The planned new Weaver Network buses only feature a single door for both entry and exit

Plans for a publicly-owned fleet of electric buses in West Yorkshire have been criticised by campaigners for not including more doors on the vehicles for people with mobility issues or pushchairs.

A new franchised bus network is due to be rolled out from 2028, with bus fares, routes and timetables set by West Yorkshire Combined Authority. Last month, a consultation was launched over buses to be used on the Weaver Network, with views sought on features such as ramps and wi-fi.

But Gareth Forest, chair of Better Buses for West Yorkshire, said campaigners planned to carry out a mass bus-boarding at Leeds Bus Station on Wednesday to highlight the problems of getting on and off single-door vehicles.

"The campaign supporters will be boarding buses at the station with wheelchairs, prams, suitcases, heavy pieces of luggage - whatever people are going to bring - to make our point about how inaccessible West Yorkshire's buses are," Mr Forest said. "We'll be boarding as many buses as is needed to fit in all the wheelchair users and parents with children."

He added that the group was calling on West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin to "double the doors" on the new fleet of buses.

Mr Forest said: "In London and in the rest of Europe, buses have two or three sets of doors and this speeds up boarding and makes it safer and easier for everyone. Public control of our buses is our opportunity to change that, but the mayor is squandering that opportunity by ordering a fleet of 500 single-door buses."

Easier boarding would also mean "quicker journeys for everyone" as there would be more space and it would be quicker to get people on and off buses, Mr Forest said.

He also suggested bringing back conductors so drivers did not have to do everything. "Drivers are expected to drive the bus, take the fares, make sure everyone's getting on board and make sure there's safety on the bus. That's just not fair," he said.

A spokesperson for West Yorkshire Combined Authority said taking buses back under public control "takes time, and that includes upgrading the existing infrastructure in West Yorkshire on a repair-and-replace basis as part of our new integrated Weaver Network".

"We understand the benefits that double doors bring, but path widths, existing bus station design and bus stops can make it difficult for customers exiting from a second centre door," the spokesperson said. "We will consider feedback as we work towards a better-connected region that works for all."