Wakefield to get better bus services thanks to Mayor's funding

A new bus service and improvements to several others are on the way to Wakefield thanks to funding from the Mayor of West Yorkshire.

A new service – the 157 – will provide a direct, hourly connection between Pontefract, Spital Hardwick, Castleford and Pinderfields Hospital from May, making it easier for communities across Wakefield to access health services.

Combined with the existing 147 service, buses will also run every thirty minutes between Wakefield, Altofts and Normanton - doubling the frequency for passengers. The 147 will also benefit from new evening journeys and an hourly Sunday service.

Mayor Tracy Brabin has teamed up with bus operator Arriva, providing funding to deliver the new and improved services.

Ross Travel has also been given funding to extend its 144/146 service from Pontefract to Junction 32 and Airedale every hour to replace the current 186 in this area, creating new links from Featherstone to Junction 32.

These improvements follow the announcement that disabled person’s bus pass holders in Wakefield will soon receive free all-day travel throughout the week. Currently, they must pay a full fare before 9.30am on weekdays. West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin is removing this restriction, with Wakefield benefitting from May ahead of a region-wide rollout when the Weaver Network launches in 2027.

The Mayor is bringing bus services across the region back under public control as part of the Weaver Network, giving the West Yorkshire Combined Authority the power to manage bus routes, frequencies, fares and standards.

Distinctive green Weaver buses are set to hit the roads in Wakefield from January 2028, but in the meantime the Mayor is committed to protecting and improving services

Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin said:

“Buses are the bedrock of West Yorkshire’s transport system.

“These services will better-connect communities – whether people are visiting hospital, getting to work or training, or simply seeing friends.

“We are bringing buses back under local control from next year as part of our Weaver Network, but we are not waiting around to deliver better bus services for West Yorkshire."

Since July 2023, the Combined Authority has stepped in to save 31 services across West Yorkshire following private operator cuts.

And the introduction of Mayor’s Fares – capped fares for single journeys and returns – has supported over 57 million journeys and saved passengers over £64 million.

Elsewhere in Wakefield, plans are progressing for a brand new, all-electric bus depot at Newton Bar for up to 125 zero-emission buses.

Cllr Matthew Morley, Wakefield Council's Cabinet Member for Planning, Highways and Transport, said:

“We’re really pleased that the Mayor and Arriva are bringing these new services forward. The benefits for residents will be felt straight away. These changes will make a real difference to everyone in the area who relies on public transport.”

Richard Hoare, managing director at Arriva (North) said:

“We’re pleased to be working with the Mayor and the Combined Authority to improve connectivity for communities right across West Yorkshire.

“These enhancements reflect our shared ambition for a more reliable, more accessible and better bus network for the region.

“Arriva has invested £15 million in new vehicles, with over 50 brand new buses for West Yorkshire. This investment demonstrates our commitment to supporting the region and delivering a higher quality experience for our customers.

“By working in partnership, we can provide services that help people access work, education, healthcare and the places that matter most to them.”

Notes to editors:

The new and improved services will come into effect on May 17.

147

The 147 will continue to connect Wakefield, Altofts, Normanton and Pontefract. It will run every hour on Monday to Saturday daytimes. It will run every two hours on Sunday daytimes for the full route, and every hour in conjunction with the 157. It will run every two hours all evenings from Wakefield to Normanton Market Place, and every hour in conjunction with the 157.

157

Replaces a connection that was cut previously.
The route is as follows: Wakefield – Pinderfields – Altofts - Normanton Industrial Estate - Cutsyke – Castleford – Airedale - Spital Hardwick – Pontefract. It will run every hour on Monday to Saturday daytimes. It will run every two hours on Sunday daytimes for the full route, and every hour in conjunction with the 147 Wakefield to Alfofts. It will run every two hours all evenings from Wakefield to Normanton Market Place, and every hour in conjunction with the 147.

187

Service 187, which connects Wakefield, Kirkthorpe, Normanton and Castleford, replaces the 186 between Wakefield and Castleford only. The Ross Travel 144/146 service will replace the section between Pontefract – Junction 32 and Airedale. The 157 replaces the service through Spital Hardwick.
It will run every hour on Monday to Saturday daytimes and every two hours on Sunday daytimes.