The green fleet will be part of the Weaver Network – the new publicly controlled bus network that will start too be introduced in West Yorkshire in 2027.

West Yorkshire Combined Authority approved a £30m deposit to make sure the vehicles are ready by April of that year.

The network will see control of bus fares, routes and timetables moved away from bus companies and set by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority.  

West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin had made the decision to push ahead with bus franchising, claiming it would be the best way to improve bus services across the region.

The Combined Authority has now begun the process for selecting operators of this new service – with existing operators invited to apply.

There will be a range of different contract types and sizes, to run services on its behalf.  

Ms Brabin said: “This investment is a major step towards exciting changes for our region’s buses.

“A brand new fleet of zero emission electric vehicles, including features and designs shaped by the people who use them, will be a vital part of an integrated Weaver Network that makes sustainable travel the easy choice.

“Bringing buses under our control will ensure that services work for passengers, creating a greener, better-connected region for everyone.”

Franchising is set to be rolled out across the region in three phases, with each round covering three geographical zones, beginning in April 2027 and concluding in 2028. 

Bradford and Keighley are two of the last areas of West Yorkshire that are likely to get the franchised services. 

The Weaver Network was revealed as the new name for the franchised service earlier this year, and the public will start to see the branding on transport infrastructure as the Combined Authority repairs, replaces, upgrades and invests in the travel network.  

Minimum vehicle standards would be set for the network, covering categories including emissions, capacity, maintenance, customer services, accessibility and safety features.  

The total cost for the first round’s bus fleet order is estimated to be up to £100million.

In August the Combined Authority opened its ‘dynamic market’ for potential operators, with companies accepted and registered then invited to bid for contracts across the three rounds.  

This month, operators are being invited to bid for the first round of contracts, covering Kirklees and parts of Leeds.