Press releases

Following a six-year project involving Arriva, Metro, Wakefield Council and Kirklees Metropolitan District Council, the final phase of the model bus route scheme was presented to the Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB) this week.

Based around the 126/127 Dewsbury to Wakefield service, the scheme has delivered a wide variety of improvements to the overall bus journey experience on the route including raised kerbs making it easier for passengers to get on and off, new bus stop infrastructure including shelters fitted with better lighting and information, and bus stop clearways to discourage parking at stops and make it easier for buses to pull in close to the kerb.

Aimed at creating better ways for older and disabled people to use local bus services the project began in 1999. Route 126/127 was chosen as a pilot following discussions between Arriva plc, RNIB Corporate Partnerships, RNIB Disability Consultancy and JMU Access Partnership.

The scheme has been progressed as part of the Yorkshire bus partnership which includes Metro, South Yorkshire PTE, West and South Yorkshire District Councils, York City Council and local bus operators including Arriva. The aim of the Yorkshire bus partnership is to improve the quality of bus services throughout Yorkshire .

Arriva, Metro, Wakefield Council and Kirklees Metropolitan District Council have worked closely to provide all possible suggested recommendations. In total there has been a collective investment of over £300,000.

Phil Stone, managing director Arriva Yorkshire, said:

We are extremely proud to be a part of this scheme and we are always looking for ways in which we can further improve our services to better meet the needs of all of our customers. We are committed to providing accessible services for our customers and we have been working to ensure that customers with disabilities are able to use our services with confidence.

Metro chairman Cllr Karam Hussain said:

This is a perfect example of Metro and its partners working together with a single aim, to provide benefits for passengers.

This joint approach, through the Yorkshire bus partnership means we can pool our resources, maximize improvements and help enable the bus network to reach its full potential.

Albert Manifield, Wakefield Council's deputy cabinet member for regeneration, said:

The council is delighted to have played an integral part in the scheme. It has improved the kerbing so that the low floor buses can dock with the stops and is introducing clearways at the bus stops to keep them clear of cars.

Sharon Almond from JMU Access Partnership added:

We are delighted Arriva Yorkshire and all concerned in the Model Bus Route have made considerable changes to this service which enhances bus journeys for people with sight problems. We look forward to seeing ongoing changes.