The Government of UK has approved a funding package of £173.5m for improving public transportation facilities such as ‘busways’, improved park and ride facilities and better stops and signs in Leeds, UK.

The investment will be used by the city authorities for the creation of integrated bus corridors, including segregated lanes and real-time information for passengers travelling within and around the city centre.

With these new improvements, commuters will have improved access to travel information, with a focus on improving the daily experience of bus users.

The funding will also allow Leeds to develop proposals for local rail improvements, subject to wider rail industry consultation.

“This investment will make public transport in Leeds more accessible and reduce journey times.”

UK Transport Minister Andrew Jones said: “New segregated bus corridors and investment in park and ride schemes will be a huge benefit to people who live and work in Leeds, and those who visit the city.

“This investment will make public transport in Leeds more accessible and reduce journey times.

“Better transport facilities don’t just help people get around, they help them get on – connecting them to jobs and helping to deliver economic growth in the north.”

The funding will be provided over a period four years, where West Yorkshire Combined Authority will be receiving £21m in 2017/18, £48.7m in 2018/19, £49.1m in 2019/20, and £54.7m in 2020/21.

Leeds City Council Leader Judith Blake said: “We are delighted that the Department for Transport has given its support for our plans which have the potential to transform public transport in Leeds, with improvements we can deliver in the coming years in keeping with what the people of Leeds told us they want to see.

“That is making it quicker and easier for everyone to be able to move around the city as well as connecting people and businesses to places and jobs, increasing productivity and supporting major economic growth areas.”

The British transport company, the First Group has agreed in principle to commit £71m to providing 284 new low emission buses by 2020 for use in Leeds.