Last chance for a say on bus future

THE public relations battle over who controls West Yorkshire's buses reaches its climax this weekend as a consultation closes on whether mayor Tracy Brabin should follow Andy Burnham by franchising local services.

- ROB PARSONS

Locals have until today to have their say over whether to end the current privatised system and allow fares and routes to be set by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, with Ms Brabin to make a decision in March.

If she backs franchising she'll follow the example of Greater Manchester - where the system is being extended across the region in 2024 with other areas like the Liverpool City Region and the North East expected to take the same course.

Campaigners who want to see public control of buses were on Friday due to hand a 12,000-signature petition to the Labour mayor and were today touring a 2.5 metre banner displaying the petition to five local bus stations, backed by a number of MPs and councillors.