First West Yorkshire will continue to run bus services in Huddersfield after winning one of the first new franchising contracts.
Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin takes control of the county’s buses from next year and Huddersfield will be first in the queue as franchising is rolled out from Spring 2027.
The first contracts have been signed with First running services in Huddersfield and parts of Leeds while Transdev Blazefield has been chosen to run services in Dewsbury.
Further, smaller contracts and school service contracts are also progressing and announcements are expected in the coming weeks. This follows a robust and competitive process over the last 10 months.
The mayor’s new operation has been branded as the Weaver Network with new electric buses on the way.
Franchising will be introduced in phases starting with Huddersfield and spreading across West Yorkshire through to the end of 2028.
Currently, more than 80% of the bus network is run by private operators who decide routes, frequencies and timetables, with West Yorkshire Combined Authority subsidising extra services and cheaper fares.
Under bus franchising, the Combined Authority will own the majority of buses and depots for the larger contracts, while setting routes, fares and service standards for all franchised services. Operators will be contracted to run services on its behalf.
This means greater accountability, with decisions about buses made locally and services that are designed for people, not for profit.
Mayor Brabin said: “I promised to bring buses back under public control and today is a landmark moment for bus franchising. Signing the first contracts for services is the next step to improving public transport across the region.
“For the first time, operators will run buses on behalf of the people of West Yorkshire, to standards set by us.
“Bus franchising takes us closer to our bold vision of a region-wide integrated Weaver Network and a better-connected, more reliable and affordable transport system for West Yorkshire.”
Graham Sutherland, chief executive of FirstGroup, said: “We’re delighted to have been chosen to operate services as part of the Weaver Network.
“This is a milestone for public transport in West Yorkshire, and we’re excited to help shape the next chapter of bus travel across the region.
“Drawing on our experience in the London contract and Manchester franchise market, we look forward to working in partnership with the Combined Authority to deliver a network of high-quality bus services that support local people, help communities thrive and make bus travel an attractive choice for more people.”
Transdev Blazefield managing director Henri Rohard said: “Transdev has served local communities across West Yorkshire since 2006 and has a strong reputation for delivering high-quality and reliable transportation services.
“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.”
The contracts signed this week are to run bus services registered to the Huddersfield, Dewsbury and Bramley strategic bus depots, and will not necessarily include every service running in that area.
Intention to award notifications are expected to be sent to operators for smaller contracts and school service contracts for round one of bus franchising in the coming weeks.
