Landmark deal set to deliver 1,000 new bus drivers for West Yorkshire

More than 1,000 new bus and coach drivers are set to be created in West Yorkshire under a landmark contract between training provider Realise and the local authority - West Yorkshire Combined Authority - helping to safeguard vital routes and services. 

The free-to-access Route to Success bus driver training programme will run over the next four years. 

The fully funded scheme is open to residents of Leeds, Bradford, Wakefield, Kirklees and Calderdale aged 19 and over, offering them the chance to pursue a new career as a bus driver. 

The funding has come through the devolved adult education budget of the Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin. 

A minimum of 320 learners a year will complete stage one of the Route to Success training up until July 2029. Stage one is classroom based and covers the fundamentals of bus and coach driving and challenges common misconceptions about the profession. 

Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said: “Here in West Yorkshire, we’re investing over £60 million to build a region of learning and creativity, equipping people with the skills they need to put more money in their pockets and contribute to a stronger, brighter region. 

“With this new investment into bus driver training, we’ll help up to 1,000 people into good, fulfilling jobs while protecting the essential bus services our communities rely on. 

“By harnessing the full potential of devolution over skills and transport, we’re putting in place the local, diverse talent our Weaver Network will need to run more services, ramp-up reliability, and transform the economy and society of West Yorkshire for generations to come.” 

 At least 90 learners a year will go on to complete stage two of the programme, which focusses on on-road, practical training. 

Those who complete the second stage are given assistance to find employment with SMEs in the region, helping smaller operators find the newly-trained drivers they require to operate. 

Meanwhile, many of the stage one learners who do not progress to stage two with Realise will instead go on to complete their training with major bus and coach operators in the region. 

Kairon Flowers, Director of Transport at Realise, said: “We are delighted to have secured this four-year contract extension to continue our important work in West Yorkshire. 

“The Mayor of West Yorkshire has made a pledge to ensure everyone in the region has the skills they need to secure work. This programme offers hundreds of people each year the chance to do just that. 

“Route to Success offers people a fantastic opportunity to embark on an exciting and rewarding new career path, while addressing the bus driver shortage and protecting vital services.” 

More than 600 people in West Yorkshire have engaged with Realise’s Route to Success programme since its launch in 2022, with many going on to secure jobs with transport organisations such as Arriva and First Bus. 

Anyone completing the course should secure a Passenger Carrying Vehicle Licence (PCV) no more than six weeks after starting the programme and will be guaranteed an interview with a local bus provider. 

Qualified bus drivers can expect 38-hour contracts and job security. 

To apply visit www.routetosuccess.co.uk