Bradford

As with most towns in England, Bradford at the end of the 19th Century was growing rapidly. Public transport in the area being provided by a motley collection of horse drawn buses and carts. Bradford Corporation obtained powers in 1880 to build its own Tramway. Leasing the first sections to the Bradford and Shelf Tramway Company and the Bradford Tramways and Omnibus Company. The lines being operated from 1884 using Horse and Steam tramcars.  Electric trams were tested on a stretch of track on Cheapside between Forster Square and Manor Row, with the first electric line opening in 1898 between Forster Square and Bolton, operated by the corporation. The system expanded rapidly to cover most of the city.

Bradford built its tramway system to 4-foot gauge, making through running with its neighbours, impossible. It was felt that there was a need to run trams between Bradford and Leeds, due to the growing passenger levels. Leeds had suggested laying a third rail along the entire route. Due to the high cost this was not proceeded with. However, the Bradford Manager, C. J. Spencer along with his engineer, J. W. Dawson, designed and patented a truck that allowed two wheels of the tram to be adjusted from the 4 foot Bradford gauge to the Leeds gauge of 4 feet 8 and a half. This basic system is still in use by the Talgo trains in Spain. This service operated between 1909 and 1918.

1911 saw another first in Bradford, when along with Leeds; the first commercial trolleybus route was opened from Laisterdyke to Dudley Hill. As the system expanded, Bradford introduced a one-man operated trolleybus route to Bolton Woods in 1915, this route being exchanges with the West Yorkshire Road Car Company for their Bankfoot to Lister Park service, which later formed the City Circle route. Double deck trolleybuses were first introduced in 1921. The trolleybuses bowed out of Bradford, in fine style on the 26th March 1972.

Motorbuses made their debut in Bradford in 1926, being ADCs with very tramcar style bodies. Never favouring a particular type or make of vehicle. Buses were obtained from AEC, Crossley Daimler and Leyland. Bradford was always very cost conscious. Many of the trolleybuses were rebodied to extend their working lives. 25 London Transport RT type buses, which were acquired in 1958.

From April 1974 Bradford City Transport became part of the West Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive, along with Leeds, Halifax and Huddersfield, now known as Metro, which had responsibility not only for its own operations, but also those of the National Bus Company and British Railways. It also took over the Bradford Interchange, which opened in 1979.

Following deregulation and the privatisation of the National Bus Company, Metro created its own company called Yorkshire Rider. This was privatised in 1986 under an Employee Share Ownership Programme (ESOP), being the first PTE company to so do. This company expended in 1990 with the acquisition of the Bradford, Leeds and York operations of the West Yorkshire Road Car Company. The Bradford and Leeds operations were absorbed into the respective area, but York remained separate as Rider York.

Independence as a separate group was short lived. Yorkshire Rider merged with the fast growing Badgerline in 1993. The Badgers had only been on the buses for a short time when in June 1994, Badgerline joined with Grampian to form Firstbus. Initially, each area continued to operate under their own identities and Liveries. Bradford became known as Bradford Traveller with a Blue based livery. This was eventually followed by the group corporate image.

Bradford has always been a keen to try new ideas, from the tramcars, trolleybuses and buses operated, and recently having tried articulated (Bendibuses) buses to the Guided Busway on Manchester Road.

Picture: Number 835, BUT 9611T / English Electric 1949.

Thanks to David Sutcliffe and Graham Abdy for their assistance in producing this page.