Combined authority moves towards first bus franchising contract awards as depot acquisitions and zero-emission fleet procurement progress
Contract awards, depot plans and fleet procurement are progressing
The West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) expects to finalise the first round of bus franchising contract awards in June as the region continues preparations for the introduction of a regulated network.
A report presented to members by Alex Clarke, the combined authority’s head of bus reform, sets out progress on the transition programme, which has moved into a second phase focused on preparing for the launch of franchised services. Tendering for the first contracts began in October 2025, with final Invitation to Tender documents now issued to the market.
According to the report, the evaluation stage will take place during April and May 2026. Subject matter experts will assess submissions before a recommendation to award is produced for each contract. The combined authority expects to enter into the first agreements with successful bidders by the end of June, with authority to award contracts delegated to officers in consultation with Tracy Brabin, the mayor of West Yorkshire.
The initial tranche forms part of a three-round procurement programme that will eventually cover the region’s full bus network. Within each franchise zone in the first round there will be a single large contract.
Alongside the procurement of operators, WYCA is also progressing plans for a new fleet of zero-emission buses that will operate under the forthcoming Weaver Network brand. The combined authority has already approved the outline business case for the fleet provision programme and released £29,972,556 to secure manufacturing slots and provide a deposit for vehicles required for the first round of services.
The report notes that the estimated total scheme cost for the Round 1 fleet procurement is £100,000,000, with the remaining funding subject to approval through a future full business case. For the largest ‘Tier A’ contracts, the buses will be owned by the combined authority and supplied to operators.
Work is also under way to finalise the vehicle specification following a public consultation on the design and customer experience of the new buses. Authority is being sought to allow the specification to be completed ahead of procurement.
In parallel with fleet acquisition, WYCA is advancing a wider programme of infrastructure and technology investments required to support the franchised network. These include the procurement of on-bus ticketing and vehicle location systems, the development of depot facilities and electrification infrastructure.
On depots, a parallel programme is progressing to secure the depot infrastructure needed to support the franchised network. WYCA plans to acquire and refurbish up to 10 bus depots across the region to ensure operators have access to suitable facilities when contracts commence. The combined authority intends to pursue a dual acquisition strategy, combining negotiated purchases with the potential use of compulsory purchase powers where required, with the aim of reducing barriers to entry and ensuring depots meet the requirements of a zero-emission fleet.
Work is also advancing on a new bus depot in Wakefield, proposed for a site at Newton Bar that is currently used as a highway maintenance facility by Wakefield Council. The development is intended to support the Wakefield franchise zone and follows structural issues identified at Arriva’s now closed Barnsley Road depot. A standalone business case has been prepared as part of the bus reform depot programme.
Alongside site acquisition and development, WYCA is preparing a depot electrification programme to enable the operation of zero-emission buses. This will include installing charging infrastructure and securing upgraded electricity grid connections at key locations. Clarke notes that earlier electrification work has already taken place at depots in Bramley and Keighley, with further works potentially required at Huddersfield and Bradford
WYCA is also working on arrangements for driver facilities, including crew rooms. It also plans to acquire Heckmondwike bus station through a long lease from Kirklees Council.
Another element of the reform programme is the introduction of a London-style service permit regime, which will govern non-franchised bus services operating alongside the new franchised network. It is intended that this will facilitate co-ordination between franchised and non-franchised networks.
This article appears in the latest issue of Passenger Transport.
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