A change of buses and other forms of public transport is starting in West Yorkshire.
The new Weaver company will be taking over Metro to create a unified brand for all public transport. The West Yorkshire Combined Authority plan to bring buses back under public control.
Leaders say that this will unify all different types of public transport and overall make it easier for the public to navigate and use.
Inspired by the region’s industrial past, the new branding will visually reflect the cultural fabric of modern-day West Yorkshire.
In a response to greater Manchester’s Bee Network, the new branding will allow passengers to access buses, trams and other active travel schemes with an online app.
The plan will be to firstly launch the network in Leeds, and it will gradually make its way to other regions of West Yorkshire.
The new branding is scheduled to be completed in 2027 when buses will have been taken under local control and will later be incorporated into the West Yorkshire tram system by the beginning of 2028.
With the news of changes, Locals who are frequent public transport users share their thoughts and feelings on the new changes.
Some of the locals have expressed that they are looking forward to the new changes stating, “I think the new Weaver branding will be a positive step forward”. – James, Huddersfield.
“It’s encouraging to see some investment into public services, and I hope this will lead better and improved public transport”. -Leena Mahmood, Huddersfield.
This reflects positively on the new branding and shows the publics appreciation for investment into new and improved public services.
Simon Lightwood (MP Wakefield) has shared his thoughts on the current standard of local buses and how we can improve these services.
He states that parliament would likely want to be able to “Achieve affordable and reliable services, connecting people and helping the passengers feel safer”.
He also has a plan to “Deliver better bus services to ensure people will have better access to jobs and opportunities to earn money and power growth in every corner of West Yorkshire”.
This is the beginning to the process of a better service for all locals.