Bus Reform

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Have your say on how buses are run in West Yorkshire

The West Yorkshire Combined Authority (the Combined Authority) believes it needs to change the way local buses are run to achieve our ambitions for better buses in West Yorkshire. This webpage gives you details about our proposals and how you can get involved.


This consultation runs from 10 October 2023 to 7 January 2024


Buses are the most used form of public transport in West Yorkshire, with over 1.7 million bus journeys taken each week – but the number of passenger journeys are in long term decline and the industry faces many challenges with the way buses are currently run.

The Combined Authority believes that the way local buses are run needs to change to improve the local bus system for our communities who rely on it. The information in this consultation explains why the Combined Authority recommends bus franchising is the right way to do this, based on its assessment of the Proposed Franchising Scheme.

The Consultation Document sets out our plan for franchising in West Yorkshire and how this could be introduced. It also explores an alternative option we assessed, the Enhanced Partnership Plus (EP+), which details what else the Combined Authority and bus operators could do to improve local buses through the current legal framework. These two bus reform options are compared to the way buses are currently run, the Enhanced Partnership Reference Case (EP Reference Case).


This consultation will inform a decision by the Mayor of West Yorkshire on whether or not to introduce the Proposed Franchising Scheme in March 2024.


Should the Mayor make the decision to introduce franchising then buses in the region would be under the control of the Combined Authority. That means we would set the routes, frequency, fares and overall standards of buses in our region.

The Combined Authority wants to hear your views.

All information can be found in The Consultation Document (Link, opens in new tab)

To answer some of your questions and queries, please read our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). You will also find the legal requirements for this consultation within our FAQs.

Have your say

This consultation is open to all individuals or organisations. We want your views, whether you currently use the bus or not.

We are asking for your feedback and suggest two steps.

To help answer any initial queries you have, you can read our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). The FAQs also tell you where you can find paper reference copies of the Consultation Document in your local area.

  • Step 2: Tell us what you think by completing our online consultation questionnaire (link below) or alternatively sending us your response by email or letter.

The consultation is open between 10 October 2023 and 7 January 2024.

The consultation questions

There are two versions of the consultation questionnaire:

  • The short version contains 10 questions which are set out throughout the Executive Summary (see section 1) and are focussed on key areas discussed in the Consultation Document. A full list of these questions is also available in the printable section on this page (Link, opens new tab). If you choose to answer this short version you should find all the information you need included in the Executive Summary.

  • The long version contains 47 questions which are set out throughout the Consultation Document following the Executive Summary. A full list of these questions is also available in the printable section on this page (Link, opens new tab). The long version may be more appropriate for respondents who have a good level of knowledge and interest in the bus market and how it runs, as it contains more questions, some of which are more complex in nature.

You are welcome to fill out whichever questionnaire you wish, and you don’t have to answer all the questions.


Have your say on how West Yorkshire's buses are run- image

Sharing feedback about specific bus journeys or services

This consultation is not intended to capture operational West Yorkshire bus issues such as reliability, frequency, requests for new routes etc. For any general bus feedback, queries or complaints, you can contact Metro through their website or call MetroLine on 0113 245 7676. Alternatively, you can contact bus operators directly. Operator contact information can be found online here.

Events

We will be hosting a series of face-to-face events as part of this consultation. At the events, you will have the opportunity to ask your own questions to the project team and pick up copies of the consultation questionnaire.

Drop In event:

  • Leeds Trinity University; Thursday 7th December; 9am- 1pm
    • Brownberrie Ln, Horsforth, Leeds LS18 5HD

All other Drop In events have now finished. The locations and dates we visited can be found in our FAQs.

We are hosting five presentation events where you can learn more about the proposals for bus reform, how to have your say on how you think buses should be run, and ask us any questions.

The events will run for 90 minutes and include:

  • Welcome by a local Councillor responsible for transport engagement.

  • Video presentation from the Combined Authority’s Executive Director of Transport – providing an overview of the Bus Reform consultation.

  • Q&As with Combined Authority officers – facilitated by DJS Research

Presentation events dates and times:

LocationDateTimeRegistration Link
Bradford City Hall23 November 202314:00- 15:30This event has already happened
Bradford City Hall23 November 202317:30- 19:00This event has already happened
Halifax Town Hall27 November 202314:00- 15:30This event has already happened
Halifax Town Hall27 November 202317:30- 19:00This event has already happened
Leeds Central Library4 December 202314:00- 15:30This event has already happened
Leeds Central Library4 December 202317:30- 19:00This event has already happened
Huddersfield Hudawi Centre5 December 202314:00- 15:30Click Here to Register
Huddersfield Hudawi Centre5 December 202317:30- 19:00Click Here to Register
Wakefield Town Hall8 December 202314:00- 15:30Click Here to Register
Wakefield Town Hall8 December 202317:30- 19:00Click Here to Register


Please confirm your attendance as soon as possible. Registration is essential, and spaces are available on a first-come first-served basis.

Webinars

We will also be hosting some online webinars as part of this consultation. During the webinars you will have the opportunity to hear about the consultation and ask your own questions to the project team.

Webinar dates and times:


If you are unable to access our events and would like to chat to a member of the project team, please contact us using the contact information below.

Contact us

To give your feedback on the proposals, please take part in the consultation questionnaire via the link above. If you have any questions, need to respond in a different way or require consultation materials in a different format, you can get in touch with us via:


We look forward to hearing your thoughts and comments.

What happens next:

All responses will be received and processed by the Combined Authority and shared with DJS Research to be analysed as part of the consultation process.

All feedback will be considered by the Combined Authority and the Mayor. The Mayor’s decision on whether or not to make the Proposed Franchising Scheme is currently expected in March 2024.

Please see our FAQ: What happens next for more information.


Have your say on how buses are run in West Yorkshire

The West Yorkshire Combined Authority (the Combined Authority) believes it needs to change the way local buses are run to achieve our ambitions for better buses in West Yorkshire. This webpage gives you details about our proposals and how you can get involved.


This consultation runs from 10 October 2023 to 7 January 2024


Buses are the most used form of public transport in West Yorkshire, with over 1.7 million bus journeys taken each week – but the number of passenger journeys are in long term decline and the industry faces many challenges with the way buses are currently run.

The Combined Authority believes that the way local buses are run needs to change to improve the local bus system for our communities who rely on it. The information in this consultation explains why the Combined Authority recommends bus franchising is the right way to do this, based on its assessment of the Proposed Franchising Scheme.

The Consultation Document sets out our plan for franchising in West Yorkshire and how this could be introduced. It also explores an alternative option we assessed, the Enhanced Partnership Plus (EP+), which details what else the Combined Authority and bus operators could do to improve local buses through the current legal framework. These two bus reform options are compared to the way buses are currently run, the Enhanced Partnership Reference Case (EP Reference Case).


This consultation will inform a decision by the Mayor of West Yorkshire on whether or not to introduce the Proposed Franchising Scheme in March 2024.


Should the Mayor make the decision to introduce franchising then buses in the region would be under the control of the Combined Authority. That means we would set the routes, frequency, fares and overall standards of buses in our region.

The Combined Authority wants to hear your views.

All information can be found in The Consultation Document (Link, opens in new tab)

To answer some of your questions and queries, please read our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). You will also find the legal requirements for this consultation within our FAQs.

Have your say

This consultation is open to all individuals or organisations. We want your views, whether you currently use the bus or not.

We are asking for your feedback and suggest two steps.

To help answer any initial queries you have, you can read our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). The FAQs also tell you where you can find paper reference copies of the Consultation Document in your local area.

  • Step 2: Tell us what you think by completing our online consultation questionnaire (link below) or alternatively sending us your response by email or letter.

The consultation is open between 10 October 2023 and 7 January 2024.

The consultation questions

There are two versions of the consultation questionnaire:

  • The short version contains 10 questions which are set out throughout the Executive Summary (see section 1) and are focussed on key areas discussed in the Consultation Document. A full list of these questions is also available in the printable section on this page (Link, opens new tab). If you choose to answer this short version you should find all the information you need included in the Executive Summary.

  • The long version contains 47 questions which are set out throughout the Consultation Document following the Executive Summary. A full list of these questions is also available in the printable section on this page (Link, opens new tab). The long version may be more appropriate for respondents who have a good level of knowledge and interest in the bus market and how it runs, as it contains more questions, some of which are more complex in nature.

You are welcome to fill out whichever questionnaire you wish, and you don’t have to answer all the questions.


Have your say on how West Yorkshire's buses are run- image

Sharing feedback about specific bus journeys or services

This consultation is not intended to capture operational West Yorkshire bus issues such as reliability, frequency, requests for new routes etc. For any general bus feedback, queries or complaints, you can contact Metro through their website or call MetroLine on 0113 245 7676. Alternatively, you can contact bus operators directly. Operator contact information can be found online here.

Events

We will be hosting a series of face-to-face events as part of this consultation. At the events, you will have the opportunity to ask your own questions to the project team and pick up copies of the consultation questionnaire.

Drop In event:

  • Leeds Trinity University; Thursday 7th December; 9am- 1pm
    • Brownberrie Ln, Horsforth, Leeds LS18 5HD

All other Drop In events have now finished. The locations and dates we visited can be found in our FAQs.

We are hosting five presentation events where you can learn more about the proposals for bus reform, how to have your say on how you think buses should be run, and ask us any questions.

The events will run for 90 minutes and include:

  • Welcome by a local Councillor responsible for transport engagement.

  • Video presentation from the Combined Authority’s Executive Director of Transport – providing an overview of the Bus Reform consultation.

  • Q&As with Combined Authority officers – facilitated by DJS Research

Presentation events dates and times:

LocationDateTimeRegistration Link
Bradford City Hall23 November 202314:00- 15:30This event has already happened
Bradford City Hall23 November 202317:30- 19:00This event has already happened
Halifax Town Hall27 November 202314:00- 15:30This event has already happened
Halifax Town Hall27 November 202317:30- 19:00This event has already happened
Leeds Central Library4 December 202314:00- 15:30This event has already happened
Leeds Central Library4 December 202317:30- 19:00This event has already happened
Huddersfield Hudawi Centre5 December 202314:00- 15:30Click Here to Register
Huddersfield Hudawi Centre5 December 202317:30- 19:00Click Here to Register
Wakefield Town Hall8 December 202314:00- 15:30Click Here to Register
Wakefield Town Hall8 December 202317:30- 19:00Click Here to Register


Please confirm your attendance as soon as possible. Registration is essential, and spaces are available on a first-come first-served basis.

Webinars

We will also be hosting some online webinars as part of this consultation. During the webinars you will have the opportunity to hear about the consultation and ask your own questions to the project team.

Webinar dates and times:


If you are unable to access our events and would like to chat to a member of the project team, please contact us using the contact information below.

Contact us

To give your feedback on the proposals, please take part in the consultation questionnaire via the link above. If you have any questions, need to respond in a different way or require consultation materials in a different format, you can get in touch with us via:


We look forward to hearing your thoughts and comments.

What happens next:

All responses will be received and processed by the Combined Authority and shared with DJS Research to be analysed as part of the consultation process.

All feedback will be considered by the Combined Authority and the Mayor. The Mayor’s decision on whether or not to make the Proposed Franchising Scheme is currently expected in March 2024.

Please see our FAQ: What happens next for more information.

Questions & Answers

If you have any questions about the consultation or project, let us know below.

Please note, your user name and question will be visible to others, so please don't include any personal details.

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  • Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link

    I was wondering if for the last 4/5 163 buses leaving from the bus station in castleford they could leave at the end of the hour instead of quarter too to allow myself and many other passengers who board the 141 bus to from pontefract to Leeds where it arrives at around ten to so we usually have to wait around 50 mins to an hour for the 163 bus which is inconvenient to many passengers. Thank you for accepting my question and I hope you get back to me about this query.

    Elliot asked about 1 month ago

    Hello, Thank you for your comment. This consultation is not intended to capture operational West Yorkshire bus issues such as reliability, frequency, requests for new routes etc. For any general bus feedback, queries or complaints, you can contact Metro through their website or call MetroLine on 0113 245 7676. Alternatively, you can contact bus operators directly. Operator contact information can be found online here: Bus Operators | Metro (wymetro.com)

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    Currently Leeds bus services are very poor. They are unreliable, get cancelled without any warning. The other day I just missed the 33/34/A1 bus from Horsforth into Leeds. I then had to wait 45 minutes for a bus. The 3 buses all three of these buses all arrived within minutes of each other. Will there be any major improvements and can bus services return to every 20 minutes as per pre pandemic?

    Slim-man 53 asked about 1 month ago
    Hello, Thank you for your comment, we are sorry to hear about your experiences. 

    The subject of this consultation is having your say on how buses are run, and we have looked to provide that information in the Consultation Document and supporting information on YourVoice. 

    Two governance options are set out which involve differences in the roles and responsibilities of bus operators and the Combined Authority. These are the Enhanced Partnership Plus (the EP+) and the Proposed Franchising Scheme. More details on these governance models are available in the Consultation Document.

    Our ambition for better bus services under either option is set out in the Strategic Case section of the consultation document and draws on our Bus Service Improvement Plan, published in 2021. We are clear in our ambition to grow the network and improve the experience for passengers. 

    For specific operational bus issues such as reliability, frequency, requests for new routes etc. For any general bus feedback, queries or complaints, you can contact Metro through their website or call MetroLine on 0113 245 7676. Alternatively, you can contact bus operators directly. Operator contact information can be found online here: Bus Operators | Metro (wymetro.com) 
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    Why have the buses from Ilkley to Skipton been reduced from hourly to every two hours at times and why not run later?

    David Lambourne asked about 1 month ago

    Hello, Thank you for your comment. This consultation is not intended to capture operational bus issues such as reliability, frequency, requests for new routes etc. For any general bus feedback, queries or complaints, you can contact Metro through their website or call MetroLine on 0113 245 7676. Alternatively, you can contact bus operators directly. Operator contact information can be found online here: Bus Operators | Metro (wymetro.com)  

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    Will losses be underpinned by council tax? What’s the financial risk to Leeds Council Taxpayers?

    Buzz asked about 1 month ago
    Hello. Thank you for your query. 

    Content related to finances and financial risk of the bus reform options can be found in the Financial Case sections of the Consultation Document and the Assessment. 
    The Financial Case of the assessment sets out the financial impact of each option to determine affordability and fundability. It also outlines the existing sources of funding for bus and additional sources of funding that could be considered. This includes the existing contribution of local authorities, such as Leeds City Council, through the Transport Levy. 
    In the Assessment the same budget is assumed for all reform options, and the financial case then considers what level of bus service provision can be provided under each option for the same amount of funding available.  It is therefore not assumed that losses are underpinned, but that services are reduced accordingly each year if there is no further funding available. 


    A description of the financial risks for each option can be found in the consultation document and in the Financial Case. Under Franchising the Combined Authority would carry more risk, in particular as it would take on responsibility for managing budgets and farebox revenue. These are risks that would be carried by the Combined Authority. 
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    Why isn't there more information about what this 'Bus Reform' is? Will this be an improved service or more cuts?

    JacP asked about 2 months ago
    Thank you for your question on what Bus Reform is. The subject of this consultation is having your say on how buses are run, and we have looked to provide that information in the Consultation Document and supporting information on YourVoice. 

    Two governance options are set out which involve differences in the roles and responsibilities of bus operators and the Combined Authority. These are the Enhanced Partnership Plus (the EP+) and the Proposed Franchising Scheme. More details on these governance models are available in the Consultation Document.

    Our ambition for bus services under either option is set out in the Strategic Case section of the consultation document and draws on our Bus Service Improvement Plan, published in 2021. We are clear in our ambition to grow the network and improve the experience for passengers. 

    On the issue of cuts, the Bus Reform Assessment modelling shows that across all options, the challenge of ongoing bus patronage decline would remain and may require service cuts unless further investment and / or interventions are applied to significantly increase passenger demand and / or cover the cost of maintaining current service levels. A key consideration of bus reform is to increase the control and influence the Combined Authority has over decisions about network changes and other challenges facing the bus system, to work towards our ambitions.
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    We need a better local council owned busses or have OUR very own Local Run Busses for Leeds. Can it be done?

    Raj asked about 2 months ago
    Many thanks for your question regarding local council owned buses or local run buses for Leeds.

    Legally, the Combined Authority cannot own a bus company and therefore has not been included within the Assessment of options for Bus Reform.

    Our consultation sets out two options for the future governance of bus - the Enhanced Partnership Plus (the EP+) and the Proposed Franchising Scheme. Under the EP+ private operators would continue to set the majority of routes, fares, timetables and standards for services in West Yorkshire. Bus operators would continue to be responsible for providing buses and for the standards of these.

    The second option, the Proposed Franchising Scheme, would see the Combined Authority take control over the routes, fares, timetables and standards for services. Under Franchising, bus services would be operated under franchise contracts, where bus operators would bid to run the services. The Combined Authority would look to own buses and depots which would be awarded to the successful bidder for franchise contracts.

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    Is there a reason why there isn't a online web based consultation questionnaire form? By making this consultation response via a word document you are: 1. Expecting people to have access to Microsoft Office or another program capable of opening the file. 2. Expecting users to have access to a printer in order to send to your freepost address. This will mean a reduced response rate to your questionnaire.

    . asked about 2 months ago
    Thank you for getting in touch. The online questionnaire can be found on the Your Voice page here.
    The direct link to the online questionnaire is also here. 
    We have now added additional wording on the webpage to make it more clear that the survey is available online. 
  • Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link

    Wetherby has been spelled as Weatherby on p149 of the consultation document . How did that slip through?

    Blondie asked about 2 months ago

    Thank you for your comments. The spelling mistake has been corrected now.

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    Why is there no planned face-to-face Public Consultations in Keighley, the largest town in the Bradford Metropolitan District. Is this because the bus services are clean, punctual and well-run in Keighley and you fear receiving too many positive comments regarding the current operator?

    Graham MItchell asked about 2 months ago

    Hello, thank you for providing your positive feedback about your local bus service. The current planned drop in event locations have been chosen to support inclusion and accessibility in communities that face social and economic deprivation. We have also planned 30 flyering events around high footfall areas and transport hubs across West Yorkshire - including Keighley Bus Station - to signpost individuals to the consultation in the hope we can reach as many peope as possible. We will also be planning further webinars and face-to-face events, the details of which will be advertised on this webpage.

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    Where is Heavy Woolen?

    JamesK asked about 2 months ago

    Hello,

    Thank you for your question. 

    Heavy Woolen is a name we have given to one of our proposed 10 franchising scheme lotting zones.  The name has historical origins, reflecting the textile-focused industrial development in the area, made up of parts of the modern day boroughs of Kirklees, Leeds and Wakefield. The area is located around the towns of Dewsbury, Batley, Heckmondwike and Ossett and extends to the towns and villages of Liversedge, Gomersal, Gildersome, Birkenshaw, Mirfield, Cleckheaton, Morley, Tingley, East Ardsley, Birstall and Horbury.

Page last updated: 05 Dec 2023, 10:24 AM