It’s all coming up (Yorkshire) roses for transport.

When asked how the private sector can support her vision, Brabin responded: “Stick your neck on the line, champion these projects, even amongst those who may not agree.”

Metro Mayors are set to transform bus travel in many northern English cities, including the three within West Yorkshire. Brabin has pledged to bring every bus in the region under public control by 2028 — a goal Greater Manchester’s Mayor, Andy Burnham, aims to achieve on the other side of the Pennines by early 2025.

Since the partial launch of Manchester’s Bee Network in September 2023, there has been a 5 percent increase in bus usage, a record-breaking 82 percent fare satisfaction rate, and over 8 percent improvement in reliability.

This data is strong. But the evidence reflects more than just people saving some loose change or the occasional driver giving up their car. They represent a more inclusive society, with women and girls feeling increasingly confident that buses will be there to take them on their journeys safely, better links across the city for those with mobility issues, and a more affordable mode of transport allowing many to access education and employment.

The social and economic value of an inclusive and reliable transport network with buses operating when and where people need them supports social mobility. It also boosts productivity for companies within the region, with workforces able to commute more easily according to business needs.

In her speech, Brabin referenced Bradford’s young and dynamic workforce, which is currently without its main bus station due to safety concerns. Consequently, she said they were being locked out of opportunities elsewhere in the region.

Better connectivity would grant Bradfordians greater access to employment opportunities in Leeds, a city with double the GDP of their own. This would not only benefit Bradford, it would also alleviate housing pressures within Leeds.

Repeated analysis of the UK’s underperforming second-tier cities, compared to their European counterparts, reveals that a lack of local decision-making, weak tax-raising powers, and poor public transport links are largely to blame. Devolution, coupled with public transport interventions, marks the start of recovery for these cities.

Public ownership is of course not a golden ticket. History shows us what a failure overreach of the state can be. However, transport, like health and education, can underpin economic strategies and (literally) deliver a high-skilled, highly functioning, and satisfied workforce.

Public transport issues transcend political boundaries. Successive governments have sought to upskill people and reduce the welfare bill and nurture a vibrant public sector. A widely used and accessible public transport network is key to achieving many of these goals.

As West Yorkshire follows in Greater Manchester’s footsteps, enacting the benefits of the Bus Services Act 2017, we can expect to see an increasingly connected, dynamic, and productive northern England.