West Yorkshire to bring bus services under public control

Campaigners and metro mayors have described the deregulation of buses outside London as leading to a ‘wild west’ of private operators cherry-picking profitable routes. Photograph: Gary Calton/The Observer

Bus services in West Yorkshire will be brought under public control, as it becomes the third major region of the north to reverse four decades of deregulation.

The region’s mayor, Tracy Brabin, said the decision was a “historic moment” that “will impact on generations to come”, adding: “Buses are vital for our communities, and franchising will help us build that better connected network that works for all.”