£173.5m for Leeds transport

Leeds is to receive £173.5m worth of investment in its transport network. Confirmed by Transport Minister, Andrew Jones, the money is expected to be used to implement high frequency ‘busways’ with real time information, improved park and ride facilities and better stops and signs. It will cover a four year period, with West Yorkshire Combined Authority receiving £21m in 2017/18, £48.7m in 2018/19, £49.1m in 2019/20 and £54.7m in 2020/21. In addition, First Group have agreed in principle to commit £71m to providing 284 new low emission buses by 2020 for use in Leeds.

Transport Minister, Andrew Jones, said, ‘New segregated bus corridors and investment in park and ride schemes will be a huge benefit to people who live and work in Leeds, and those who visit the city. This investment will make public transport in Leeds more accessible and reduce journey times. Better transport facilities don’t just help people get around, they help them get on, connecting them to jobs and helping to deliver economic growth in the north.’

Managing Director of First West Yorkshire, Paul Matthews, said, ‘Today’s announcement is the first major step towards transforming Leeds’s transport network and I’m proud that First West Yorkshire is a pivotal part of this. We remain committed to our pledge to invest £71m in ultra-low emission vehicles by the end of 2020, but it’s hugely important that we continue to work in partnership with Leeds City Council and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority so that we can tackle the issue of congestion thereby improving the reliability of services and encouraging even more people to travel by bus.’