Bradford elected members are urging that their area receive the new Weaver Network bus franchise ahead of the current timetable.
The publicly-controlled bus network is being introduced across West Yorkshire through a phased franchising programme that will transfer operational authority from private operators to the West Yorkshire Combined Authority.
Under this structure, the regional authority will determine service frequencies, ticket pricing and route configurations rather than individual bus companies.
The implementation schedule places Bradford eighteen months behind other parts of West Yorkshire.
However, Council Leader Stephen Place (Reform UK) has formally requested that Mayor Tracy Brabin revise the timeline to expedite Bradford’s inclusion in the second phase of the programme.
According to the implementation schedule, the first phase will launch in Kirklees, Dewsbury and Huddersfield along with portions of Leeds during spring 2027.
The second phase, scheduled for early 2028, encompasses the Five Towns area including Castleford, Featherstone, Knottingley, Normanton and Pontefract alongside additional parts of Leeds and Wakefield.
The third phase, covering Bradford, Calderdale and remaining portions of Wakefield, is currently set for late 2028.
A report presented at last week’s executive meeting acknowledged certain advantages to Bradford’s later implementation.
The document noted that the district would gain from observing earlier rollouts and applying those lessons to its own launch.
The phased structure would also allow further collaboration with the combined authority to ensure local requirements regarding employment, education, healthcare access and district centre connectivity were incorporated into network planning.
The report further indicated that franchising would facilitate improved integration between bus services and broader transport schemes such as Mass Transit, rail enhancements and active travel infrastructure.
Officials recognised that while the franchising process involves considerable complexity, opportunities to advance certain bus service and infrastructure improvements within Phase 2 would be pursued where feasible.
One significant advantage highlighted for Bradford concerns the transition to clean transportation.
The authority has secured eight million pounds in funding through the Joint Air Quality Unit for the electrification of the Bowling Back Lane depot.
This investment is projected to enable approximately ninety electric buses to enter the Bradford fleet from 2027, representing one of the district’s most substantial commitments to cleaner vehicle technology and expected to deliver meaningful improvements in air quality alongside reduced carbon emissions while supporting the council’s environmental and public health goals.
Councillor Place indicated that pressure on the Mayor would continue regarding the acceleration of bus franchising to move Bradford from the third to the second phase of implementation.
The franchising proposals will come before the Weaver Network Board on Thursday.