Jacobs has been appointed as the lead consultant for the West Yorkshire Mass Transit programme, which is being developed by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA), in the UK.

On behalf of the McBains consortium, Jacobs will serve as lead consultant for the Design and Placemaking Development Partner commission for the proposed mass transit system.

The McBains Consortium partners also include Pell Frischmann, Egis, Re-form Landscape Architecture, Fore Consulting and Gattica Associates.

Appointed through the Crown Commercial Services Project Management & Full Design Team Services Framework RM3741, the consortium will support the authority designing the Mass Transit vision.

The programme would connect West Yorkshire's most important places and support a green and inclusive recovery while helping in combating climate change.

Jacobs People & Places Solutions Europe and Digital Strategies senior vice-president Donald Morrison said: "Our approach is focused around integrated, zero-carbon and place-based solutions that will not only benefit West Yorkshire, but also ensure that Mass Transit acts as a key enabler to unlock the regeneration and inclusive growth potential across the region as part of the Combined Authority's overall Connectivity Plan.

"It provides a unique opportunity to draw on U.K., continental European and international best practice to deliver an advanced, innovative system that West Yorkshire and its residents can be proud of."

As a development partner on this programme, Jacobs will ensure the development of feasible options on all corridors to provide a full scale of benefits.

The firm will be responsible for developing design philosophy, place-making strategy and technical options feasibility work for all corridors on the network.

It will also focus on deliverability and designs around key network hotspots.

WYCA Mass Transit head Tom Gifford said: "This is an important commission for the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, especially as we continue to seek feedback around the West Yorkshire Mass Transit 2040 vision through the ongoing engagement on the West Yorkshire Connectivity Plan.”

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jacobs will develop place-making strategy and technical options feasibility work. Credit: West Yorkshire Combined Authority 2021.