Mass Transit in West Yorkshire

We’re exploring Mass Transit options: new forms of transport that could transform our network and make it even more accessible for everyone.

A new way to travel around West Yorkshire

Tracy Brabin On A Tram

We believe West Yorkshire is a truly special place to live and work. There’s so much on offer. But people can’t enjoy or benefit from what they can’t easily reach. No one should be limited or restricted by where they live. Because restricted travel means restricted opportunities.

Even with all the improvements we have planned for our trains, buses, walking and cycling routes, we still won’t have completed the transport network our region wants, needs and deserves. Not without the addition of something new, ambitious and transformative.

That’s why we’re exploring Mass Transit options: new forms of transport, not currently used in West Yorkshire, that could transform our public transport network and make it even more accessible for everyone.

Mass Transit in West Yorkshire

Mass Transit is the name given to a large-scale public transport system, designed to move lots of people around urban areas quickly and efficiently. 

Our clear vision is that this is just the start of a truly integrated network connecting all of West Yorkshire and bringing easy, fast and accessible transport choices to communities right across the region.

Mass Transit Phase one

Right now, in West Yorkshire we’re focusing on trams. Phase one will see trams connecting communities between Bradford and Leeds and from south Leeds to the city centre. 

Future phases of this joined up network could use other transport modes like light rail or high-speed bus. We want to make sure that the mode we use suits the area it services and that Mass Transit works for everyone.

The journey so far

In summer 2024, almost 5000 people had their say in our Mass Transit route options consultation.

We asked for your views on 10 route options, which would see a tram linking Leeds and Bradford and from south Leeds to the city centre.

View the full outcome report

To find out what we have already consulted on, you can read the Mass Transit phase one consultation brochure

View the phase one consultation brochure

Next steps

Now that we’ve gathered your feedback on our proposed route options, we are carefully considering your input as we continue with further environmental and technical assessments. These evaluations will help us make informed decisions about our preferred scheme.

Throughout the year, we will continue engaging with potentially affected landowners and consulting with key stakeholders. Our goal is to ensure that the network we build is shaped by the voices of everyone involved.

 

Mass Transit Illustration Leeds
Mass Transit Illustration Bradford

FAQs

What were the Leeds Line and Bradford Line tram route proposals?

Between 15 July and 30 September 2024, we consulted on proposals for two tram lines, the Leeds Line and the Bradford Line.

Proposed plans for the Leeds Line

The Leeds Line proposes options that connect key landmarks and offers unique benefits, from improved access to our hospitals, jobs, universities and colleges to enhancement to our beautiful green spaces.

Proposed plans for the Bradford Line

For the Bradford Line, the proposed options promise to redefine the urban journey from Bradford city centre to Leeds city centre, improve public spaces, drive economic growth, and ensure faster, more reliable access to essential destinations, while linking key communities in between.

Mass Transit plans for West Yorkshire

A new Mass Transit system for West Yorkshire will be fully integrated with cycling, walking, bus and rail. This will be a transformational investment for our region, encouraging businesses to invest in the North and in turn creating new job opportunities for our residents, benefitting generations to come.

But this is just the beginning, as the first phase gets underway, we will continue to develop our plans for the rest of the region. In parallel we will continue to work with Kirklees Council on the Dewsbury Line development project, as well as Calderdale Council and Wakefield Council for future phases. We’ll do everything we can to make sure that no part of West Yorkshire is left behind.

Why do we need a Mass Transit network in West Yorkshire?

Even with all the improvements we have planned for our existing train, bus, walking, cycling, and driving infrastructure, public transport is often still overcrowded, and roads are congested, especially during rush hour. If we do nothing, these issues will only continue to worsen so we need to act now.

Mass Transit can help fix these issues. We can increase our transport capacity as trams are able to carry approximately four times the number of passengers of a typical bus. Trams can also be segregated from traffic, spending less time sat in traffic jams, making them quicker and more reliable than other modes. It will be integrated with the bus, rail, walking and cycling network making journeys seamless for all.

Mass Transit is essential to bringing people and places closer together, to helping our communities thrive and economy flourish.

How will Mass Transit be delivered?

Development of the whole network will be a long-term project which will be delivered in phases. We propose that phase one be a tram that will connect Bradford and Leeds and St James’s University Hospital with South Leeds.

A phased approach has proven successful in other city regions which have delivered Mass Transit systems of a similar size and scale, like Manchester and the West Midlands.

Delivering phases in a sequenced approach will help maintain our momentum and enable the network to grow over time to meet the travel demands of people in the region and deliver long lasting benefits.

How much will Mass Transit cost and how will it be funded?

Mass Transit will be a considerable investment and would deliver substantial benefits to West Yorkshire, for generations to come.

The government has allocated an initial £200 million to develop our Mass Transit plans between now and 2027. This would cover design, consultation, environmental appraisal, consenting and some initial enabling works.

When will Mass Transit be built and when will we be able to travel on it?

Phase one is planned to begin construction in 2028 and begin operation by the early 2030s.

What needs to happen before construction can begin?

Before building work can begin, there are a series of consultation and legal processes we need to complete.

Our consultation on the options for initial routes has now closed. Once the emerging preferred routes have been chosen, we will be holding a further consultation in early 2026. There will be plenty of opportunities to have your say and help shape Mass Transit.

The consultations will help inform the ongoing work we will be doing to prepare our Transport and Works Act Order (TWAO) submissions, the legal process that provides consent for us to start construction.

What consultation and engagement has happened so far?

2021: We consulted on the Connectivity Plan and Mass Transit Vision 2040, which asked for views on proposed corridors.

2022 – 2023: We asked for your views on a revised version of the Mass Transit Vision 2040 document.

2024: We consulted on proposed route options for phase one Mass Transit.

Next steps: We will evaluate the results from the phase one consultation along with ongoing environmental assessment and design refinements to determine an emerging preferred scheme for the Leeds line and the Bradford line. The full consultation outcome report can be found on our Your Voice site.

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  2. Improving transport

    We play a vital role in developing better transport networks across the region, working with the region’s bus and train operators to improve services and offer better value for money.