Combined Authority to launch public consultation on potential bus franchising throughout region

A wide range of people, including bus operators, organisations representing passengers and members of the public, will be asked for their views on the way buses should be run in West Yorkshire.

This follows months of detailed work resulted in an assessment, that has been independently audited, which concluded that bus franchising is the Combined Authority’s preferred option.

Bus franchising would give the Combined Authority control over the routes, frequency, fares and overall standards of the region’s buses, and contract bus operators to run these on its behalf.

The original assessment compared leaving buses as they are now with two reform options — a new partnerships with bus operators, known as ‘enhanced partnership plus’, or a proposed franchising scheme.

Ultimately, franchising was chosen as the preffered system, with the assesment claiming it would offer “clear strategic benefits”.

Following the decision, it was decided that a public consultation was needed to hear other views on the proposed franchising scheme.

Simon Warburton, Executive Director of Transport, said: "This is a big step forward on our journey towards a better-connected West Yorkshire.

“Buses provide a vital public service, but our analysis shows that the way they are run needs to change to achieve our ambitions for better buses.

"The consultation will give people and organisations from across West Yorkshire and beyond a chance to have their say on our proposals.”

West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin is set to make a final decision on how the region's buses should be run in Spring 2024.