A radical 20-year plan to transform Bradford's transport system is being drawn up by district leaders.

Metro, West Yorkshire's Passenger Transport Executive, is drawing up the document with the backing of business leaders, the region's councils, Yorkshire Forward and MPs.

The move is part of a county-wide plan which aims to combat chronic transport underfunding by the Government.

Metro's Director General Kieran Preston claims West Yorkshire suffers from a £200 million transport underspend every year, based on the average spend per person in each county.

Under the long-term plan, which will be launched in the House of Commons in time to influence the Government's Comprehensive Spending Review in 2007, Metro is expected to request funding for:

lMore carriages on trains and longer station platforms, with some new rail stations;

lMore comfortable, frequent and reliable buses on busy routes into Bradford;

lAn increase in bus priority lanes on ring roads;

lMore park and ride schemes on the edge of towns and cities;

lInvestment in light rail projects, despite Leeds Supertram being turned down;

lPriority lanes for cars with more than two people in them.

Mr Preston said: "The second Local Transport Plan (LTP2) as a planning process for the next five years only goes so far and in my view not nearly far enough.

"We have been told that it's not a bidding document for major new schemes such as more rail stations, light rail, or an outer ring road for Leeds. That is why we are drawing up bids for this county's real transport needs alongside LTP2."

Mr Preston says investment in Bradford's existing railway system is crucial to give people an attractive alternative to the car.

"If you look at where there has been investment in the railway system, like on the Airedale and Wharfedale lines, rail travel has doubled. We need to give people this kind of attractive alternative everywhere in West Yorkshire."

Mr Preston said the road network also needs to be improved, adding that he would back plans for an extra lane on the congested M62.

Councillor Anne Hawkesworth, Bradford Council's executive member for Environment, said: "I support this plan because it's essential to think in the longer term when we think of rail links, franchises and how to get things moving forward."

Coun Hawkesworth said more investment in the railways was important. She added that the Leeds Bradford Airport rail link and better transport links through the Airedale corridor should form part of the long-term vision.

Shipley MP Philip Davies said roads were already overcrowded, particularly in Saltaire, and he added that trains were jam-packed during peak periods.

"Just to manage what's currently happening, we need more funding but the Government spending focus is on London," said Mr Davies.

Bradford North MP Terry Rooney said: "The situation is dire, especially on the buses. Once you get past 6pm, you are lucky if there's a bus an hour. People need to be encouraged to use buses by a more regular service and better pricing."

He said trains on some routes had improved but added that 'run-down old diesel trains' operating out of Bradford Interchange needed replacing.

Mike Cartwright, policy and representation executive for Bradford Chamber of Commerce, said: "The Chamber welcomes the idea of a long-term plan to improve local transport but a balance must be struck between having an eye on the future and improving things now."