Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin is inviting the public to have their say about the buses.

The mayor has launched her Big Bus Chat online but there will also be in-person consultation at Huddersfield Bus Station in August.

Bus passenger numbers have yet to return to pre-pandemic levels and the Government has said it will stop Covid support grants in October, which the mayor says could put 62 ‘unprofitable’ West Yorkshire routes at risk.

Services in parts of Kirklees operated by Arriva Yorkshire have been hit by strike action which was due to resume at 2am today (Wednesday July 13) after Unite members rejected a pay offer.

As part of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s Bus Service Improvement Plan, £25 million is available to spend on new and improved bus services.

Together with the online survey at https://www.yourvoice.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/bigbuschat drop-in sessions will be held across West Yorkshire during July, August and September where people can talk to West Yorkshire Combined Authority staff.

The results of the survey will be used when planning service and other improvements.

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Ms Brabin, who lives in Slaithwaite and uses the bus herself, said: “When I was elected mayor, I said I’d improve our region’s bus services.

“We’re going to reduce single fares to £2 and the cost of a day ticket to £4.50 from September, and we’ve got funding to buy over 100 new zero emission buses, almost one-tenth of the buses on our roads.

“Now I want to know what we can do about bus services themselves. Whether you use buses every day, once in a while or not at all I want to hear from you, through my Big Bus Chat.

“It’s been a tough time for the bus industry and passengers recently, and I want to make sure that our bus network is fit for purpose.”

Ms Brabin added: “Cuts after the pandemic have left communities isolated from the thriving region around them.

“I also hear from people about how confusing the local network is to understand and use. During this cost-of-living crisis, people tell me jumping on a bus is unaffordable or just not worth the price of boarding.

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“But I am determined to change all this. I want buses to be the first choice for travel in West Yorkshire – not because you don’t have a car but because buses are more affordable, convenient to use and better for the environment.

“Are there services to take you to health centres, shops, employment? Can they get you to see family friends for a night out, or a night in?

“I’m encouraging everyone to please fill in the survey at mayorsbigbuschat.co.uk and let me know your views.”

The survey will be open until September 11 with drop-in sessions at Dewsbury Bus Station on Wednesday July 27 (10.30am-1.30pm) and Huddersfield Bus Station on Thursday August 18 (10am-1pm).

Details of all the drop-in events can be found at https://www.yourvoice.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/bigbuschat