Improving bus information across West Yorkshire (Network Navigation)
This public engagement ran from the 24th November to 22nd December 2022, and has now closed.
Thank you to everyone who took part. You can read the outcome report here and an accessibility update here.
To view all updates on this project please visit the West Yorkshire Combined Authority website.
The information below was presented during the public engagement.
We would like to share with you our plans to improve the information you use to plan journeys and use the bus system around West Yorkshire.
Check out the video below and let us know your views by filling in our survey (now closed).
We want to make it easier to plan and take bus journeys. We are creating a user-friendly and accessible set of maps and new colour coded bus stop flags, shelters and other on-street infrastructure that link to bus lines across West Yorkshire. We have created over 40 bus lines that group together existing services to help you easily navigate the core bus network and get you from A to B.
These improvements are planned on the core bus network for stops with services that run at least every 15 minutes or better. This builds on the principles of the Leeds Core Bus Network Project.
The project is also looking to introduce additional real time units across West Yorkshire to improve access to up-to-date bus information. These real time units will be equipped with an audio function to enable a greater level of access.
Why are we doing this?
This project aims to:
- Address the current challenges people face when trying to plan and get around using the bus network in West Yorkshire
- Help people who are both familiar and unfamiliar with the core bus network to get around more easily
- Encourage more people to use the bus as they will be able to plan their routes and journeys more easily
- Create greater confidence in bus arrival by introducing additional real time units throughout West Yorkshire.
What are the benefits?
This scheme has the potential to:
- Encourage more people to travel by bus
- Provide benefits to the economy by enabling people to travel to work, education, shops and other local services more easily
- Provide social benefits including improvements to people's health and reductions in social isolation.
The project is part of a collection of transport improvements planned within the Transforming Cities Fund Portfolio. Transforming Cities Fund is a collection of projects looking to:
- Create a more accessible, affordable and attractive greener transport option.
- Improve transport connections to employment and education.
- Enable the development of happier and healthier communities for the future.
What are we doing?
We are creating a package of wayfinding maps and enhancements to bus flags and bus shelters that reflect the colours and names of the bus lines across West Yorkshire. These improvements are planned for stops on the core bus network with services that run at least every 15 minutes.
We are also looking to introduce up to 500 additional real time units across Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield.
Example of a district core network map
This map shows the core bus network across the city. It includes named and coloured route lines to help you find which bus you need to take to get from A to B. Appropriate maps for the relevant district will be displayed at key locations across the district and in most bus shelters on the network.
Example of a district centre map
The district centre map shows you where to catch your bus in a district centre. One of these will be produced for Wakefield, Huddersfield, Halifax and Bradford. We have created new zones to make it easier to understand where your bus goes from, and we will simplify the way bus stands are identified, using simple stop letters.
Town centre maps will also be created for smaller centres within a district and will show you where to catch your bus along with information regarding bus services departing from these locations.
New bus stop flags
The new bus flags show:
- Service numbers of all bus routes operating from that stop
- the colour and name of the line that serves the stop
- direction of travel
- the availability of contactless payments.
This new flag aims to make it easier for you to identify which buses and lines operate from that stop.
To make it easier to find your stop we will apply colours and names of the bus lines to shelters across the core network. You will be able to see which line serves that stop from the colours, graphics and information on the shelter.
To create greater confidence when waiting for your bus the project is also looking to install stand alone, battery powered real time units. Whilst displaying information of the core network it will also show when your next bus is arriving, and have an audio function to increase accessibility.
How can you get involved?
The work being undertaken is a continuation of the Leeds Core Network Project, though it may be possible to tweak the designs and update existing products from the Leeds project. We are interested in hearing your views on the design of the maps, bus stop flags and shelter improvements - particularly what you consider effective elements of these alterations.
Subject to funding approval, these improvements are likely to be rolled out from Summer 2023.
While the engagement was open, people were able to have their say by:
- Taking part in our survey (various formats were available)
- Emailing, phoning or writing to us
- Asking a question using our Q&A tool
You may wish to join the Your Voice community where you can choose to be kept informed about the development of this project, and receive information on opportunities to have your say on a variety of projects.
Next steps
The feedback from the consultation exercise which ran 24th November to 22nd December 2022, has supported the Full Business Case submission for West Yorkshire Network Navigation, which was approved by the Combined Authority in April 2023. The first phase of the scheme is now moving into the delivery phase.
Maps and pictures
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Example Core Network map (Calderdale) (1.21 MB) (pdf)
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Example District Centre map (Leeds) (1.9 MB) (pdf)
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Example Town Centre map (Dewsbury) (196 KB) (jpg)
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Example of a new bus stop flag (4.49 MB) (JPG)
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Example of bus shelter enhancements pic.pdf (183 KB) (pdf)
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Example of Real Time Display unit (59.1 KB) (pdf)