The West Yorkshire Combined Authority is committed to creating a brighter region that works for all, alongside our partner local authorities (Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees, Leeds and Wakefield).
The Transport Levy
Across West Yorkshire, each of our five partner local authorities contributes to a collective budget for transport services, known as the Transport Levy. This funding is used to fund concessionary fares and support bus routes and services that aren’t covered by commercial providers.
In 2026-27, the total Transport Levy will be £100 million and contributions from each local authority will be:
| Local authority | Population* | Transport Levy (£m) | % of total Levy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bradford | 563,605 | 23.1 | 23% |
| Calderdale | 210,929 | 8.6 | 9% |
| Kirklees | 447,847 | 18.4 | 18% |
| Leeds | 845,189 | 34.7 | 35% |
| Wakefield | 367,666 | 15.1 | 15% |
| TOTAL | 2,435,236 | 99.9 | 100% |
* Source: ONS Data on 30th July 2025
This funding covers the delivery of the following transport services and functions:
Expenditure
| Budget spending | 2025/2026 £m | 2026/2027 £m |
|---|---|---|
| Concessions for elderly and disabled people | 40 | 45 |
| Young Person’s concessions | 11 | 11 |
| Accessible transport | 4 | 4 |
| Subsidised bus services | 26 | 28 |
| Assets and Facilities | 7 | 8 |
| Corporate Support Costs | 6 | 5 |
| Financing Costs | 12 | 12 |
| TOTAL Expenditure | 106 | 113 |
In 2026/27, we will commit £45 million to funding concessionary travel schemes for older and disabled people, £11m on concessions for young people and £28 million on subsidised bus services.
Where the funding comes from
| Funding source | 2025/2026 (£m) | 2026/2027 (£m) |
|---|---|---|
| Reserves | 8.1 | 13.5 |
| Funded by the Levy | 97.9 | 99.9 |
Coming next
In April 2027, we will be launching the Weaver Network – an integrated public transport system that will bring the first franchised buses to the streets of West Yorkshire. Our vision for the Weaver Network is to create an integrated and sustainable system which works for everyone - making journeys easier and faster whether you use public transport or walk, wheel or cycle.
Find out more
Find out more about the West Yorkshire Combined Authority.
