BRADFORD will trial a scheme where some of the districts poorest people will be provided with "mobility credits" to access public transport.

It will be part of a £27 million bid to the Government being made by West Yorkshire Combined Authority.

As well as the Bradford scheme to provide more affordable transport, the "Future Mobility Zone Bid" will allow people to access e-bikes, car club vehicles, taxis and smaller responsive buses that will complement the existing bus and train network. The trial for that part of the scheme will begin in Wakefield, Leeds and York.

The Authority's submission for government funding says: "Initial pilots of mobility credits in Bradford will help to tackle the affordability of transport for specific user groups including young people, those on lower incomes and job seekers. These pilots will help contribute towards reducing social exclusion and addressing unemployment."

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It says around 85,000 people in Bradford would likely be eligible for the scheme. It adds: "Early roll out of mobility credits within the first year of funding will be across locations in Bradford where we have identified specific demographic groups that the credits will be targeted towards."

The scheme would be partly funded by contributions from housing developers, and the submission adds: "During the delivery we will also look to develop relationships with higher education institutions to help administer at a reduced cost the travel vouchers that they already provide to students."

A decision by Government is expected in Autumn and if successful, the Combined Authority and its partners will develop, test and evaluate world-leading new technologies to transform the way that transport is provided, with the aim of rolling these out more widely across the Leeds City Region.

Councillor Kim Groves, Chair of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority Transport Committee, said: “Our Future Mobility Zone bid sets out an innovative new approach to how transport in West Yorkshire is provided, giving people greater control and flexibility over how they travel around the region.

“If we’re successful, local people will be able to plan, book and pay for a range of travel options, including on-demand services, though a single source such as an app. Through the bid we also want to enable those on lower incomes or who face other barriers to using public transport to have access to flexible, affordable transport options that meet their needs.

“This is all about developing a transport network for the future, that helps people travel to work, education, leisure and other facilities in the easiest, most flexible and accessible way possible – rather than having to rely on services that don’t currently meet their needs.”