FIRST Bus is increasing the frequency of its X6 and 72 services between Bradford and Leeds.

The bus company has increased the frequency to provide a service up to every seven minutes during the day from Monday to Saturday.

The change is part of an overall review of its Bradford network to help customers with connectivity and better punctuality.

With these changes, First Bus aims to mitigate some of the challenges caused by important ongoing infrastructure works and the closure of Bradford Interchange.

This builds on revised routes First Bus already introduced on April 14 to improve journey times.

The network changes, which include the X6 and 72, cover the majority of its Bradford network and come into effect from Sunday, May 19.

Michael Moore, Head of Network for First Bus in West Yorkshire, said: “We are delighted to invest in three additional buses on our 72 and X6 services between Bradford and Leeds.

"This will further increase frequency to operate every 15 minutes on the X6 express and every 15 to 16 minutes for the 72.

“This enables us to better co-ordinate both services at Bradford and Leeds and manage combined frequencies during the day, especially at peak times when pressure on the road network is at its greatest.”

The majority of other Bradford services have been reviewed and retimed using specialist scheduling software First Bus has invested in to support better prediction of journey times throughout the day.

“This will mean some timetable adjustments to allow for peak periods, which we believe will give more accuracy for customers to plan their journeys,” added Mr Moore.

“We have again worked closely with the Combined Authority and Bradford Council’s highways team to introduce these enhancements, which aim to make it easier to travel around the city while the current works are completed.”

Full details of the changes are available on the First Bus website.