Yorkshire Buses Closure Hits Horsforth-Pudsey Service 2026

Key Points

• Yorkshire Buses, a regional bus operator serving West Leeds and surrounding areas, has ceased all operations effective from 8pm on Tuesday, due to unsustainable rising costs including fuel.
• The closure stems from severe cashflow issues triggered by significant increases in operational expenses, rendering the business unviable amid forecasts of further cost hikes.
• Impacted services include: Service 30 (Horsforth to Pudsey, off-peak); Service 61 (St James Hospital to Hunslet/South Leeds Stadium); Service 116 (Leeds to Ossett to Wakefield); Service 118 (Wakefield to White Rose Centre, evenings only – daytime unaffected as operated by Arriva); Service 212 (Wakefield to Batley to Dewsbury); and limited journeys on Service 1 (Leeds to Wakefield, with alternatives available).
• West Yorkshire Metro, the public transport arm of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, confirmed it is urgently contacting other operators to cover the routes but anticipates service gaps until arrangements are finalised.
• Yorkshire Buses expressed gratitude to passengers, nurses, supporters, staff, partners, and others for their loyalty in a heartfelt social media statement.
• The announcement was posted on Yorkshire Buses’ social media on Tuesday, marking an abrupt end to operations across key regional routes.

West Leeds (The Leeds Times) April 1, 2026 – Yorkshire Buses, the regional operator serving vital routes across West Leeds and beyond, has abruptly ceased all operations from 8pm on Tuesday, citing crippling rises in fuel and other costs that have made the business unviable. The shock closure leaves commuters on key services like the Horsforth to Pudsey route facing immediate disruptions, with West Yorkshire Metro scrambling to secure replacements amid likely short-term gaps in provision.

What Led to Yorkshire Buses’ Sudden Shutdown?

The decision to fold came after prolonged financial strain, primarily driven by escalating fuel prices and broader operational cost increases. As detailed in the company’s official social media announcement posted on Tuesday, Yorkshire Buses stated:

“After much thought and consideration, the continued rise in costs which includes fuel and many other significant increases has made it no longer sustainable for us to continue operating.”

The statement continued:

“This has not been an easy decision, and it is one we have fought hard to avoid however with further cost increases forecast on the horizon the decision has had to be made sooner rather than later.”

Insiders suggest cashflow problems reached a critical point, exacerbated by post-pandemic recovery challenges and volatile energy markets affecting the entire UK bus sector.

Yorkshire Buses emphasised the emotional toll of the closure, adding:

“We want to take this moment to sincerely thank each and every one of you, our passengers, nurses, supporters, staff, and partners and the rest for your loyalty, kindness, and support over the years. Your encouragement has meant more to us than words can express.”

This outpouring of gratitude underscores the operator’s deep community ties, particularly in West Leeds where it provided essential links for daily commuters, hospital visitors, and shoppers.

Which Services Are Now Disrupted?

The fallout directly impacts several key routes, plunging thousands of passengers into uncertainty. The most affected include:

• Service 30: The off-peak Horsforth to Pudsey service, a lifeline for residents travelling between these neighbouring West Leeds towns.
• Service 61: Running from St James Hospital to Hunslet via South Leeds Stadium, critical for healthcare access and sports fans.
• Service 116: Connecting Leeds through Ossett to Wakefield, serving commuters across the Leeds-Wakefield corridor.
• Service 118: Evening operations from Wakefield to White Rose Centre; notably, daytime services continue unaffected under Arriva.
• Service 212: Linking Wakefield, Batley, and Dewsbury, vital for cross-district travel in the Heavy Woollen area.
• Service 1: Limited journeys between Leeds and Wakefield, though alternatives are reportedly available.

These routes collectively span West Leeds, south Leeds, and into Wakefield, highlighting the broad regional footprint of Yorkshire Buses. Commuters in Horsforth and Pudsey, popular suburbs known for their community spirit and green spaces, now face the sharpest immediate inconvenience, with off-peak travellers hit hardest.

How Is West Yorkshire Metro Responding?

West Yorkshire Metro, the West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s public transport brand, swiftly acknowledged the crisis. In an official statement, it said:

“We will be expeditiously contacting other operators to make arrangements to cover these services, however there will likely be a gap in the services until we can make arrangements for suitable cover.”

This proactive stance aims to minimise disruption, but the admission of inevitable gaps signals short-term pain for users. Metro’s response reflects ongoing efforts to stabilise the region’s bus network, which has seen multiple operator withdrawals amid national funding pressures.

As a statutory body, it holds procurement powers to tender routes quickly, potentially involving giants like Arriva or First Bus.

What Does This Mean for Horsforth and Pudsey Commuters?

Residents in Horsforth and Pudsey, bustling West Leeds hubs with thriving high streets and strong rail links, rely heavily on local buses for short hops unavailable by train.

The Service 30 off-peak axing disrupts evening and midday travel, forcing reliance on taxis, cycling, or infrequent alternatives. Local parents shuttling children to schools and clubs, elderly shoppers heading to Pudsey’s markets, and workers linking to Leeds city centre will feel the pinch most acutely.

Pudsey, with its historic town centre and proximity to the A6120 ring road, and Horsforth, famed for its village vibe and airport adjacency, exemplify the vulnerabilities of suburban bus dependency. Without swift cover, this could exacerbate car reliance, worsening congestion and emissions in an area already pushing green initiatives.

Why Are Bus Operators Struggling Across Yorkshire?

Yorkshire Buses’ collapse mirrors a national crisis in the bus industry. Soaring fuel costs, up over 50% since 2021 according to Department for Transport data, have outpaced fare revenues and subsidies.

Labour shortages post-Brexit and COVID, coupled with insurance hikes and vehicle maintenance inflation, compound the woes. In West Yorkshire, the Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) injects £36 million annually, yet smaller independents like Yorkshire Buses struggle against subsidised majors.

Similar closures hit recently: In 2025, The Harrogate Bus Company trimmed routes amid costs, while South Yorkshire’s Stagecoach faced strikes. Analysts predict more failures without enhanced national funding, as outlined in the 2023 Bus Strategy review.

How Might This Affect Broader Regional Connectivity?

The ripple effects extend to Wakefield, Batley, Dewsbury, and beyond. Service 116 and 212 users, often cross-boundary workers, face lengthened journeys or rail switches, straining Northern Rail services already at capacity. St James Hospital patients on Service 61, many with mobility needs, risk appointment misses, while White Rose Centre evening shoppers on Service 118 evenings turn to costlier Ubers.

West Yorkshire’s integrated ticketing vision under Metro falters with such gaps, undermining the £1.75 single fare cap’s promise. Economic hits loom for high streets like Pudsey’s, where bus access drives footfall.

What Are Passengers Saying?

Social media lit up post-announcement, with commuters venting frustration. One Horsforth resident tweeted:

“Devastated – Service 30 was my only off-peak option to Pudsey Tesco. What’s next?”

A Wakefield nurse added: “Service 61 gone? Hospital shifts are chaos enough.” Supporters praised Yorkshire Buses’ reliability:

“Sad to see them go; always friendly drivers.”

Local councillors, including Pudsey’s Andrew Loy, called for urgent Metro action, stating: “This blindsides communities; we need cover yesterday.” No formal passenger groups have commented yet, but unions like Unite may weigh in on staff redundancies.

What Happens Next for Affected Staff and Partners?

Yorkshire Buses’ tribute to “staff and partners” hints at workforce impacts, potentially dozens of drivers and engineers now jobless. Retraining via Metro’s skills programmes could help, as seen in prior closures. Partners, including local businesses reliant on route ads, face contract voids.

Metro’s tender process typically spans weeks, but emergencies accelerate to days. Arriva’s daytime Service 118 continuity offers a model for expansion.

Could Government Intervention Save Routes?

Calls grow for Westminster aid beyond the BSIP. The Levelling Up Department faces pressure post-2024 election, with shadow transport secretary Louise Haigh previously slamming “bus deserts.” In Yorkshire, Mayor Tracy Brabin advocates enhanced Combined Authority powers, potentially franchising all routes like Greater Manchester’s model.

For now, passengers should check Metro’s app for updates and alternatives like Service 33 (Leeds-Pudsey via Horsforth) or rail. Long-term, this underscores buses’ fragility without sustained investment.