Smartcard-style tickets will be rolled out on buses in Bradford and across West Yorkshire with help from a £5 million Government cash boost.

West Yorkshire Integrated Transport Authority Metro, in partnership with bus operators and the region’s five district councils, was awarded the cash from the Department for Transport’s Better Bus Area Fund, announced yesterday.

At the moment holders of concessionary passes can use a chip built into their cards to pay for journeys – the money will help expand the system and should see the creation of a smartcard retail network by March 2014.

Metro chairman, Councillor James Lewis, said: “Smartcard-based, integrated ticketing is a priority for customers and I'm pleased that the Department for Transport has recognised the additional benefits that our Smart Journeys bid will bring, and the potential for making bus travel more accessible and easy to use.

“I think this is a great opportunity to provide a step-change in ticketing options for West Yorkshire. By working together, Metro and the local bus operators can deliver a range of new products and tickets designed to suit passengers’ needs, supported by a retail network.”

He added: “Enabling smartcard travel across the county – and into neighbouring authorities – is a natural consequence of the West Yorkshire Local Transport Plan’s objectives of increasing connectivity, promoting sustainable, greener forms of travel and improving everyone’s quality of life.”

It is part of a £70 million package under the Better Bus Area Fund, which aims to boost growth, improve partnerships with bus companies and increase bus passenger numbers.

Local Transport Minister Norman Baker said: “The £70m will be shared between 24 local authorities who have impressed the Department with their bid for funding. They will benefit from up to £5m each.”

Also announced yesterday was funding for low carbon buses, part of the Government’s Green Bus Fund, which aims to encourage a switch to hybrid-electric, fully electric or gas buses.

Arriva Yorkshire Ltd has been awarded £620,820 to fund 12 of the new buses, which will operate in Leeds.