Metro is expecting a visit soon from David Blunkett, in his role as chairman of a yellow school bus commission.

"As our My bus scheme is the largest of its kind in the UK we were sure Mr Blunkett would be keen to come along and find out about it," said Metro Chairman Councillor Ryk Downes.

Around 8,000 pupils are transported to and from 130 West Yorkshire schools on a fleet of 150 purpose-built yellow buses as part of My bus.

"Almost 70% of primary school pupils and 20% of secondary pupils using My bus were formerly taken to school by car, which shows the scheme is having a real impact on congestion," continued Councillor Downes.

“The success of our scheme has been recognised by Tony Blair and visited by former Transport Minister Karen Buck, Schools Minister Lord Adonis and shadow Ministers David Willetts and Chris Grayling so I am sure Mr Blunkett will find his visit informative."

Research has shown that the number of car journeys converted into My bus journeys has been as high as 91% in some parts of West Yorkshire.

Without the daily school run, those pupils’ parents are, on average, saving 54 minutes and driving 30km less every week.

"Parents like the time-saving element of the scheme, the pupils like travelling with their mates and teachers like the fact that the pupils arrive 'talked out on the bus and ready to learn,' and local businesses, which just last week identified the school run as a major cause of congestion costs, will like the impact the scheme is having, so everyone's a winner," added Councillor Downes.