Yorkshire Buses Get £15M Fleet Upgrade

Arriva Yorkshire deploys 50 new buses on Wakefield and Castleford routes through 2026

Arriva Yorkshire Adds 50 New Buses in £15M Deal

Arriva Yorkshire riders on routes serving Wakefield and Castleford will see 50 brand-new buses rolling out starting late December 2024, transit officials said. The £15 million investment replaces some of the operator's oldest vehicles currently in service across the region. Routes X10, 110, 164, and 165 will receive the new fleet in a two-phase rollout extending into early 2026.

Major Fleet Modernization

The fleet replacement represents one of Arriva Yorkshire's largest single investments in recent years, according to the company. The new vehicles will operate on key corridors connecting Wakefield and Castleford, two major West Yorkshire towns that rely heavily on bus service for commuter and local travel. Jeff Counsell, Arriva Yorkshire operations director, said the investment demonstrates the company's commitment to providing reliable and comfortable bus services. The upgrade affects routes that serve thousands of daily riders across the regional network.

Phased Deployment Across Four Routes

The rollout will happen in two distinct phases over a 13-month period, officials confirmed. Twenty-five buses will enter service in late December 2024, with the first vehicles expected on roads within weeks. The remaining 25 buses will arrive in January 2026, completing the fleet modernization. Routes X10 and 110 in Wakefield will receive some of the new vehicles, while routes 164 and 165 in Castleford will also benefit from the upgraded fleet. Officials didn't specify exactly how many new buses each individual route will receive or which specific vehicle models were purchased.

Implementation Timeline

The first 25 buses are scheduled to begin passenger service in late December 2024, with deployment continuing through the holiday period and into early 2025. The second phase will bring the remaining 25 vehicles in January 2026, officials said. The extended timeline allows the operator to phase out older vehicles gradually while maintaining service levels throughout the transition. Arriva didn't provide details on what will happen to the buses being replaced or whether any route frequency changes will accompany the new fleet.

Rider Impact

Passengers on the four affected routes can expect newer vehicles with modern amenities replacing aging buses over the next 14 months. The investment aims to improve journey quality for thousands of daily riders in the Wakefield and Castleford networks, Counsell said. Riders can track which buses are operating their routes and get real-time arrival information through Moovit, which provides live updates for Arriva Yorkshire services across the region.