The bus service running between Bradford and Leeds will become 24/7

A BUS service running between Bradford and Leeds is to become 24/7 – the first in the region to do so.

The First Bus 72 service provides a vital mode of transport for those wishing to travel to and from the UK’s third and tenth most populous city.

With places like London offering night services for commuters, many were frustrated that this had yet to come to West Yorkshire.

From September 1, the changes made to service 72 will no longer be the case.

Trips will be added in the late evening and early hours and will operate seven days a week.

First Bus says the 24-hour connectivity “aligns well with City Hall’s commitments to focus on the safety of women and girls.”

Kayleigh Ingham, Commercial Director for First North & West Yorkshire, said: “We are delighted to be preparing the launch of West Yorkshire’s first 24-hour bus service on our route 72 running between Leeds and Bradford.

“It has always been a high-frequency route for us, and we are now investing further in our network to build on the success we have seen on this route, while ensuring the best possible service for our customers.

“This 24-hour service will benefit all sectors of the local economy and society, helping to support the night-time economy, shift work and leisure and hospitality markets. Safety is our top priority and we believe this 24/7 connectivity aligns well with City Hall’s commitments to focus on the safety of women and girls.

“The bus is one of the cheapest, most convenient and most sustainable ways to travel in North and West Yorkshire.”

Pudsey Ward Councilor Trish Smith took to Facebook to present a letter she received from First Bus.

It reads: “I am writing to inform you of some important service changes we are introducing from 1 September as we continue to develop our network to better meet customer needs.

“Our 72 service operating between Bradford and Leeds will become the first 24-hour bus service in West Yorkshire.

“This is achieved with added late evening and early hours journeys which will operate seven days a week.

“This builds on the success we have seen on this travel corridor where there has been a combined frequency of seven to eight minutes along with the X6 express service since additional buses were introduced in May.

“This 24-hour service will benefit all sectors of the local economy and society, helping to support the night-time economy, shift work and leisure and hospitality markets.

“Safety is our top priority and we believe this 24/7 connectivity aligns well with the Mayor’s commitments to focus on the safety of women and girls.

“A further seven services have been reviewed and rescheduled using the specialist scheduling software we have invested in to support better prediction of journey times throughout the day. These are 16, 47/47A, 65, 74, 75 and 86.

“This will mean some timetable adjustments to allow for peak periods, which we believe will give customers more accuracy in planning their journeys and which will further improve the reliability of the bus service.

“Full details of the changes will be published on our website from Friday 2 August together with the communication to customers.”