Leeds to host two DRT trials

West Yorkshire Combined Authority is planning two trials of demand responsive transport in east Leeds, the first to be held in the conurbation.

The three-year trials could start next year. Services will be accessed through a smartphone app, with routing algorithms matching vehicles with demand. 

One operation will encompass the Aire Valley in southeast Leeds, providing links from the East End Park, Cross Green and Richmond Hill residential areas to employment areas in the Aire Valley Enterprise Zone. It will also serve destinations outside the operating zone, such as Leeds bus station, the Asda superstore at Killingbeck and the Morrisons superstore at Hunslet. 

“This area currently has very poor access to supermarkets and the DRT service will seek to address this, as well as providing improved access to health centres, St James Hospital and local employment opportunities,” said a report to the WYCA’s investment committee this week.

The second DRT service will cover the Crossgates area on the eastern edge of the city, including the East Leeds Extension development area. The service is expected to support access from 5,000 new homes to local economic and employment centres, transport hubs, health and education facilities. 

The £2.23m cost of the pilots will be funded by £763,000 from the Leeds public transport investment programme, £700,000 from the integrated transport block, and £768,000 from Section 106 developer contributions.