A system of prioritising buses at traffic lights is being piloted on a busy Bradford to Keighley route in a bid to improve the reliability of services and cut travel times.

Units have been installed that track the vehicles by satellite and keep the light on green longer to allow a bus in the vicinity through the junction.

The system is being used at a number of locations on the A650 thanks to investment by Metro - the operating arm of the West Yorkshire Passenger Transport Authority - and bus operators.

A joint review of the district's bus services by Bradford Council with Metro and the bus companies states: "The key benefits in extending this facility through the Bradford district include potential travel time savings leading to improved bus service reliability, reduced travel times and operational cost savings, thereby helping to maintain the operation of less well performing routes." It also shows that three-quarters of Bradford bus users are satisfied with services, but they could be better.

Bradford's figure of 73 per cent was the highest level of satisfaction of the five districts that make up the county, and higher than the West Yorkshire average of 67 per cent.

The report, which is due to be discussed at the Council's executive meeting on Tuesday, says that further measures are needed to improve bus services around the district.

The review identified particular areas of concern. These were tackling congestion, improving punctuality, improving accessibility to the bus network, simplifying fares and ticketing arrangements, enforcing the use of bus lanes and making the transport system more integrated.

These issues are set to be addressed in an action plan which will be monitored by the Bradford Bus Partnership Steering Group, made up of Council and Metro officers and by senior representatives of the main bus operators in the district.

Councillor Anne Hawkesworth, executive member for environment and culture, said: "A reliable, high quality and well used bus service is a key contributor to local transport objectives and will help to secure a more efficient and accessible transport system.

"This in turn will contribute to economic growth and help to reduce social exclusion in the District. Bus services provide an essential mode of transport for many disabled people, older people and parents with young children. It would therefore be significantly beneficial to the community to have an improved service."

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