West Yorkshire is latest region to return its bus service to public control

Bus services in West Yorkshire will be brought under public control as it becomes the third major region of the north to reverse four decades of deregulation.

- Gwyn Topham, Robyn Vinter

The region's mayor, Tracy Brabin, said the decision was a "historic moment" that "will impact on generations to come". She added: "Buses are vital for our communities, and franchising will help us build that better connected network that works for all." West Yorkshire follows Greater Manchester and Liverpool in deciding to return to a franchised system, where private operators must win contracts to run routes and timetables are determined by the local authority, which also sets fares and takes revenues.

Campaigners and metro mayors have described the deregulation of buses outside London, enforced by the Thatcher government in the 1980s, as leading to a "wild west" of private operators cherry-picking profitable routes, leaving councils to subsidise essential public services.