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Bus franchising

It’s time to bring buses back under public control. Get set for clearer, better value fares, a more integrated network, greener buses, improved services and so much more.

14 March 2024 was a key day for the bus service in West Yorkshire. The Mayor of West Yorkshire Combined Authority announced plans to regain control of our buses through franchising.

So, what does this mean for you and your local bus service? Next stop - a better service for everyone. The Combined Authority will manage routes, frequencies, fares and overall standards for buses in the area, rather than private companies. This will start to be rolled out in 2027, with a completion date of late 2028.

Buses are the most used public transport in West Yorkshire. Millions of our residents rely on this service every year. Keep reading to learn about the benefits of this exciting change and how it will improve your daily bus experience in our region.

Benefits of bus franchising

Consistent standards. Across the whole region.

Every bus passenger in West Yorkshire should expect high customer standards. Thanks to our new franchising scheme, we are aiming to deliver more reliable, frequent and accessible services for all.

Fares that are fair. Routes and timetables that just make sense.

Say goodbye to complicated ticketing. Franchising will let us simplify fares, routes and timetables based on passenger needs, not profit. This makes the process clearer for everyone.

Better connected. Seamless travel.

Get ready for seamless travel across West Yorkshire’s buses with standardised ticketing and fares, and one point of contact. As we take control of the bus network, we will be able to run buses on the routes we choose. We will also manage the performance of service across the whole network.

We're taking sustainability seriously.

We will introduce a new fleet of 100% zero-emission buses over time as part of franchising. This will allow us to set quality standards for the vehicles operating on the network.