West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) has issued a preliminary market engagement notice, signalling a step towards the development of a large-scale Mass Transit programme to enhance connectivity across major urban centers in West Yorkshire, including Leeds, Bradford, Wakefield, Huddersfield, and Halifax.

The Mass Transit programme aims to deliver a high-capacity public transport system tailored for West Yorkshire’s densely populated and economically active urban centres. Previously, the Mott MacDonald-Jacobs joint venture was appointed as the design development partner for the GBP 2.5 billion (US$ 3.3 billion) initiative, responsible for progressing the current concept design to a completed stage. Although specific routes and transport modes are still being finalised, options being explored include advanced bus systems, trams, and tram-train hybrids. The rollout will begin in Leeds and Bradford, identified as the region’s primary hubs for population density, commerce, leisure, and retail, with plans to extend the system to additional towns in later phases. Route options for the Leeds line include areas near the White Rose shopping centre and potential stops serving Leeds United’s Elland Road stadium. Key destinations being considered along the proposed routes include Leeds General Infirmary, the South Bank, Holbeck, and Beeston. For the Bradford line, three possible alignments have been explored to link Bradford and Leeds city centres, with coverage extending to communities such as Thornbury, Laisterdyke, Pudsey, Armley, and Wortley.

As it plans the future of the Mass Transit programme, the West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) has arranged a virtual preliminary market engagement session. At this stage, WYCA is concentrating on strategic planning, including defining the overall scope and conducting initial feasibility assessments—key steps that will shape the project's next phases and inform future procurement processes. The range of services that may be required from suppliers is extensive, encompassing construction, rolling stock for rail and tram systems, site preparation, civil engineering, building installation, and various transport-related services.