Fleet of new buses to link Leeds, Bradford, Harrogate and Otley with Leeds Bradford Airport’s expanded £100m terminal building
Yorkshire bus firm Transdev has rolled out the first of its new £3.5 million fleet of hybrid buses onto its popular FLYER branded network serving Leeds Bradford Airport.
The first of 15 new high-tech, ultra-low emission buses entered service Thursday 3 July 2025, on three dedicated routes linking Leeds, Bradford, Harrogate and Otley with the Airport – delivering more capacity, easier accessibility and lower emissions with journeys running up to every 30 minutes and departures from early morning until late at night.
Transdev’s new Mercedes Benz Citaro buses offer more space at busy times, with 39 seats plus room for up to 31 standing – bringing the total number of people able to travel on each new bus up to 70, compared with 54 on its current diesel-powered buses, an increase of 29%.
In addition to this increase in passenger capacity, engineers at Mercedes Benz predict that the integration of this cleaner hybrid power solution will deliver an 8.5 percent reduction in fuel consumption, further reducing our total CO2 emissions.
Key customer benefits of Transdev’s new FLYER hybrid buses include:
- Increased capacity – the new vehicles have 39 seats, compared with 38 on the current buses, and can carry a lot more standing customers with space for up to 31 standees on each new bus
- More accessible and comfortable – hearing loops and full colour audio-visual display screens, with a dedicated screen facing the on-board wheelchair space
- Saving fuel – Mercedes Benz engineers are predicting a drop of 8.5 percent in fuel usage as a result of the switch to hybrid power, with a 14 kw electric motor generating energy when coasting and braking, which is then used to assist the engine when pulling away. Each new bus is fitted with the most efficient Euro VI engine to ensure high performance as well as low emissions
- Safety first – Each of the new Citaro Hybrid buses is packed with safety systems, including electronic assistance at the front and when turning, plus traffic sign monitoring and electronic tyre pressure reporting. Acceleration Skid Control significantly cuts stopping distances in an emergency, by applying braking more quickly and precisely
- Lower maintenance cost, higher reliability – the virtually maintenance-free hybrid storage module is located at the back of the roof on each single deck bus. Using innovative 48-volt technology, no change or service in maintenance is required.
Transdev’s hybrid buses for its FLYER network will continue to roll out in the coming weeks until all 15 new vehicles are in service.
The bus firm’s investment comes just days after the newly extended terminal building at Leeds Bradford Airport opened to customers for the first time.
The expansion has added around 40 percent more space in customer areas, with three new boarding gates plus a new immigration area, baggage collection hall, food and drink outlets and 83 percent more seating.
Work has already begun on a full refurbishment of the existing terminal building and a new security hall. Leeds Bradford Airport says the project has the potential to create 1,500 new jobs at the Airport, and 4,000 more indirectly, by 2030.
Transdev’s FLYER network operates under a three-way partnership between the bus operator, Leeds Bradford Airport and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority.