Major groups and SMEs line up to bid for contracts as West Yorkshire Combined Authority presses ahead with plans for bus franchising

Weaver Network to launch in 2027

 
The West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) has confirmed the list of operators that have registered to compete for contracts under its forthcoming Weaver Network bus franchising model, marking another milestone in the region’s transition to publicly-controlled bus services.

A total of 35 suppliers have joined the authority’s ‘Dynamic Market’ procurement system, 12 for the large-scale Tier A contracts, and 23 for the smaller Tier B and C opportunities. The Dynamic Market is the gateway through which operators must express their interest and register to be eligible to bid for franchised service contracts. There’s no guarantee that those registered will enter bids for contracts.

The Tier A contracts, each valued between £50m and £300m over seven years, will involve WYCA-owned depots and, in some cases, vehicles.

The 12 bidders in this category are: Arriva Yorkshire, Ascendal Group, Rotala-owned Diamond Bus North West, Yorkshire-based bus and coach operator DM Motor Services, First West Yorkshire,
Go-Ahead, Metroline, Mobico, Stagecoach Yorkshire, Tower Transit, Transdev Blazefield and Transport UK.

Meanwhile, Tier B and C contracts, designed to be more accessible to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), voluntary and community transport providers, have attracted 23 applicants. These contracts, worth between £1m and £80m, will generally use operator-owned depots and fleets.

The first round of franchising contracts is expected to be awarded in 2026

Bidders for the smaller contracts include several established independents. They include: A Lyles & Son, B & H Travel, E. Stott & Sons, Harrogate Coach Travel, J & B Travel, Ross Travel, Squarepeg Buses, Stringers Pontefract Motorways and TLC Travel.

They join a number of the larger national groups, including Arriva, FirstGroup – which has registered its interest via First West Yorkshire and recently acquired local coach operator Tetley’s, Go-Ahead, Mobico, Stagecoach Yorkshire and Transdev Blazefield.

WYCA’s approach follows earlier criticism of the Greater Manchester Bee Network process, where only a small proportion of contracts were won by smaller operators. West Yorkshire’s model aims to broaden participation through a tiered structure, ensuring that community-based and regional operators can compete alongside major groups.

The first round of franchising contracts is expected to be awarded in 2026, with services under the Weaver Network branding due to start in 2027. The initial Dynamic Market term runs for seven years, with the option for extension.

The authority says the latest announcement demonstrates strong market interest in the transition to franchising and a healthy level of engagement from operators of all sizes.

 
This article appears in the latest issue of Passenger Transport.

DON’T MISS OUT – GET YOUR COPY! – click here to subscribe!