First Bus Franchising Contracts Signed in West Yorkshire

First and Transdev have signed the opening contracts to run services on the region’s new Weaver Network, as the Combined Authority takes control of routes.

The first contracts to run West Yorkshire’s buses under a new franchised system have been signed, a landmark moment in the region. Under this system, the Combined Authority takes control of routes, fares and standards, while private companies are paid to run the services. First West Yorkshire will operate services in Huddersfield and parts of Leeds, while Transdev Blazefield takes on the Dewsbury area, in the first round of awards for the Weaver Network. The first franchised services are due to begin in spring 2027, with the full rollout continuing across West Yorkshire to the end of 2028.

Why This Matters For Leeds

Signing the first contracts turns a long-promised reform into a concrete programme, with fare income and service standards now set by the Combined Authority rather than left to private operators. For businesses, the prize is a more reliable, better-connected network that widens the pool of workers who can reach city-centre jobs. It also brings certainty for the operators and their staff.

Bus Franchising: How does it work?

Under bus franchising, the Combined Authority owns the majority of the buses and depots and sets the routes, timetables, fares and service standards. Private operators, here First West Yorkshire and Transdev Blazefield, contracted to run the services on its behalf. It is a reversal of the deregulated system in place since the 1980s, and follows the same approach already used in London and Greater Manchester. In those cities, operators are paid a fee to run services rather than keeping the fares, their drivers stay employed by the operating companies rather than becoming public-sector workers, and fare income flows to the transport authority, which reinvests it but also carries the financial risk if takings fall short. West Yorkshire appears to have adopted the same broad model. The contracts signed this week cover services registered to the Bramley, Dewsbury and Huddersfield depots, though not necessarily every route in those areas, and further smaller and school-service contracts are still to be awarded.

“I promised to bring buses back under public control and today is a landmark moment. For the first time, operators will run buses on behalf of the people of West Yorkshire, to standards set by us.”

— Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire

The Road to Spring 2027

The rollout is phased. It begins with Huddersfield in spring 2027, but for Leeds the bigger moment comes in the second round, set for early 2028, which will mainly cover parts of Leeds and Wakefield. A third round in autumn 2028 then extends the system to Bradford, Calderdale and the rest of the region. The programme sits within a wider investment push Leeds Today has reported on, including a publicly owned fleet of around 576 new electric buses and tens of millions of pounds going into depots and stations under the Weaver Network brand. Operators welcomed the deals, with FirstGroup chief executive Graham Sutherland calling it a milestone for public transport and Transdev’s Henri Rohard citing the firm’s long local track record. The real test will be whether it delivers more reliable, better-value journeys once services start.