Better Transport Week 2025 kicks off in West Yorkshire
Campaign for Better Transport and partners are joining forces to launch this year’s Better Transport Week in West Yorkshire today.
Better Transport Week is an annual celebration of how better transport can help connect communities and bring people together and is being launched in West Yorkshire to celebrate transport developments in Leeds and Huddersfield and on the Transpennine Route.
Ben Plowden, from Campaign for Better Transport, said: “I’m delighted to be here in West Yorkshire today to launch Better Transport Week 2025. Good public transport networks, shared travel, walking, wheeling and cycling help connect us to the people we love, the things we need and the places that matter. That’s why it’s fantastic to be here to celebrate the transformational changes happening in Leeds and Huddersfield, on the Transpennine Route Upgrade, and the great work of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority which is prioritising sustainable transport projects through its Connecting Leeds work, walking and cycling in Huddersfield, and its commitment to West Yorkshire Mass Transit.”
To launch Better Transport Week in England, Campaign for Better Transport will be joined by Network Rail at Leeds City Railway Station to celebrate the station redevelopment, the Connecting Leeds project and local transport improvements across the city, including government investment in West Yorkshire Mass Transit.
Joe Noake, Network Rail senior sponsor, said: “It’s great to be able to showcase the improvements taking place here at Leeds station. These ambitious plans for redevelopment will transform how the station feels and operates, with new connections to the south and east of the city, and relieving passenger congestion on the main platforms with the construction of a new central overbridge.
“The investment shows the continued importance of Leeds, building on the work Leeds Council are delivering on the Sustainable Travel Gateway on Bishopgate, and supports on the ongoing investment across the north of the country through both Transpennine Route Upgrade and longer-term transformational growth programmes.”
The Better Transport team will then take the TransPennine Express to Huddersfield to see the Transpennine Route Upgrade in action. At Huddersfield Station they will be joined by representatives from the Penistone Line Partnership – one of the Department for Transport’s original pilot Community Rail Strategy projects – Community Rail Network, Cycle Kirklees, EPIKS, CAMRA and a community choir – the We Can Survive Singers – to celebrate community rail, integrated transport and the links between pubs and public transport as places of social connection and community hubs. The event concludes with a lunch reception at the Head of Steam pub at Huddersfield station.
Adam Fairclough, Deputy Customer Experience Director at TransPennine Express, said: “We’re proud to be supporting Better Transport Week this year. It’s a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the benefits of rail travel and how it can bring communities together as well as highlight the work being done to make improvements across the network. We’re committed to making a real difference for passengers and communities across the region.”
Alison Davies, Delivery Director for Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) West Alliance, said: “Better Transport Week is the perfect platform for TRU to showcase how the programme will deliver improved rail travel across the North, for millions of people. TRU will better connect towns and cities like Manchester, Huddersfield, Leeds and York, with faster, greener, and more frequent services. The improved connectivity between the communities across this 70-mile stretch of railway will enable growth, unlock opportunities and provide a great boost to the Northern economy.”
Better Transport Week brings together the transport industry, national and local government, business, NGOs and passenger groups to celebrate how transport can keep us connected. Better Transport Week 2025 is being funded by the UK Government.
Local Transport Minister, Simon Lightwood said: “Better Transport Week is a brilliant chance to shine a light on the local transport champions who keep passengers moving, and to swap ideas and build the relationships that make our transport networks stronger.”
Bauer Media Outdoor are sponsoring Better Transport Week 2025. Neil Chapman, Product Design Director – UK & Europe, Bauer Media Outdoor, said: “This year’s theme of connecting communities aligns perfectly with our commitment to provide infrastructure that meets the needs of everyday bus users and encourages more bus use. We’re proud to partner with Campaign for Better Transport on this event and support the drive for better transport to bring people closer together.”
Better Transport Week is organised by Campaign for Better Transport and runs from 16 to 22 June. Get involved with Better Transport Week on social media using #bettertransportweek or visit bettertransportweek.org.uk for more information.
ENDS
Media are invited to a photo call Monday 16 June 2025 at 10:30 at Leeds City Station Hub, Leeds City Station, New Station Street, Leeds LS1 4DY with representatives from Campaign for Better Transport, Network Rail and TransPennine Express.
Media are invited to a photo call Monday 16 June 2025 at 12:45 at Huddersfield Railway Station with Campaign for Better Transport, Community Rail Network, Penistone Line, Cycle Kirklees, EPIKS, CAMRA and a community choir.
For further information please contact the press office on 07984 773 468 (calls only no texts) or communications@bettertransport.org.uk.
Notes to Editors
- Better Transport Week 2025 runs from Monday 16 to Sunday 22 June and aims to promote public transport, shared mobility and active travel. For more information visit: https://www.bettertransportweek.org.uk
- Campaign for Better Transport operates in England and Wales. Campaign for Better Transport’s vision is for all communities to have access to high quality, sustainable transport that meets their needs, improves quality of life and protects the environment. Campaign for Better Transport Charitable Trust is a registered charity (1101929).
