Funding approved to replace ageing access buses in West Yorkshire

West Yorkshire Combined Authority approved £6.5m to buy 33 ultra-low emission access buses to replace an ageing dial-a-ride fleet used by older, disabled and other passengers; only a small number of the new vehicles will be fully electric, with most described as low-emission diesel.

Funding has been approved to replace an ageing fleet of access buses serving West Yorkshire. The dial-a-ride service offers door-to-door transport for older, disabled and other passengers who have difficulty using regular public transport. The fleet currently makes about 6,000 trips each week and has roughly 6,700 registered users. Officials say many of the vehicles are past their anticipated operational life and have been causing service issues. Key details: - £6.5 million was approved by West Yorkshire Combined Authority to purchase 33 ultra-low emission access buses. - Access buses feature low floors and internal layouts that provide extra space for wheelchairs and mobility equipment compared with standard buses. - Only a small number of the replacement vehicles will be fully electric; the majority are described as low-emission diesel in local reporting. - A report to members said a fully electric fleet would be too costly now, and that electric vehicles will be trialled to assess their effectiveness for future replacements. - The service has about 6,700 registered users and makes roughly 6,000 trips each week. Summary: The approved funding is intended to replace ageing vehicles and maintain the door-to-door service used by older and disabled passengers. Undetermined at this time.