West Yorkshire Combined Authority is taking back control of buses through a process called bus franchising. From Spring 2027, the Combined Authority will set bus routes, timetables and fares instead of private companies. This is the biggest change to buses in West Yorkshire for decades. By late 2028, all bus services across the region will be under public control as part of the Weaver Network.
Bus franchising is another way of saying that our bus network for the majority of services is coming under the control of the Combined Authority, rather than private companies.
In March 2024, the Mayor of West Yorkshire announced plans to regain control of our buses through franchising. This will allow us to create a more reliable, better value and better connected bus network for the region.
Next stop – a better service for everyone. The Combined Authority will manage routes, frequencies, fares and overall standards for West Yorkshire buses. This will start to be rolled out in 2027 as part of our joined-up Weaver Network, 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.
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.
Say goodbye to complicated ticketing. By bringing buses back under public control we will be able to simplify fares, routes and timetables based on passenger needs, not profit. This makes the process clearer for everyone.
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.
The new Weaver Network promises a more seamless passenger experience. Get ready for joined-up bus journeys with co-ordinated timetables, consistency across ticketing, journey planning and real-time information, plus the potential for one ticket to cover multiple modes of transport in the future.
New forms of transport are the way forward for accessibility and connectivity in our region. Discover more about our plans for trams and more.
New forms of transport are the way forward for accessibility and connectivity in our region. Discover more about our plans for trams and more.
Trains are a vital part of the West Yorkshire transport system, connecting us to other parts of the country in a clean, green and efficient way.
Trains are a vital part of the West Yorkshire transport system, connecting us to other parts of the country in a clean, green and efficient way.
