Simon Warburton | Executive Director Transport
West Yorkshire Combined Authority

Simon joined the West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) in June to become the
new Executive Director for Transport, having been involved in the Greater
Manchester transport policy system since 1999.
Through the early 2000s, his work focussed on the investment case for Metrolink
expansion and wider investment in contemporary public transport facilities,
culminating in the 2009 deal with Government, which created the Greater
Manchester Transport Fund. During the 2010s, this ground-breaking funding
mechanism supported around £2 billion investment, trebling the size of the Metrolink
system as part of a multi-modal programme. In more recent years, he oversaw the
case for bus franchising and the development of the further £1.5 billion investment
programme now in delivery, which will form the basis for the Greater Manchester Bee
Network.
Simon is now leading the development of a transformational programme of transport
delivery and development in West Yorkshire, building on the ambitious vision for
integrated transport that the Mayor and Combined Authority have set out.
In recent years, West Yorkshire has established itself as a major urban transport
force and as an exemplar city region for multi-modal transport delivery. In the
coming year, in particular, WYCA will prepare its final Bus Reform Assessment for
consultation and Mayoral consideration; bring forward its proposals for the first mass
transit lines for consultation; continue to deliver its current £1 billion-plus multi-modal
investment programme; progress the case for HS2 and Northern Powerhouse
connectivity; and, most importantly, continue to support the travel needs of our 2.3
million residents on a daily basis.