Arriva to discontinue some West Yorkshire bus routes due to driver shortage

Arriva, a bus operator, has confirmed its decision to reduce a number of routes in West Yorkshire, attributing the move to a shortage of drivers. The company has informed the region’s Mayor that it will refrain from re-bidding for certain local authority contracts it currently holds for service provision once these agreements conclude in February. Arriva indicated that it has struggled to deliver the required service level and intends to focus on its remaining routes. West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin stated that Arriva’s reliability had led to significant problems for bus users in Wakefield, with passengers having experienced a “terrible service”. Brabin clarified that commuters in Wakefield had less “choice” of services than those residing in other areas of the county. She also criticized Arriva for “salami slicing” its routes and withdrawing some weekend buses. Brabin further expressed her hope that the situation would improve once West Yorkshire’s bus services are returned to public control, a process projected to be finalized by 2028. She confirmed that the West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) had contributed funding for driver recruitment and training, but noted that only a small number of new drivers had joined Arriva. Arriva specified that the services slated for changes in 2025 include the 21/22 route operating between Seacroft and Castleford, the 517 route from Halifax to Shelf, and the 212 route connecting Dewsbury and Wakefield. The company also mentioned that further timetable alterations are currently being finalized and will be disclosed in the forthcoming weeks. Arriva further stated that, given the persistent driver shortage, it was considered “essential” to enhance existing services instead of operating tenders awarded by local councils. Kim Cain, area director for Arriva Yorkshire, issued a statement: “We’re sorry that our customers and communities haven’t received the service they rightly expect from us.“We’re determined to improve things, which is why we’re making these changes and we’ll keep our customers updated with any further news as soon as we’re able to.“We’re working in partnership with the local transport authorities to ensure that the impact is minimised.”