West Yorkshire’s public transport network and the continued role it will platy in the Covid 19 recovery, will be the topic of discussion at the next West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s Transport Committee

Members will hear about the longer term strategy for the recovery of the region’s transport network, including how the pandemic has caused a shift in people’s transport and working patterns.

According to the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, from the start of September most bus services will return to just under 100% of normal services. But, the capacity of buses will continue to be limited to about 50% due to social distancing.

The Authority has said that the reduced demand and loss of revenue is continuing to have significant impact on the financial stability of local bus services, with the authority required by the government to keep funding bus operators as if all services were running and patronage was at pre-lockdown levels.

Cllr Kim Groves, chair of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority Transport Committee, said: “A strong public transport network is critical to West Yorkshire’s economic recovery and our long-term prosperity. Getting passengers safely and successfully back on public transport over the coming weeks and months is going to be crucial – particularly for those who rely on public transport to get to work, education, healthcare or do the weekly shop and for whom buses especially are a lifeline.

“We continue to seek a long-term funding solution from government to ensure we can maximise capacity on the network while maintaining social distancing. Buses link households to jobs, education and leisure so if we cannot deliver these bus services the impact on society is huge. Bus funding and governance models need a radical overhaul that delivers value for money, reliability and affordability.”