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First 24-Hour Bus Service in West Yorkshire Sees Skyrocketing Growth

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In West Yorkshire, the 72 Service, running non-stop between Leeds and Bradford, has been a game-changer since it kicked off last September. And the stats? Well, they’re pretty incredible.

A double-decker bus parked in a dimly lit area. The bus is dark blue with Leeds to Bradford, 24 hours, and 72 prominently displayed on its side. The front destination sign reads 72 Bradford. Trees are visible in the background.
First Bus

In just three months, passenger numbers have soared by 138%. That’s right, 138%! We’re talking about growth from a humble 2,000 customers in the first month to a whopping 4,800 by December.

Kayleigh Ingham, Commercial Director of First North & West Yorkshire, said:

“We’re delighted with the growth we have seen on this service, which is clearly appealing to the people of Leeds and Bradford."

She added:

“Customer numbers have steadily increased month-by-month and we see this trend continuing in 2025.”

The 72 service isn’t just your average route. It's high-frequency, now running around the clock to keep things ticking over, especially when the city lights are still on. The boost in service comes on the back of First Bus investing in its network, aiming for smoother journeys, faster connections and an all-around pleasant passenger experience.

But it’s not just about commuters hopping on for work. This 24-hour bus service is helping prop up the night-time economy, shift workers and even leisure-seekers.

Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe, Chair of West Yorkshire Combined Authority's transport committee and leader of Bradford Council, said:

“It is really encouraging to hear of the growing success of this 24 hr bus service between Bradford and Leeds.”

She went on:

“The two cities working together provide a huge economy. Good transport connectivity is therefore vital to making the most of that economic opportunity. It’s all part of helping us to build a better-connected West Yorkshire but there’s still lots more to do.”

When do passengers prefer to ride? The sweet spot seems to be between midnight and 2am, especially on Saturday nights. Fun fact: Weekend riders are 67% more likely to hop on than during the week.

From September to December, more than 12,500 brave souls made the journey during the early hours. And here's the kicker: two-thirds of those folks were heading from Leeds to Bradford.

Who knew the night bus could become such a hit? Guess West Yorkshire is ready to roll—24/7.

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