The first meeting of the Weaver Network Board was held on Thursday 23 July 2026, where members discussed governance arrangements, bus and rail performance, and the future of transport in West Yorkshire. Key decisions included noting the new governance structure and approving the minutes of the previous Transport Committee meeting.

Governance Arrangements

The Board noted the governance arrangements approved by the Combined Authority Board on 25 June 2026. These arrangements establish the Weaver Network Board as the executive body responsible for transport and local infrastructure functions within West Yorkshire. The terms of reference, approved at the annual meeting, outline the Board's broad remit, including oversight of programmes like the Weaver Network, integrated travel, mass transit, and bus franchising. The membership of the Board was also noted, with a placeholder for political balance members who are yet to be formally appointed. Councillor Eleanor Thomson was introduced as the Deputy Chair of the Weaver Board.

Bus Performance Quarterly Update

Tim Taylor, Director of Transport Services, presented an update on the performance of the current bus network. He highlighted a continued decline in patronage, with a 3.3% decrease in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the previous year, largely driven by a drop in adult journeys. Despite this, punctuality had improved to 85.4%, and reliability also saw an increase, with the percentage of cancelled services falling to 1.3%.

Customer insights from the Transport Focus 'Your Bus Journey' survey indicated an overall satisfaction increase to 81% in West Yorkshire, though value for money remained a concern. The West Yorkshire Residents' Perceptions of Transport Survey revealed a persistent gender gap in confidence using buses after dark, with 39% of women feeling safe compared to 65% of men. The report also detailed ongoing work on the mCard and Weaver Network apps, including planned improvements for age verification and journey planning, as well as capital investments in bus stations at Heckmondwike, Dewsbury, and Huddersfield.

Members raised concerns about data sharing with operators, the gender gap in safety perceptions, and the impact of service frequency reductions. Tim Taylor assured the Board that franchising would provide more detailed data and that efforts were underway to address safety concerns and improve public realm design around bus stops. The Board resolved to note the report's contents, consider improvements for system-wide information oversight, and share further areas for future quarterly reports.

Rail Performance Quarterly Update

Rebecca Cheung, Lead Policy Manager, provided an update on rail performance and reform. Passenger demand for rail services was reported as strong, with growth across Northern, TransPennine Express, LNER, and CrossCountry services, particularly for leisure travel. A proposed timetable change by Northern to alter the Hull–Leeds–Bradford–Halifax service was discussed, aiming to improve reliability by terminating Hull services at Leeds and extending the Bradford–Halifax–Huddersfield service to Leeds. While this would mean some passengers losing direct services, officers believed the wider network benefits and improved reliability justified the change.

Performance data showed improvements in punctuality for Northern and TPE, although TPE had seen an increase in cancellations due to fleet issues. Significant investment in rail infrastructure, including the TransPennine Route Upgrade, was ongoing, with potential for passenger disruption. The report also detailed progress on new stations at Thorpe Park and Stourton, and accessibility improvements at Todmorden and Pontefract Monkhill.

The Board was updated on rail reform, including the proposed statutory role for Mayoral Strategic Authorities under the Railways Bill and the creation of Great British Railways (GBR). A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) had been signed with the rail industry to foster collaboration ahead of GBR's establishment. A public-facing Rail Vision Document is being developed to outline how rail can support the Weaver Network.

Councillor Andrew Judson raised the possibility of publicly backing the reopening of the South East Lancashire rail line, a proposal that officers acknowledged but noted faced significant funding challenges. Members also discussed issues with CrossCountry services, infrastructure problems leading to disruption, and the importance of clear communication during service failures. The Board resolved to note the updates provided in the report.

Chair's Update

Mayor Tracy Brabin welcomed members to the first Weaver Network Board meeting and highlighted the Prime Minister's announcement of a £2 bus fare cap from January 2027. She noted that further details on government support for bus fares beyond 2028 were expected. The Mayor also referenced West Yorkshire's own £2 capped bus fare introduced in September 2022, which she stated had been significant for communities during the cost-of-living crisis. The implications of the new national fare cap on the region's own fare policy and strategy were being reviewed.

Minutes of the Meeting of the Transport Committee

The minutes of the Transport Committee meeting held on 29 January 2026 were approved as a correct record.

Declarations of Disclosable Pecuniary Interests

Councillor Andrew Judson declared that he had attended an introductory meeting with First Bus. He stated that he remained impartial and had not discussed any specific matters that could influence his decision-making.

Exempt Information - Possible Exclusion of the Press & Public

It was confirmed that there were no exempt items on the agenda requiring the exclusion of the press and public.