First West Yorkshire Buses

The merging of Bristol-based Badgerline and Scottish-based GRT Holding saw the creation of FirstBus in West Yorkshire. After the corporate logo was introduced, local liveries arrived. However, by 1998 First were pushing for its ‘Willow Leaf’ livery and corporate interior as the standard. Former West Yorkshire PTE vehicles were withdrawn and replaced by the standard Volvo/Wrightbus vehicles from 2004. The low-floor era brought in 120 Volvo/Alexander double-deckers and 20 Volvo saloons with Wrightbus bodies. Investment in Bradford and Leeds was apparent, eventually trickling down elsewhere. In 2012 First refreshed the livery with a more pastel colour scheme, as ninety-eight new buses arrived in Leeds from the Olympic Games. Newer vehicles were also cascaded into Halifax and Huddersfield.

Scott Poole documents the ups and downs of this operator, with a range of previously unpublished images.