New West Yorkshire bus fleet under fire for single-door design
Plans to create a publicly owned electric bus fleet in West Yorkshire have drawn criticism from campaigners who say the vehicles should include more doors to aid people with mobility needs and parents with pushchairs.
A new franchised bus network is slated to begin in 2028, with fare levels, routes, and timetables determined by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority.
Earlier this month, a public consultation explored buses for the Weaver Network, inviting feedback on features such as ramps and onboard Wi‑Fi.
Gareth Forest, chair of Better Buses for West Yorkshire, announced a mass bus-boarding event at Leeds Bus Station on Wednesday to spotlight the challenges of boarding and alighting from single-door buses.
“The campaign supporters will board at the station with wheelchairs, prams, suitcases, and other heavy luggage—whatever travelers bring—to demonstrate how inaccessible West Yorkshire’s buses remain,” Mr Forest stated.
“We’ll board as many buses as is necessary to accommodate all wheelchair users and parents with children.”
He added that the group is urging West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin to “double the doors” on the new fleet.
Mr Forest argued that in London and across much of Europe, buses feature two or three entry/exit doors, which speeds boarding and enhances safety and convenience for everyone.
Public control of the bus network, he said, presents an opportunity to implement such designs, but he criticized the mayor for ordering a fleet of 500 single-door buses instead.
Improved boarding would also shorten overall journeys by freeing up space and speeding passenger flow, according to Mr Forest.
He even proposed reintroducing conductors so that drivers can focus on driving rather than handling fares and passenger safety—an arrangement seen by some as more equitable for drivers and riders alike.
A spokesperson for the West Yorkshire Combined Authority responded that returning bus services to public control will take time, including the ongoing upgrade of existing infrastructure as part of the new Weaver Network.
While acknowledging the benefits of double doors, the spokesperson noted that constraints such as pedestrian-path widths, current bus station layouts, and bus stops may complicate passenger exits from a second entrance.
They stressed that feedback will be considered as the region works toward a better-connected system that serves all residents.
Listen to West Yorkshire highlights on BBC Sounds, or catch the latest Look North episode for more details.
