Campaigners criticise First Bus contract plans

Campaigners have criticised plans to award First Bus a contract to run services in parts of West Yorkshire.

The West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) announced that it intended to allow First to operate in Huddersfield and parts of Leeds, as part of a new franchising system.

But the group Better Buses for West Yorkshire said First's West Yorkshire division was one of "Britain's worst bus operators", citing its low rank in a recent transport survey.

First said it was "delighted" to have been awarded the contract, subject to completion.

The move would see First begin running services from spring 2027 as part of a deal with WYCA, which is in the process of bringing the region's buses under public control.

The operator TransDev has been lined up to run buses in Dewsbury under the same franchising system, known as the Weaver Network, it was also announced.

But citing survey findings published by the passenger watchdog Transport Focus earlier this year, Gareth Forest, from Better Buses West Yorkshire said: "First came 62nd out of 72 bus companies in the country this year - one of Britain's worst bus operators.

"Is this all that we deserve as passengers? No, we deserve better."

Both WYCA and First Bus said there was now a "standstill period" where the contracts, which cannot be signed until 29 August at the earliest, were subject to legal requirements.

A First West Yorkshire spokesperson said: "We're delighted to have been awarded the bus services contract in the Huddersfield area and parts of Leeds following a competitive tender process and subject to the completion of the legal standstill period.

"We have worked closely with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority for many years and we look forward to continuing to work together and developing the Weaver Network in the months and years to come."

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