New measures to support travel for Covid vaccinations appointments in West Yorkshire

The West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) has announced its Vaccination Transport Plan as the mass vaccination programme gathers pace.

Four larger community vaccination centres for West Yorkshire have been confirmed at Leeds United’s Elland Road Stadium, Jacobs Well in Bradford, John Smith’s Stadium in Huddersfield and at Wakefield’s Spectrum Community Healthcare CIC, together with smaller sites throughout the region.

From Monday February 8, rules around concessionary travel will be relaxed as holders of free bus passes will be able to travel free on public transport before 9.30am if they are going to or from a coronavirus vaccination appointment.

Pass holders will be asked to show their appointment letters, texts or emails to the bus driver. There will be new signs directing people to the main vaccination centres at the nearby bus stations.

Through our A Shot In The Arm campaign, the Courier and sister titles across JPIMedia are urging Prime Minister Boris Johnson to deploy the country’s network of 11,000 pharmacies to ensure that every citizen is only a short walk away from a vaccination centre.

Councillor Kim Groves, chairperson of the WYCA transport committee said: “It is vital everyone is able to attend their vaccination appointment.

“We need to make this as easy as possible for people.”