A new era for public transport in West Yorkshire has begun with the introduction of the Weaver Network — a sleek, unified brand unveiled by regional leaders to bring greater cohesion and clarity to the region’s transport system.
Designed to simplify travel across the region, the Weaver Network will bring together different modes of transport under one clear identity — making journeys more seamless and accessible for all. The creation of the brand followed extensive consultation on West Yorkshire’s cultural identity, including input from local figures such as poet laureate and resident Simon Armitage.
Drawing inspiration from the region’s rich industrial heritage, the name ‘Weaver’ symbolises both historical roots and the interconnected communities of today. The network reflects a bold vision to enhance lives by better connecting people to the places that matter most.
The Weaver Network brand was officially launched at Millennium Square in Leeds by Mayor Tracy Brabin alongside the leaders of West Yorkshire’s five councils. To ensure cost efficiency, the rollout will be phased, beginning with updates to bus stops and stations already scheduled for replacement.
The branding will expand further when buses come under local control in 2027, marking a major milestone in the region’s transport transformation. It will also feature prominently on the upcoming West Yorkshire tram system, with construction set to begin in 2028.
Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin said:
“For too long, our region has suffered from a disjointed, confusing, and increasingly hard to navigate public transport system. The Weaver Network is a fresh, modern identity for transport in West Yorkshire, reflecting our greater powers through devolution, as well as our ongoing work to bring buses back under public control and create a fully-integrated mass transit network.
“This will help us on our journey to creating a transport system that is easier to use, and demonstrates our ambition to create a better-connected region that works for all.”
West Yorkshire Combined Authority Transport Committee chair Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe said:
“Our role within public transport in the region is constantly evolving – the Metro brand was created in 1974, and our organisation’s roles and responsibilities have changed immeasurably since then.
“With the Mayor’s decision to take back control of the bus network, we are now moving towards a fully integrated transport network under one brand, replacing about 19 different brands currently in use. The Weaver Network will reflect a public transport network that the region can be proud of, while helping the public to understand who is responsible for helping them travel to where they need to be.”
Simon Armitage, national Poet Laureate and West Yorkshire resident said:
“I was pleased and proud to be part of a conversation about the naming of the future transport network – I’m West Yorkshire born and bred, a public transport user, a geography graduate and a poet in many ways it was the perfect invitation.
“To me, The Weaver Network name symbolises the threads connecting people with places, shuttling to and fro, built on heritage and creating new ties and links.”
In January 2025, the Combined Authority approved the retirement of the Metro brand and associated identities such as Leeds Park and Ride and CityConnect. In their place, a new unified identity, the Weaver Network — will be adopted to represent an integrated transport system for West Yorkshire.
The Weaver Network will bring together public transport and active travel under one cohesive brand, streamlining fares, travel information, and journey planning for passengers. Its rollout will align with the three phases of the bus franchising programme, beginning gradually through a cost-effective ‘repair and replace’ approach that makes use of existing capital investment plans.
