New buses to provide free disabled travel

Disabled people will be able to travel for free on West Yorkshire's buses at any time of the day following a shake-up of regional transport services.

Buses are being taken under the control of West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) and rebranded as the Weaver Network.

Disabled and companion pass holders currently have to buy a full fare ticket before 09:30 BST on weekdays, meaning many people cannot travel to work or school for free.

From May, when the Weaver Network services begin running in Wakefield, these restrictions will no longer apply and will eventually be rolled out across the region.

The Weaver buses' fleet specifications will be approved at a Combined Authority meeting on Thursday, the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) said.

The new vehicles will have electric-powered accessible ramps, space for two wheelchairs, and an additional space for a pushchair or luggage, as well as USB charging points at every seat, the WYCA said.

Initially the new buses will be tested on Wakefield's roads in May, at a cost of £241,500 in the 2026 financial year, followed by the rest of West Yorkshire at a further cost of £941,000 in the 2027-28 financial year, it added.

"Having a disability should not limit your ability to access work," said West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin.

"Allowing disabled people to travel for free before 09:30 will lift barriers to opportunity and help grow our economy by better-connecting people to jobs and training," she added.

In December the new electric buses were criticised by campaigners for not including more doors for people with mobility issues or pushchairs.

Brabin said the new buses would be "the pride of West Yorkshire".

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