New electric buses due to serve Huddersfield from next spring are taking shape on the production line, as passengers prepare for a chance to question Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin about the future of local services.
Huddersfield is in the first wave of the Weaver Network rollout, with Kirklees and parts of Leeds the first areas to get publicly controlled bus services from spring 2027.
The Mayor of West Yorkshire has visited the Wrightbus factory in Northern Ireland to see the new fleet being assembled.
Wrightbus won the contract to build almost 200 electric buses in May. They will form the first fleet owned by West Yorkshire Combined Authority and leased to operators under the new franchising system.
Under franchising, the combined authority will set fares and routes and hold operators to account, with the aim of making services more reliable.
And Huddersfield passengers will be able to put questions about fares, reliability, accessibility and safety directly to the mayor at a special bus edition of ‘West Yorkshire Mayor’s Question Time’ at Greenhead College on Thursday October 22.
Mayor Brabin previously lived in Slaithwaite and was a regular user of public transport in the Colne Valley. She’s since moved to Leeds.
The new buses will have USB charging, air conditioning and more space for wheelchair users, alongside flexible space for pushchairs and luggage.
Passengers had a chance to comment on the interior designs during a consultation earlier this year.
There is also a local manufacturing link, as the seat covers will be produced by Camira Fabrics, which has manufacturing sites in Meltham and Huddersfield.
Christian Reynolds, managing director of Wrightbus, said: “The UK supply chain is an important part of our success and it’s particularly pleasing to see Yorkshire businesses such as Camira Fabrics playing a part in the project.”
Speaking at the factory, Mayor Brabin said: “Across West Yorkshire we are already seeing signs of our new Weaver Network, with new bus shelters and the opening of Heckmondwike Bus Station.
“And seeing the new electric buses on the production line is another exciting step on our journey to franchising, before they’re rolling through our cities, towns and countryside.
“I can’t wait to see these new buses on our streets as part of a fully integrated transport network under the Weaver Network, providing a better-connected West Yorkshire that works for all.”
The first contracts for the network have now been signed, with operators taking on routes across Kirklees and Leeds. Publicly controlled services will be introduced in stages across West Yorkshire between spring 2027 and late 2028.
The region is also getting 33 new low-emission AccessBus vehicles, built by Rochdale manufacturer Mellor.
AccessBus provides door-to-door transport for people who find conventional public transport difficult to use. The new vehicles have low-floor access and extra room for wheelchairs and mobility aids.
The Huddersfield question time event takes place at Greenhead College, on Greenhead Road, from 6.30pm to 8pm on Thursday, October 22. Doors open at 6pm.
Tickets are free but advance booking is required. Book a place here.
