Wakefield to get brand new and improved bus services thanks to £15 million investment
£150 million has been invested into Arriva’s bus services in Wakefield, and across West Yorkshire.
This money is part of the Arriva Group’s wider £340m investment programme to transform and modernise its bus operations across the UK – with communities in West Yorkshire the first to benefit from brand-new lower-emission buses.
The first phase is already underway, with 50 new single and double-decker buses entering service in Wakefield.
The new vehicles will replace some of the company’s oldest buses and will operate on several key routes, including the X10 and 110.
Managing director of Arriva, Martijn Gilbert, called the investment “long overdue”, stating that these new buses will “bring people out and about and into Wakefield”.
He continued: “This is just the start of a major investment programme that will transform our operations across the UK for the benefit of both customers and colleagues.”
Built in Scarborough, these new Alexander Dennis vehicles were officially launched at an event at Wakefield bus station, on March 13.
Transport Minister, and MP for Wakefield and Rothwell, Simon Lightwood said: "I’m delighted that West Yorkshire is the first region to benefit from this major investment in cleaner, more modern buses.
"These Yorkshire‑built vehicles will make a real difference for passengers - improving reliability, cutting emissions and supporting local manufacturing.
"We all know there is still more to do to get bus services to the standard people in Wakefield rightly expect, but this is a very welcome step forward."
To celebrate the launch of the new buses, Arriva will host a ‘free travel day’ on April 12, where all bus journeys will be free for passengers across West Yorkshire.