Members of the West Yorkshire Integrated Transport Authority (ITA) have approved plans for improvements to a key bus route between Bradford and Leeds.

Bus operator First is proposing to increase the frequency on service 72 to every seven minutes, Monday to Saturday daytime, and to re-deploy the 'Streetcar' buses currently used on service 4. The buses, supplemented by the Streetcars previously in use in York, will be refurbished before going into service.

At today's meeting the ITA Executive Board approved £74,000 work to upgrade stops and shelters along the route and to amalgamate a number of stops on Leeds city centre's Eastgate to create a 'super stop' similar way to one introduced recently on Boar Lane as part of the Trinity development work.

"This represents a significant investment in vehicles and infrastructure by Metro and First," said Metro Chairman Cllr James Lewis. "As well as the refurbished buses, many shelters and bus stops along the route in Armley, Stanningley, Thornbury and Bradford Moor will be updated and given raised kerbing to allow level boarding of the Streetcars.

"Service 72 runs along one of the key Leeds - Bradford corridors, and the improved service would help reduce congestion by offering commuters an attractive alternative to the car."

Wi-fi

Further investment in the fleet by First could see the introduction of wi-fi and ticketing initiatives, with the eventual aim of increasing the frequency to 10 buses per hour. Meanwhile, service 4 will revert to conventional bus operation, but in line with requests from passengers in the area will extend from Waterloo in Pudsey to Thornbury Barracks and Highfield Green.

"In recent years, we've seen patronage over the route increase to the point where over a third of travel-to-work journeys along this important corridor are made on service 72," said Bradford Council's Portfolio holder for Transport, Cllr Val Slater.

"By working together, First, Bradford and Leeds Councils and Metro will be able to deliver a high-quality travelling experience for existing and new bus passengers.

"I am please the ITA has to supported these proposals for this key route connecting Bradford and Leeds."

Exciting

Dave Alexander, Regional Managing Director for First in the North of England, said: "This is an exciting strategically important project that will bring significant economic and social benefits to Leeds and Bradford.

"We look forward to strengthening the agreement between First, WYITA, Metro, Leeds and Bradford Councils to help us achieve our joint aim of achieving passenger growth leading to a more sustainable transport system in West Yorkshire."

With funding for infrastructure enhancements approved , the new service 72 could be in place in time for the scheduled service changes in October 2012.