Local Transport Plan and Other DFT Funding

Project overview

The AccessBus service provides door to door transport to local facilities within each district of West Yorkshire and is mainly aimed at those with limited mobility.

West Yorkshire Combined Authority provides 33 fully accessible minibuses to be used to deliver the service and was recently awarded a £422,000 grant from Department of Transport to replace the vehicle exhaust systems and reduce emissions. In addition to which, £473,000 was made available through the Local Transport Plan for the refurbishment of the vehicles to more modern standards, including re-livery of the vehicles, full CCTV and fitment of digital destination systems. 

Last updated in Q4 2019/2020

Project overview

• The Bradford Interchange Resurfacing Works project, formerly Bradford Interchange Carriageway Works, is a transport scheme funded by the Local Transport Plan programme. The project will involve the complete resurfacing of the carriageway at Bradford Interchange, and any other incidental works/repairs identified.  
• The project is critical to maintain and protect this public asset and allow the continued, safe operation of this public transport facility. This is one of the key priorities set out in the West Yorkshire Transport Asset Development Plan (see below).
• The repair and refurbishment of the carriageway is required before further projects to improve Bradford Interchange can be delivered.

Project benefits

• Allow continued, undisrupted operation of Bradford Interchange.
• Prevent areas of deterioration increasing further and therefore prevent more serious disruption.
• Reduce health and safety risk caused by deteriorating condition.

Last updated in Quarter 1 2023

Project overview

West Yorkshire Combined Authority is working together with the City Region’s major bus companies, Arriva, First, Transdev and the Association of Bus Operators in West Yorkshire on a new ambitious partnership, Bus 18. The Bus 18 Delivery Programme involves a number of work streams, including Punctuality and Reliability - a programme of works to key junctions across West Yorkshire (Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees, and Wakefield) to improve bus journey times and user experience.

The programme aims to deliver benefits to bus passengers that can be realised in a short/medium timeframe, by March 2019.

The improvements to the public transport infrastructure ultimately seeks to encourage the use of an alternative, more sustainable mode of transport for car users, and an improved experience for those that rely on bus travel/public transport.

Project overview

Working with BT, the Combined Authority installed 228 new digital cameras at 26 of its West Yorkshire bus stations, linked to the control centre in South Leeds. The project provided an opportunity to review and change camera locations

The security teams’ analogue radios were replaced with digital handsets and new digital data and voice transmission services mean staff can now take radios from site to site without losing their connection.

An additional benefit of the scheme is free public Wi-Fi for passengers at eight of the staffed bus stations, which the Combined Authority had originally envisaged as requiring additional funds and a separate project.

Completed in 2019, the project is delivering a 40 per cent reduction in operating costs and will pay for itself in four years. Reduced energy use makes the system more environmentally friendly as well.

Last updated in Quarter 1 2023

Project overview

The Safety, Accessibility and Environment Programme includes three aims from the Local Transport Plan programme:

1.The Safety and Security element will improve the safety and safety of 10 bus stations across West Yorkshire – key priorities set out in the West Yorkshire Transport Asset Development Plan (see below).

2. The Accessibility element aims to make these sites more accessible based on the feedback of disabled user groups, specifically in this case, in ensuring a consistent approach to head of queue tactile signage used by visually impaired customers to navigate at bus stations.

3.The Environment element will provide new infrastructure to reduce water and electricity consumption, improve recycling rates and reduce the number of Combined Authority vehicles powered by fossil fuels. Reducing emissions from the Combined Authority’s assets will help achieve our ambition of being net zero carbon economy by 2038.

These changes will be implemented at bus stations across West Yorkshire:

1. Batley Bus Station
2. Bradford Interchange Bus Station
3. Brighouse Bus Station
4. Castleford Bus Station
5. Cleakheaton Bus Station
6. Keighley Bus Station
7. Leeds City Bus Station
8. Osset Bus Station
9. Pontefract Bus Station
10.   Pudsey Bus Station

Project objectives

• Keep our passengers safe and improve our safety offer at Bus Stations by replacing the old Brush and Pedestrian barriers with new, leading to the reduction/prevention in passenger/bus related injuries.
• We aim to improve accessibility for all passengers including those with specific access needs, by updating the tactile signage on the head of queues at all stations
• Significantly reduce the impact on the environment of Bus Stations by installing reduced flush toilets, combined recycling bins and electrical maintenance vehicles with charging points
• Maintain, improve, and protect public assets and enable them to be used in a more efficient and cost-effective way with installing help points and passenger radar, also new PA systems for bus station staff to make announcements within each station
• Standardise the approach to safety and access across the sites within the scope to provide a ‘Metro style’ transport system fit for the 21st Century
• Provide station upgrades in line with the Transport Strategy 2040 and Asset Development Plan

Project benefits

• Improve safety outcomes for our passengers and staff
• Improve environmental impact and reduce carbon footprint contributing to West Yorkshire 2038 target of net zero carbon
• Improved air quality following transport modal shift
• Reducing running costs delivering better value for money for the taxpayer

Last updated in Quarter 1 2023

Project overview

The Transforming Travel Centres project is part of a programme of exciting schemes being undertaken at Bradford Interchange and Huddersfield Bus Stations. The scheme will modernise, standardise and future-proof travel centres as part of a 21^st century Metro Style Transport System.

The scheme will see the introduction of Display Information Points (DIPS) and Ticket Vending Machines (TVMs) which will be accessible throughout Bus Station opening times, reducing the number of paper timetables and leaflets used and offering Travel Centre services outside of Travel Centre opening times.

With improved access, reduced waiting times and an enhanced look and feel, Transformed Travel centres will have a reduced carbon footprint and create a clean, modern and pleasant atmosphere for customers and Metro staff alike.

The works at Bradford Interchange were completed in December 2022. The Transforming Travel Centre works at Huddersfield Bus Station are to be completed at the same time as the wider Huddersfield Bus Station Scheme. The details in the table below relate to the works at Bradford Interchange only

Last updated in Quarter 1 2023