First bus franchising contracts for region signed

The first buses to run under West Yorkshire's publicly controlled franchise network will begin service next spring, it has been confirmed.

First Bus and Transdev have been handed contracts to operate buses in the region by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA), which will have power to set routes and fares under the new system.

Under the deals, First West Yorkshire will run services in Huddersfield and parts of Leeds, while Transdev Blazefield will operate buses in Dewsbury.

Last month, plans to give First a contract for services were heavily criticised by the passenger group Better Buses West Yorkshire, who cited the firm's lowly rank in a national transport survey.

Gareth Forest, from the group, said in August that passengers "deserve better".

However, announcing on Tuesday that the contracts had been signed, the region's mayor, Tracy Brabin, said that the deals were "the next step to improving public transport" for passengers.

She said: "I promised to bring buses back under public control and today is a landmark moment for bus franchising.

"For the first time, operators will run buses on behalf of the people of West Yorkshire, to standards set by us."

WYCA said the contracts were signed following a "robust and competitive process".

Deals to run services in Wakefield and other parts of Leeds will begin in early 2028, WYCA said, while franchising in Bradford and Calderdale would start at the end of that year.

Those contracts have yet to be tendered.

Graham Sutherland, chief executive at FirstGroup, said the operator was "delighted to have been chosen".

Transdev managing director Henri Rohard said: "We look forward to welcoming our new colleagues and customers in Dewsbury on board as West Yorkshire begins this exciting new chapter in its public services."

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