Local transport fabric specialist Camira will produce seat moquette for the bus fleet used on the franchised Weaver Network in West Yorkshire, a move that the West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) says will put the region’s centuries of textile heritage “at the heart of the new-look transport network.”
Camira is based in Huddersfield, which is within one of the first zones to be franchised from spring 2027. It will use wool sourced from British Wool in Bradford to create the new green-based moquette, which will match the external colour of Weaver Network buses.
The supplier has been in West Yorkshire for more than 200 years, and has exported seat coverings globally. Mayor of the region Tracy Brabin says that the pattern for the Weaver Network “is inspired by the people, places and culture that shape our region” and notes how Weaver Network buses will “carry the fabric of West Yorkshire wherever they go.”
Camira Business Manager for Transport Fabrics Honour Clough notes how the firm is favoured by operators and authorities “because we meet high standards in flammability and durability.” She adds: “We have our own research team, and we try to stay at the forefront of design and innovation.”
Continuous Improvement Manager Victor Smyth says: “It is always nice to be involved in fabric that is going to be used in our local area. It is a heritage thing for me – my parents worked in textiles, so it is in my blood.
“Yarn resilience is important for the seats, as is getting the colours right and making a seat people want to sit on. Textiles are touchy-feely, so if a seat cover feels nice to look at and touch, people will want to sit on it.”
Other work underway ahead of the franchising rollout includes depot preparation and vehicle procurement.
Of the first tranche of contracts, Huddersfield depot – operated by First Bus under the current deregulated regime – will see accelerated infrastructure installation to support 115 battery-electric vehicles. The first publicly-shown new bus to carry the Weaver Network identity – a Wrightbus StreetDeck – has recently been displayed by WYCA.
