Timeline

From early tram services to NBC, privatisation and Arriva Yorkshire.

  1. 18 February 1903 – Yorkshire (Woollen District) Electric Tramways opens its first lines, connecting Dewsbury to Thornhill, Ravensthorpe and other local towns. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yorkshire_%28Woollen_District%29_Electric_Tramways?utm_source=openai))
  2. 31 October 1934 – Tram services cease; operations replaced by bus services under the Yorkshire Woollen District Transport Company. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yorkshire_%28Woollen_District%29_Electric_Tramways?utm_source=openai))
  3. 1922 – Formation of West Riding Automobile Company as BET-owned bus operator focused on Wakefield and Castleford, reflecting early shift from tram to bus. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Riding_Automobile_Company?utm_source=openai))
  4. 1967 – Yorkshire Woollen District Transport and West Riding both acquired by state, transferred to the Transport Holding Company; later folded into National Bus Company from 1 January 1969. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arriva_Yorkshire?utm_source=openai))
  5. 1 April 1974 – West Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (PTE) established to coordinate public transport across West Yorkshire. ([yorkshire-woollen.co.uk](https://yorkshire-woollen.co.uk/metro.html?utm_source=openai))
  6. 1978 – Launch of the "Metro" brand under West Yorkshire PTE, with unified livery and integrated service identity. ([yorkshire-woollen.co.uk](https://yorkshire-woollen.co.uk/metro.html?utm_source=openai))
  7. October 1986 – Bus deregulation under the Transport Act 1985 comes into effect; operators such as West Riding & Yorkshire Woollen begin operating in a competitive market. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weaver_Network_%28West_Yorkshire%29?utm_source=openai))
  8. 1987 – Yorkshire Woollen District operations (as Yorkshire Buses) and West Riding Buses sold to Caldaire Holdings in a management buyout during NBC privatisation. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arriva_Yorkshire?utm_source=openai))
  9. 1995 – Both operators acquired by British Bus. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arriva_Yorkshire?utm_source=openai))
  10. August 1996 – British Bus sold to Cowie Group; rebranding under Arriva begins; Yorkshire Woollen changes ownership in process. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arriva_Yorkshire?utm_source=openai))
  11. 1997 – Arriva is established under its current name; operations formerly of Yorkshire Woollen become part of Arriva Yorkshire brand. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arriva_Yorkshire?utm_source=openai))
  12. May 2025 – Announcement that Metro brand will be replaced by the Weaver Network, reflecting move to franchised public transport. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weaver_Network_%28West_Yorkshire%29?utm_source=openai))