TRANSPORT minister Dr John Reid has praised West Yorkshire for setting an 'excellent example' of how to create an integrated transport system. The country is set to join South Yorkshire and Greater Manchester as Centres of Excellence which are highlighted as potential blueprints for other cities wanting to go green.

Reid said: 'West Yorkshire is setting the pace when it comes to giving people a reliable, sustainable transport system which provides them with real choice. People are demanding change, but the alternative to the car must be a system which is safe, efficient, clean and fair. The cornerstones of that system must be better public transport.'

Initiatives include a high-occupancy vehicle lane in Leeds, better information for public transport users and smartcard ticketing trials. Reid said: 'The car has a role to play in any integrated transport system, but we are forced to rely on it too much.'