Issue - meetings

Resolved:

(i)              That the way forward to support the bus service as it recovers from the effects of the COVID emergency be endorsed the work towards the development of an Enhanced Partnership be initiated.

(ii)             That the findings of the West Yorkshire Strategic Bus Network Review and its inclusion as part of the draft Connectivity Plan be endorsed.

Members considered a report that provided an update on the work to develop a new approach to delivering bus services in West Yorkshire.

Members noted that the Combined Authority had asked Government that the funding currently supporting nationally through Covid should be devolved to the Combined Authority to oversee the recovery of bus services locally.

An enhanced partnership was proposed between the Combined Authority and bus operators to help manage the recovery.

Members raised concerns about cooper bridge and Birstall and the absence of a direct route to Leeds. To increase bus patronage after the pandemic it would be vital to have convenient and reliable links between major conurbations.

It was noted that the work to date had been about identifying the broad flows where development could influence bus travel and the work to look at journeys on a route by route basis would follow.

Resolved:

(i)              That the way forward to support the bus service as it recovers from the effects of the COVID emergency be endorsed the work towards the development of an Enhanced Partnership be initiated.

(ii)             That the findings of the West Yorkshire Strategic Bus Network Review and its inclusion as part of the draft Connectivity Plan be endorsed.