First West Yorkshire unveils new fleet at Bradford Industrial Museum

First West Yorkshire said the investment was part of a package of improvements that will see the X6 service provide a new limited-stop daytime service between the two cities every ten minutes from Monday to Saturday.

The 72 Leeds to Bradford service will also operate with new double-decker buses providing nearly 50 per cent extra seating capacity.

All the new buses feature luxury e-leather seating, complimentary on-board Wi-Fi, a “striking” new livery, and USB charging points for use by customers.

The vehicles, manufactured by WrightBus in Northern Ireland, are all low-carbon certified, saving an estimated 250,000kgs of CO2 per year, with their Euro VI engines said to produce 95 per cent fewer nitrogen emissions.

First said the new fleet underlined its commitment to delivering high-quality services for customers and its work with partners to improve air quality for local communities.

Oliver Howarth, business director at First West Yorkshire, said: “This investment of more than £5m in low-emission, high-quality bus journeys gives customers luxury, high-tech travel with increased frequency and increased capacity.

“These new buses are among the most eco-friendly on the market and reflect our commitment to working with our partners to reduce emissions and improve air quality for the region.”

The introduction of the new buses was celebrated in Bradford today at the city’s Industrial Museum, with the West and North Yorkshire Chamber’s chief executive Sandy Needham.

“Buses play a significant role in supporting our local economies and communities and I’m delighted to see this investment in modern, clean and comfortable buses,” she said.

“The new features including USB charging points will be welcomed by the thousands of people who travel between Bradford and Leeds.”

The investment in West Yorkshire forms part of an overall order by FirstGroup’s UK bus division of 305 new vehicles worth £70m for delivery in the current financial year.