New bus service running between Pontefract and Pinderfields Hospital to launch

A new bus service, and improvements to several others, are on the way to Wakefield thanks to funding from the Mayor of West Yorkshire.

A new service, the 157, will provide a direct, hourly connection between Pontefract, Spital Hardwick, Castleford and Pinderfields Hospital from May, making it easier for communities across Wakefield to access health services.

West Yorkshire Mayor, Tracy Brabin, will reinstate a direct link to Pinderfields Hospital and improve other Wakefield bus routes thanks to new funding.

placeholder image — West Yorkshire Mayor, Tracy Brabin, will reinstate a direct link to Pinderfields Hospital and improve other Wakefield bus routes thanks to new funding.

Combined with the existing 147 service, buses will also run every thirty minutes between Wakefield, Altofts and Normanton - doubling the frequency for passengers.

The 147 will also benefit from new evening journeys and an hourly Sunday service.

Mayor Tracy Brabin has teamed up with bus operator Arriva, providing funding to deliver these new and improved services.

Furthermore, Ross Travel has also been given funding to extend its 144/146 service from Pontefract to Junction 32 and Airedale every hour to replace the current 186 in this area.

This will create new links from Featherstone to Junction 32.

Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin said: “Buses are the bedrock of West Yorkshire’s transport system.

“These services will better-connect communities – whether people are visiting hospital, getting to work or training, or simply seeing friends.

“We are bringing buses back under local control from next year as part of our Weaver Network, but we are not waiting around to deliver better bus services for West Yorkshire."

Coun Matthew Morley, Wakefield Council's Cabinet Member for Planning, Highways and Transport, said: “We’re really pleased that the Mayor and Arriva are bringing these new services forward.

"The benefits for residents will be felt straight away.

"These changes will make a real difference to everyone in the area who relies on public transport.”