Key route gets bus boost as investment delivers more services, more often

02 September 2024

A key Huddersfield bus route is seeing more services, more often thanks to investment from the West Yorkshire Combined Authority.

The Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin, and her team have worked to boost bus service 324 from Huddersfield to Meltham.

Working in partnership with operator First, the frequency of the service will increase from one bus every 20 minutes to one bus every 15 minutes during the day. There will also be additional early morning, late evening and Sunday services put in place.

Improving bus services has long been a top priority for the Mayor, who wants to see a reliable and affordable public transport system as the first choice for travel for people across West Yorkshire.

Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said: “More buses, more often will make it easier for people to access jobs, training and leisure activities - and help us tackle social isolation by connecting families and communities.

“Bus improvements like this are just one part of our mission to build a better-connected West Yorkshire.”

The change is just the latest in a series of improvements the Mayor has made to bus services across West Yorkshire. New and improved services in Bradford, Wakefield, Calderdale, Leeds and Kirklees have all been launched over the past year.

The changes have been funded through the West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s Bus Service Improvement Programme (BSIP).

The BSIP has seen the introduction of the £2 Mayor’s Fares, increased frequencies on key routes, investment in bus stations and shelters, and new bus services launching across West Yorkshire.

Cllr Eric Firth, Deputy Chair of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority Transport Committee, said: “Buses play a vital role in daily life across Kirklees and West Yorkshire.

“This investment will encourage more people to use public transport – getting people where they need to go, and getting people to leave their cars at home.”

The latest improvements follow the high-profile announcement in March that the Mayor has chosen to bring West Yorkshire’s buses back under local control through a process known as franchising.

In the meantime, the Combined Authority is committed to delivering better bus services through its BSIP.

Kayleigh Ingham, Commercial Director of First Bus in West Yorkshire, said: “We have worked closely with the Combined Authority on the network in this area and are delighted to have agreed support to enable further improvements to frequency and reliability.

“This will help support better connectivity between Huddersfield and Meltham to support the local community.”