Pre-launch · Coming soon

Driverless, electric journeys between York, Leeds and Manchester.

Yorkshire Autonomous Transit is preparing a fleet of purpose-built autonomous electric vehicles, ready for the day fully self-driving services are approved on UK roads.

How it will work
  • Fully electric fleet
  • No driver needed
  • Built for the North

Concept illustration

About us

A Yorkshire company getting ready for the next era of travel

Yorkshire Autonomous Transit Ltd, trading as YA Transit, has been set up in advance of fully self-driving vehicles arriving in the UK. Our plan is simple: own and operate a fleet of autonomous electric cars that link York, Leeds and Manchester.

We’re a pre-launch business. We won’t carry passengers until the law allows it, the right vehicles are available, and every approval we need is in place. In the meantime, we’re building the foundations so we’re ready to move when the time comes.

Our mission

To make travel across Yorkshire and the North West cleaner, simpler and available whenever people need it – with safety at the heart of everything we do.

Illustration of a sleek, compact autonomous electric vehicle
Illustration only. We plan to use purpose-built autonomous electric vehicles once they are available and approved in the UK.

How it will work

Book. Ride. Arrive.

A calm, private journey in an electric vehicle that drives itself. Here’s how we expect the service to work at launch.

  1. Step 1

    Book

    Choose your pick-up point and destination in a simple app. You’ll see your journey and fare before you confirm.

  2. Step 2

    Ride

    An electric, driverless vehicle collects you. Sit back, work, or simply enjoy the view – the vehicle does the driving.

  3. Step 3

    Arrive

    Step out at your destination. Payment is handled in the app, and the vehicle heads off to its next passenger or to recharge.

Routes

Connecting three great northern cities

Our planned network links York, Leeds and Manchester – joining historic streets, busy business districts and everything in between.

  • York

    North Yorkshire’s historic city, for visitors, residents and commuters alike.

  • Leeds

    West Yorkshire’s commercial hub and the heart of our planned network.

  • Manchester

    Linking Yorkshire with the North West’s largest city region.

Exact service areas, pick-up points and route details will depend on regulatory approvals and will be confirmed before launch.

Stylised route diagram A simplified diagram, not a map, showing a planned route linking Manchester in the south west to Leeds and then York in the north east, crossing the Pennines. THE PENNINES Manchester Greater Manchester Leeds West Yorkshire York North Yorkshire N
Stylised diagram – not to scale and not a map.

Why autonomous

What we’re aiming for

Self-driving electric vehicles have the potential to change how we travel. These are the goals that guide our plans.

Safety first

We aim to put safety above everything. We will only operate vehicles that have been authorised for use on UK roads, and our service will run within the permits and conditions set by the authorities.

Cleaner journeys

Our fleet is planned to be fully electric, with zero tailpipe emissions. We aim to help reduce congestion and pollution on busy routes across the North.

Around the clock

Without driver shifts to schedule, we aim to offer a service that is available 24/7 – for early starts, late finishes and everything in between.

Fair, simple fares

Our goal is to make private, door-to-door travel more affordable, with clear fares shown up front before you book.

Road to launch

Where we are on the journey

We’ll launch when the law, the vehicles and our service are all ready – not before. Here’s the road ahead.

  1. Complete

    Company founded

    Yorkshire Autonomous Transit Ltd is registered in England & Wales, and our YA Transit web domains are secured.

  2. In progress

    Regulation & vehicles

    The UK has passed the Automated Vehicles Act 2024, which sets out the legal framework for self-driving vehicles. We’re following its implementation closely and waiting for suitable vehicles to become available in the UK.

  3. Coming soon

    Pilot service

    Once the necessary approvals are granted, we plan a carefully managed pilot to test our routes, safety processes and passenger experience.

  4. Coming soon

    Public launch

    Driverless, electric journeys open to the public between York, Leeds and Manchester.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

When will YA Transit launch?

We don’t have a launch date yet. We’ll start services once the UK’s self-driving regulations are fully in force, suitable vehicles are available, and we have been granted the approvals we need.

Is it safe to travel without a driver?

Safety is our top priority. Under the Automated Vehicles Act 2024, self-driving vehicles must be authorised before they can drive themselves on roads in Great Britain, and passenger services need the appropriate permits. We will only carry passengers in vehicles and on services that have the required approvals.

Which areas will you serve?

Our plan is to connect York, Leeds and Manchester. Exact service areas and pick-up points will depend on approvals and will be confirmed before launch. If you’d like us to serve your town, email us at hello@yatransit.co.uk – it helps us plan.

What vehicles will you use?

We plan to use purpose-built autonomous electric vehicles – for example, compact two-seat robotaxis of the kind being developed by manufacturers such as Tesla (Cybercab) – once they are available and approved for use in the UK. We haven’t chosen a vehicle supplier yet, and we are not affiliated with any manufacturer.

How can I get updates?

For updates or any other enquiries, please email us at hello@yatransit.co.uk.