First Bus begins first 24hr bus service in West Yorkshire
- 72 Service runs all day and night, seven days a week between Leeds and Bradford
First Bus has begun the first 24hr bus service in West Yorkshire.
Its 72 service operating between Bradford-Leeds started providing trips all day and night this week (Sunday 1 September). This is being achieved with journeys added in the late evening and early hours, which will operate seven days a week.
Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe, chair of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority's transport committee and leader of Bradford Council, dropped by last night to see a newly branded bus that will be one of the fleet used on the route and to help start a campaign to raise awareness.
The 24hr service builds on success First Bus has seen on this travel corridor, where there has been a combined frequency of 7 to 8 minutes together with the express X6 service since extra buses were introduced in May.
Kayleigh Ingham, Commercial Director of First Bus in West Yorkshire, said: “We are delighted to launch the first 24-hour bus service in West Yorkshire on our 72 route running between Leeds and Bradford.
“It has always been a high frequency route for us, and we are now investing further in our network to build on the success we have seen while ensuring the best possible service for our customers.”
First Bus believes this 24-hour service will benefit all sectors of the local economy and society, helping to support the nighttime economy, shift working and leisure and hospitality markets.
Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe said: "A 24-hour bus service between Bradford and Leeds will provide a real boost to both cities, increasing connectivity and supporting our economy.
"It means that shift workers, those working in the nighttime economy and others who need a safe way home at night will benefit from this investment.
"More frequent bus services between our cities will help us to build a better-connected West Yorkshire."
Kayleigh Ingham added: “Safety is our top priority and we believe this 24-hour connectivity aligns well with mayoral commitments to give focus to the safety of women and girls.
“The bus is one of the cheapest, most convenient, and sustainable ways of travelling in West Yorkshire.”
Picture captions:
72 Service 24hrs_2: Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe (left) with Kayleigh Ingham reveal a new branded bus that will be part of the fleet used on the route.
72 Service 24hrs_3: Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe (right) with Kayleigh Ingham and Mohammed Raja, Operations Manager of the Bradford depot, reveal a new branded bus that will be part of the fleet used on the route.
72 Service 24hrs_4: Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe (centre) with Kayleigh Ingham and Mohammed Raja, Operations Manager of the Bradford depot, reveal a new branded bus that will be part of the fleet used on the route.
Ends
Notes to editors
Media enquiries to Richard Harrison, PR Manager, First Bus North & West Yorkshire 07973 668116 richard.m.harrison@firstbus.co.uk
About First Bus
At First Bus, we are on a mission to grow bus usage. We will get behind initiatives that move people out of cars and onto bus.
We are one of the UK’s largest bus operators, delivering over a million passenger journeys every day for the communities we serve.
Transforming our business for the better, we are putting our people and customers at the heart of all we do.
We are all about making journeys easier for our customers, which is why we were the first national bus operator to rollout Tap On, Tap Off payment technology across our entire UK fleet of 4500 buses. Our First Bus app has also been voted ‘best in class’ amongst UK bus operators.
First Bus is committed to operating a zero-emission bus fleet by 2035. By March 2024, 15% of our will fleet will comprise Zero Emission Buses (ZEBs).
We are passionate about giving back to the communities we serve, which is why we are helping local businesses to progress their own decarbonisation journeys with access to our charging hubs while our buses are on the road.
We also operate the Aircoach network in Ireland, Specialist Passenger Solutions, First Travel Solutions and Ensignbus.
First Bus is a division of FirstGroup. Find more information on First Bus here: https://news.firstbus.co.uk/