West Yorkshire bus franchising

[Steve440]

I did say that I didn't think it resonated that well outside the Woollen district - Leeds had quite a diverse economic base, and we're talking about a largely dead industry.

However, it is all subjective and a matter of opinion as to whether you want something like it or not

It seems that I am in the minority here as I quite like the Weaver Network name and as green is my favourite colour I am looking forward to seeing the new buses on the streets of my home town Huddersfield. I do think however that the lower panels should be simpler.

 

[paulprentice]

The Weaver Network is a great name and trust me, other parts of the country look on in envy at areas that have directly elected mayors who have been able to draw down these powers and create locally accountable and branded bus networks. The public have a lot more trust in a franchised network with a livery and brand they can identify with rather than a company that is controlled by a hedge fund or a bank in another country, even if the services contracted out to a large group.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

It seems that I am in the minority here as I quite like the Weaver Network name and as green is my favourite colour I am looking forward to seeing the new buses on the streets of my home town Huddersfield. I do think however that the lower panels should be simpler.

As I said before, the Weaver Network name seems to be less appropriate than it could be; I just think they could re-energise the existing Metro image which already has more brand recognition.

I'm not really fussed about the green either way but I did say when the image was originally unveiled that the lower panels will be a bugger to maintain with skirt damage and repairs. It should be simpler, but perhaps it was one for the photoshoot and what is rolled out may be simpler.

The Weaver Network is a great name and trust me, other parts of the country look on in envy at areas that have directly elected mayors who have been able to draw down these powers and create locally accountable and branded bus networks. The public have a lot more trust in a franchised network with a livery and brand they can identify with rather than a company that is controlled by a hedge fund or a bank in another country, even if the services contracted out to a large group.

Those people looking on... Apart from enthusiasts, I bet hardly anyone has a clue what's going on in other areas. Arguably, we've only had Greater Manchester actually deliver it so far and the measurable impact of franchising is yet to be understood as it's early days.

 

[Pyewipecarshed]

Those people looking on... Apart from enthusiasts, I bet hardly anyone has a clue what's going on in other areas. Arguably, we've only had Greater Manchester actually deliver it so far and the measurable impact of franchising is yet to be understood as it's early days

Absolutely hitting the nail on the head here!
When I lived in Leeds most ordinary passengers didn't know about the bus services in other parts of Leeds, let alone elsewhere in West Yorkshire and certainly not in Manchester. And it's the same countrywide; the vast majority of bus users only know and care about the route or routes they need to use.
The only people looking on, in envy or otherwise, are bus enthusiasts and local politicians.

The Weaver Network is a great name

It's an alright name in itself, but not really the best option IMO. Given that Metro is such an established brand they should have stuck with it, at least to my mind.
TfGM as a brand name wasn't as recognisable, and it's worth noting that they continued to use the "M" logo (which of course dates back to 1974 and Greater Manchester Transport), and that Bee Network buses continue to display it.
Perhaps the Metro "M" could be added to the Weaver Network livery for some continuity?

 

[Mollman]

The Weaver Network is a great name and trust me, other parts of the country look on in envy at areas that have directly elected mayors who have been able to draw down these powers and create locally accountable and branded bus networks. The public have a lot more trust in a franchised network with a livery and brand they can identify with rather than a company that is controlled by a hedge fund or a bank in another country, even if the services contracted out to a large group.

You don't work for the Urban Transport Group do you?

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Absolutely hitting the nail on the head here!
When I lived in Leeds most ordinary passengers didn't know about the bus services in other parts of Leeds, let alone elsewhere in West Yorkshire and certainly not in Manchester. And it's the same countrywide; the vast majority of bus users only know and care about the route or routes they need to use.
The only people looking on, in envy or otherwise, are bus enthusiasts and local politicians.

It's an alright name in itself, but not really the best option IMO. Given that Metro is such an established brand they should have stuck with it, at least to my mind.
TfGM as a brand name wasn't as recognisable, and it's worth noting that they continued to use the "M" logo (which of course dates back to 1974 and Greater Manchester Transport), and that Bee Network buses continue to display it.
Perhaps the Metro "M" could be added to the Weaver Network livery for some continuity?

The Metro M is an awful lazy logo, it's only recognised because it's been so widespread for the last 35+ years. An M in a circle? Be still my beating heart!
The old WYPTE rose logo was much better, I'd rather see that revived. The Manchester M, well at least Manchester actually begins with M- None of the major settlements in West Yorkshire do.

The Weaver Network name is just following the latest regional government trend. "Oh look, Burnham's got his Bee Network and he's really popular, let's do something like that!".

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

The Metro M is an awful logo, it's only recognised because it's been so widespread for the last 35+ years. The old WYPTE rose logo was much better, I'd rather see that revived.

I don't know why you'd consider it to be awful? It's a bit functional, granted, but having that level of recognition is pretty good. However, I appreciate that we all have our views.

I take it you're referring Flickr image (not mine) of WY logo - I recalled that it does survive in Sowerby Bridge...and was still there when the Google car last drove past

The Weaver Network name is just following the latest regional government trend. "Oh look, Burnham's got his Bee Network and he's really popular, let's do something like that!".

Absolutely my thoughts. Very much bandwagon jumping.

 

[Leyland Bus]

I don't know why you'd consider it to be awful? It's a bit functional, granted, but having that level of recognition is pretty good. However, I appreciate that we all have our views.

I take it you're referring Flickr image (not mine) of WY logo - I recalled that it does survive in Sowerby Bridge...and was still there when the Google car last drove past

View attachment 204131

Absolutely my thoughts. Very much bandwagon jumping.

Any chance they are dropping Metro becuase Liverpool are using it going forwards??

Regarding the lovely old WYPTE logo, there was one on a sign post in Dewsbury til fairly recently, complete with NBC "Double N" logo (IIRC), somewhere near the bus station. May even still be there...

 

[61653 HTAFC]

I don't know why you'd consider it to be awful? It's a bit functional, granted, but having that level of recognition is pretty good. However, I appreciate that we all have our views.

I take it you're referring Flickr image (not mine) of WY logo - I recalled that it does survive in Sowerby Bridge...and was still there when the Google car last drove past

As I said (in my edit admittedly) an M in a circle is lazy and generic. At least the old logo (and yes, the Sowerby Bridge example is the one I mean) was unique to West Yorkshire.

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Any chance they are dropping Metro becuase Liverpool are using it going forwards??

Regarding the lovely old WYPTE logo, there was one on a sign post in Dewsbury til fairly recently, complete with NBC "Double N" logo (IIRC), somewhere near the bus station. May even still be there...

There's one in a back street behind the old police station, I think that's the one you mean. It is still there, at least it was yesterday!

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Any chance they are dropping Metro becuase Liverpool are using it going forwards??

Regarding the lovely old WYPTE logo, there was one on a sign post in Dewsbury til fairly recently, complete with NBC "Double N" logo (IIRC), somewhere near the bus station. May even still be there...

I don't think it has anything to do with Liverpool - who in Keighley knows what goes on in Hemsworth, let alone Kirkby? It's all to do with some perceived need for something new and shiny and a break from the past. Of course, the irony is that in the same motion, it looks back on a moribund, lost industry! After all, Metro seemed to exist in a world of verona and cream buses, and yellow trains in Tyneside

I seem to recall that Dewsbury one has been mentioned before.

 

[Leyland Bus]

I don't think it has anything to do with Liverpool - who in Keighley knows what goes on in Hemsworth, let alone Kirkby? It's all to do with some perceived need for something new and shiny and a break from the past. Of course, the irony is that in the same motion, it looks back on a moribund, lost industry! After all, Metro seemed to exist in a world of verona and cream buses, and yellow trains in Tyneside

I seem to recall that Dewsbury one has been mentioned before.

It's got nothing to do with folk on the ground it's the shiny suits that will know and it's likely they wouldn't want the same name... Twas merely thinking aloud either way

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

It's got nothing to do with folk on the ground it's the shiny suits that will know and it's likely they wouldn't want the same name... Twas merely thinking aloud either way

No worries I think it's probably Tracy Brabin wanting to have some new and different with a thin veneer of nostalgic localism.

 

[Leyland Bus]

No worries I think it's probably Tracy Brabin wanting to have some new and different with a thin veneer of nostalgic localism.

Probably

 

[GoneSouth]

Here’s a link to a better example

MetroBus logo

In 1981, a joint management company was set up to coordinate the services run by the West Yorkshire PTE and National Bus Company subsidiaries in West Yorkshire. This fleet name and logo appeared on buses throughout the county from June 1981. Soon after, buses of other operators such as West...

www.flickr.com

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Ah back in the days when buses were frequent and cheap

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 13 May 2026 ==

I do like the WYWYWYWY turned into a circle, almost like a rose, simple 1970s tools to get the job done but it was binned at bus privatisation so only had a lifespan of about 13 years.

Nothing really wrong with using a large M, Merseyside do it, Tyne and Wear metro do it, greater Manchester do it, it’s just not as unique as the circular WY lettering

 

[NorthernSpirit]

Metro, at one point, mentioned on their website that we would see weaver vehicles start to appear on the streets in 2026. This has since been removed, but you never know.

Could this be down to the fact that Councillor Hinchcliffe has since lost her seat in the recent local elections? Meaning that Braibin will now have to work with Reform, a selection of Independents or Lib Dems.

For the matter of clarity - Calderdale has no Conservative councillors, Kirklees has no Labour councillors and Wakefield is now a Reform council. Bradford appears to be no overall control and Leeds only had one third of their seats up for election.

I can see this Weaver Network project being heavily revised in the coming months.

 

[mattb7tl]

Could this be down to the fact that Councillor Hinchcliffe has since lost her seat in the recent local elections? Meaning that Braibin will now have to work with Reform, a selection of Independents or Lib Dems.

For the matter of clarity - Calderdale has no Conservative councillors, Kirklees has no Labour councillors and Wakefield is now a Reform council. Bradford appears to be no overall control and Leeds only had one third of their seats up for election.

I can see this Weaver Network project being heavily revised in the coming months.

It was removed from the website far before the elections were even a thought. I mentioned on the local forum that reform voters overwhelmingly support public ownership of bus services, more so than the conservatives, which allowed bus franchising in the first place. A reform councillor or politician would be acting against the interest of their own voters to mess with the Weaver Network.

https://ygo-assets-websites-editorial-emea.yougov.net/documents/Internal_Nationalisation_240613_W.pdf

 

[GoneSouth]

A reform councillor or politician would be acting against the interest of their own voters to mess with the Weaver Network.

https://ygo-assets-websites-editorial-emea.yougov.net/documents/Internal_Nationalisation_240613_W.pdf

And wouldn’t think twice about doing so. They are the party of deep cuts to public involvement in running (and spending money on) anything and everything.

 

[Tetchytyke]

Could this be down to the fact that Councillor Hinchcliffe has since lost her seat in the recent local elections? Meaning that Braibin will now have to work with Reform, a selection of Independents or Lib Dems

The WYCA board is made up of the leaders of the various councils, plus three extras to balance things politically. So it's hard to tell what will happen. The issue isn't that Hinchcliffe lost her seat.

Calderdale and Wakefield's leaders are going to be Reform but Leeds' will stay as Labour. Bradford and Kirklees are both under no overall control, the leaders may be Reform but it's not yet certain. I don't know where the three balancing roles will go to, but one would assume Labour will get at least one.

 

[JWalker127]

2 photos of a weaver network wright double decker have appeared. Credit to @theleedsbusdriver on tiktok

 

[Hyebone]

2 photos of a weaver network wright double decker have appeared. Credit to @theleedsbusdriver on tiktok

I'm a fan. It's a unique design without the problems of re-applying any complex designs to replacement skirt panels.

 

[Leyland Bus]

Hard to see this is the final livery? Looks like a vinyl wrap and what is going on with just the very front being a different green?

Dull, boring and possibly contender for worst of the lot...

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

2 photos of a weaver network wright double decker have appeared. Credit to @theleedsbusdriver on tiktokView attachment 204229View attachment 204228

Well, I'm a bit mixed on this one. The dark green looks very dark (though might be different in daylight) - dare I say it, it's as dull as the Stagecoach blue. I'm not a fan.

I'd actually prefer the lighter green all over but perhaps with a dark green skirt. It is a good move to amend the livery on the lower deck/skirt panels having had the graphics removed, as that was wholly impractical.

 

[Andyh82]

Well, I'm a bit mixed on this one. The dark green looks very dark (though might be different in daylight) - dare I say it, it's as dull as the Stagecoach blue. I'm not a fan.

I'd actually prefer the lighter green all over but perhaps with a dark green skirt. It is a good move to amend the livery on the lower deck/skirt panels having had the graphics removed, as that was wholly impractical.

Surely they can still but the design on the lower panels just not the very lowest skirt panels? It’s no different than where most operators put the fleetname

The location they’ve put the design on this example looks like an after thought

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Surely they can still but the design on the lower panels just not the very lowest skirt panels? It’s no different than where most operators put the fleetname

The location they’ve put the design on this example looks like an after thought

Well, yes, but the design as originally shown stretched over skirt and lower panels, and a lot easier to replace a fleetname than a complex patterned vinyl.

 

[noddingdonkey]

Some more photos of it in daylight on the Mayor's Facebook page

Mayor of West Yorkshire

Presenting West Yorkshire’s best-dressed bus – the all-new Weaver Network From next year, you'll see plenty of these on your streets, as we bring buses back under public control with our Weaver...

www.facebook.com

 

[Leyland Bus]

Some more photos of it in daylight on the Mayor's Facebook page

Mayor of West Yorkshire

Presenting West Yorkshire’s best-dressed bus – the all-new Weaver Network From next year, you'll see plenty of these on your streets, as we bring buses back under public control with our Weaver...

www.facebook.com

Put it back inside, looks worse in daylight...

 

[Tetchytyke]

I like the two-tone green but I don't think the way the colours interact with each other works very well. The more plain lower skirts make sense, as does the skirt being a darker green.

I still think they should just go with verona green and buttermilk and have done with it!

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

I like the two-tone green but I don't think the way the colours interact with each other works very well. The more plain lower skirts make sense, as does the skirt being a darker green.

I still think they should just go with verona green and buttermilk and have done with it!

I'm much the same as you... In fact, I'm getting worried that we seem to be agreeing too much recently

A simple version with a darker skirt but the rest being brighter would make more sense, similar to this short lived scheme in Somerset. The Weaver Network dark green being the dominant colour isn't very arresting IMO.




Don't know if we should be going back to the 1970s liveries...or else we might end up with South Yorkshire getting coffee and cream!!

 

[JD2168]

I like the two-tone green but I don't think the way the colours interact with each other works very well. The more plain lower skirts make sense, as does the skirt being a darker green.

I still think they should just go with verona green and buttermilk and have done with it!

The colour scheme reminds me of a WECA livery bus on the front & on the side one with the British Supplements advert that is currently about.

I get why they have moved the branding up as you would have ended up with a situation similar to Stagecoach’s Local livery where it looks great at first but after a few replacement panels it looks a mess. I just think it would look better if the pattern was between the decks on the side

 

[Goldfish62]

It looks like, "oh, we messed up with a completely impractical livery so let's just remove the patterns from the sides and that'll do".