Further £90m approved for new electric buses

2 days ago

Charles HeslettWest Yorkshire political reporter

The Weaver Network will roll out from spring 2027 and will be publicly-controlled

Weaver Network Four people stand in front of a green double-decker bus with buildings behind. The people are holding two banners that read 'Weaver Network' and 'Better buses for West Yorkshire'. The sign on the side of the bus reads 'Weaver Network: We'll get you there'. — The Weaver Network will roll out from spring 2027 and will be publicly-controlled

Plans to spend a further £90m on a fleet of publicly-owned electric buses for West Yorkshire have been approved.

The buses will be franchised but fares, routes and timetables will be set by the authority as part of its Weaver Network.

Today's decision by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) follows an agreement last October to approve a deposit of £30m to start production of 193 zero emission vehicles.

The £90m will fund the remainder of the fleet, as well as a possible 63 more vehicles. Brabin said: "This investment demonstrates our commitment to building a better-connected West Yorkshire with a bus network that is fit for the future."

The mayor confirmed last month on BBC Radio Leeds' Message the Mayor programme that the new fleet would be air conditioned.

She said: "The new ones, they will have air conditioning.

"However, of course, we will be taking a fleet from [existing] bus operators. There will be a process of transition."

She said some older vehicles would be re-purposed for Weaver but the fleet would "get fully electric over the next few years."

West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin said all new buses will have air conditioning

A woman with blonde hair and wearing a cream blouse sitting in a radio studio with a purple backdrop — West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin said all new buses will have air conditioning

The new buses are being be built by Northern Ireland-based Wrightbus.

Brabin said: "Dozens of state-of-the-art electric buses are on the production line as we speak, while work is ongoing to bring depots and facilities into public control.

"The Weaver Network and its buses will be the pride of West Yorkshire."

The Weaver Network is the region's new, integrated transport network which aims to join up buses, trains, a mass transit system (trams), walking, wheeling and cycling under one name.

WYCA has started a process to select operators to run the bus services on its behalf.

Round one of the franchised bus network is expected to be up and running in May 2027 and is expected to include buses primarily operating in Kirklees, Dewsbury, Huddersfield and parts of Leeds.

Round two will include services mainly covering the Five Towns - Castleford, Featherstone, Knottingley, Pontefract, and Normanton - parts of Leeds and Wakefield, and is expected to be running in early 2028.

WYCA hopes the network will be fully franchised later that year.

The rest of West Yorkshire, including Bradford, Calderdale and parts of Wakefield, will be included in round three.

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