UK: Weaver Network has been launched as a unified multimodal branding for public transport in West Yorkshire, as the region prepares for bus franchising and the construction of a light rail tram system centred on Leeds.
The name is ‘inspired by the region’s industrial past and visually reflects the cultural fabric of modern-day West Yorkshire’.
It will replace the Metro brand launched in 1974. To minimise costs, it will be gradually introduced with planned replacement works at bus stops and stations. It will then be rolled out when buses are franchised from 2027, before being included on the planned tram. It is hoped that local rail services could also eventually be included.
On May 19 Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin told Rail Business UK that ‘for me what is really important is not just a great bus network or a great rail network, it is connectivity. So buses feed the train, they feed the tram. We are on target for spades in the ground on tram by 2028, so it’s all go in West Yorkshire.’
Looking ahead to the government’s June Spending Review, Brabin said ‘what we need from government, and we have offered a pragmatic approach, is a phased set of projects that will keep us all on track. At the moment, I really do believe we’re getting a good hearing, and I know from the meetings I’ve had with [Secretary of State for Transport] Heidi Alexander and also [Rail Minister] Lord Hendy, that they’re very warm towards it.’
