Criticism as school bus route cuts confirmed

The combined authority says it will be "engaging" with the schools involved

Plans to axe six school bus routes in West Yorkshire have been confirmed, prompting criticism from councillors.

West Yorkshire Combined Authority said last week it was considering cutting three buses in Bradford, one in Calderdale and two in Leeds from September 2026.

In each case, the authority said there were either alternate public transport services available, or that most children would be able to walk or cycle to school.

At a meeting on Thursday, members of the Combined Authority voted to approve the cuts but said they would "engage with affected schools to plan for proposed changes to services".

The proposals came after a review of the school routes the authority subsidises, with West Yorkshire mayor Tracy Brabin stating: "As we look to improve transport across West Yorkshire, we want to ensure services are equitable for all."

Leeds Lib Dem councillor Stewart Golton said: "The primary driver behind this is presented as it being an issue of equity – that some parts are getting more than others.

"I believe instead of negotiating down, we should try to life everyone up to an equal benefit."

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Brabin said the planned franchised bus service – the Weaver Network - would improve buses across the board when it is introduced in 2027 and "connect young people to places they have never been connected to before".

The WYCA says alternative public transport, walking and cycling routes will be available

The services facing the axe include:

• B50 Eldwick to Beckfoot School

• B99 Bradford city centre to Appleton Academy

• S64 Baildon to Titus Salt School or S66 Baildon Primary to Titus Salt School

• C6 Crossley Heath Grammar

• S62 Cockburn School

• SM25 Ilkley to St Mary's Menston

The WYCA has previously said it currently has arrangements in place for 328 buses carrying up to 20,000 pupils per day at a cost of £18.99m a year, of which 45% is funded by the combined authority.

The remaining costs are funded by income from fares, council's across West Yorkshire and schools.

'Attacking choice'

Tim Taylor, director of transport services, said Leeds and Bradford currently received higher subsidies for school buses than areas like Wakefield.

Alan Lamb, a Conservative councillor representing Wetherby, described the cuts as "an attack on choice".

Pointing out that the authority had said some families would be able to walk and cycle to school if the routes were cut, he said: "If walking and cycling was the best option for children they'd already be doing it.

"It is not for this authority to make that decision for them."

Ms Brabin acknowledged the changes could prove "stressful" but said the WYCA would work with schools between now and September 2026 to mitigate the changes.

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