'Popular service' access bus replacement scheme set to cost £6.5m
A scheme to replace West Yorkshire’s fleet of Access buses is expected to cost around £6.5 million.
At a meeting of West Yorkshire Combined Authority, members from across the region voted to approve funding for 33 ultra-low emission buses to replace the existing ageing models.
The Authority’s dial-a-ride bus service provides door-to-door transport to support the needs of older, disabled and vulnerable passengers and those who have difficulty accessing the general bus network.
It makes around 6,000 trips each week and serves around 6,700 registered users, but the current fleet has been described as being past its “anticipated operational life” – with vehicles being between 11 and 18 years old.
AccessBus vehicles have low floor access and an internal layout that provides more space for wheelchairs and other mobility equipment than a standard bus.
Rachel Jones, head of mobility services, said: “It is a very popular service, and is constantly close to capacity.
“The existing fleet is well beyond its operational life, with more issues with the vehicles that are having an impact on the services we can provide.
“We need to review the fleet in its entirety.”
Only a handful of the buses will be electric, with many being low emission diesel.
A report to members said a fully electric fleet would prove too costly, adding: “The aim is to trial the effectiveness of electric buses in operation, with a view to future vehicle replacements being fully electric.”