The Weaver Network Board met on Thursday 17 September 2026 to discuss the ongoing progress of bus franchising in West Yorkshire. The Board noted the update provided on the bus franchising programme.

Bus Franchising Update

The Board received an update on the significant progress being made with the bus franchising programme, which aims to bring bus services back under local control. Paul Matthews, Director of Bus Franchising, presented the report, highlighting that the programme is now over halfway through its projected four-and-a-half-year journey. The first critical milestone of issuing contract documentation was passed in autumn 2025, and the Board is now moving towards the second milestone of getting the first services operational in the first quarter of 2027-28.

The franchising process is complex, involving multiple workstreams. Contracting is progressing, with Round 1 contracts for services in Kirklees, Dewsbury, Huddersfield, and parts of Leeds having been awarded. The procurement for Round 2, covering parts of Leeds and Wakefield, is underway. Significant work is also being done on the customer experience, including fares and ticketing, and the development of a new mobile app.

The acquisition and refurbishment of eight depots are nearing completion, with electrification work already commencing in Huddersfield and Bradford. A new depot is also being designed for Wakefield, though this has impacted its go-live timeline. The report detailed the progress across various workstreams, including contracting, customer experience, depots, fleet, network planning, technology, contract mobilisation, people, data, and finance.

Councillor Andrew Judson of Bradford Council raised concerns about Bradford's inclusion in Round 3 of the franchising rollout, advocating for its inclusion in Round 2 if infrastructure allowed. Paul Matthews assured Councillor Judson that Bradford would not be disadvantaged and that electrification work was already beginning in the city.

Councillor Neil Buckley from Leeds inquired about the costs associated with depot acquisition, which were confirmed to be in the public domain and had been previously approved by the Combined Authority.

Councillor Matt Edwards, also from Bradford, questioned the timeline for franchising going live in spring 2027, citing the potential risk of local elections. It was explained that while complex programmes always have risks, the current progress on contract awards and depot acquisitions meant the elections were not perceived as a significant threat to the delivery timeline.

Councillor Eleanor Thomson from Leeds expressed concerns about a smooth transition for passengers and drivers, particularly in areas like Leeds where not all routes would be franchised simultaneously. She also raised worries about the potential deterioration of services in later rounds. Paul Matthews acknowledged these concerns, stating that the aim was to ensure customers would not notice a significant difference in the network on Day 1, with efforts focused on minimising disruption. The development of a control centre to improve reliability was also discussed.

Engagement with bus drivers regarding cab design, uniforms, and welfare was highlighted, with feedback being incorporated into the process. Councillor Tom Hinchcliffe inquired about engagement with students, particularly part-time students and commuters. Tim Taylor explained that future Weaver fares would be a universal offer, not corridor-specific, with proposals planned for December.

Councillor Keith Anderson of Wakefield Council asked about the impact of the Prime Minister's announcement on fare caps and whether this would be factored into risk registers and P&L sessions. Tim Taylor confirmed that the implications of the national fare cap were being considered and that options were being presented to bus operators.

Councillor Judson revisited the issue of depot acquisition, specifically the Keefery depot and an adjacent car park, raising concerns about parking for the local mosque. Paul Matthews agreed to arrange a briefing for officers to discuss the plans for the depot and factor in the mosque's concerns.

Councillor Neil Buckley also asked about responsibility for bus stop maintenance and guarantees against service cuts. It was clarified that the Combined Authority is responsible for the bus stop footprint, while local authorities manage the surrounding public realm. There are currently no plans to change the network until after franchising, though it is expected to evolve based on customer needs.

Councillor Darren Commons from Calderdale raised concerns about the refurbishment or expansion of the Calderdale depot, which had recently reduced in size. Paul Matthews assured him that the planned network design for Calderdale factored in the depot's reduced size and would be adequate for the network's needs, including space for electrification.

Councillor Mark Smith inquired about what would prevent proposed franchisees from restricting services in the future. It was explained that under franchising, the Weaver Network Board determines the network, and operators are contractually obliged to adhere to specified times and frequencies.

The Board noted the report and the information provided on bus franchising, with a commitment to ensuring full oversight of the network as part of the Weaver services launching in spring 2027. The next meeting was scheduled for 22 October 2026.