Launch date for new Bradford to Leeds Streetcar buses (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Launch date for new Bradford to Leeds Streetcar buses

11:00am Tuesday 2nd October 2012 in News

The first state-of-the-art Streetcar buses running between Bradford and Leeds will be deployed later this month in a £74,000 scheme.

The rapid-transit style service, which will include on-board free wifi internet, leather seats and new ticketing systems, will begin operating on the current number 72 route between the two cities from Sunday, October 28.

First, the region’s principal bus operator, is working in partnership with West Yorkshire Integrated Transport Authority (ITA), Metro, Bradford Council and Leeds City Council on the project, which it hopes will ease congestion on roads between Leeds and Bradford as well as spark economic growth.

The Leeds-Bradford route was listed in the Leeds City Region Transport Strategy as one of the most important corridors and, over the last 18 months, the frequency of the 72 service has increased from three buses an hour to eight.

The progress of the scheme, which will see Streetcars running every seven minutes during the Monday to Saturday daytime period, will be discussed at a meeting of Metro’s Bradford Passenger Consultative Comm-ittee at City Hall on Thursday.

A First spokesman said everything was on schedule for the launch and announcements about fares and routes would be made in the next few weeks.

“The new service will be branded Hyperlink and the modern fleet of vehicles will be fitted with free wifi to ensure our customers can benefit from free and easy access to the internet and social media,” he added.

“The Streetcar project is a joint initiative between First, Metro, Bradford and Leeds Councils that aims to offer car- users a viable alternative to using their cars for journeys between these two great West Yorkshire cities.”

Essential carriageway maintenance at Bradford Interchange, which is likely to begin early next year, will also be discussed by the ITA this week.

A report said: “As soon as the extent of the works has been determined, a further report will be provided on the level of disruption and the measures that Metro will implement to mitigate against disruption to passengers and operators.”

Members will also hear work has started on upgrading ticket gates at railway stations in Bradford which will allow the gates to be opened using a ‘smart’ MetroCard.