New, improved bus services are on the way for Huddersfield to improve access to local hospitals and Halifax.
This comes as part of a multi-million-pound investment from the West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) aiming to improve the region’s bus services and build better connections. In partnership with First, links will be created between Huddersfield and Halifax town centre, Huddersfield Royal Infirmary (HRI) and Calderdale Royal Hospital (CRH).
Services to HRI had previously been slashed leaving patients and staff left “stranded”. Changes were made to the 370, 371 and 372 services that cover the areas of Lindley, Almondbury, Dalton and Rawthorpe, making it very difficult to access the hospital for those relying on public transport, particularly in the evenings.
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Under the new system, the current 503 service will be axed and replaced with two new routes, one of which being a new X1 service travelling from Huddersfield to Halifax via Elland. This will operate every 15 minutes during the day and every 30 minutes in the evening and on Sundays.
In addition, the 501 (Huddersfield – Lindley HRI – Elland – West Vale – CRH – Halifax) will provide a new, direct link between HRI and CRH and provide the Weatherhill Road area of Huddersfield with a new service. This will replace the existing 372 and also operate every 15 minutes during the day and every 30 minutes in the evening and on Sundays.
The Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin, said: “Better bus services are a vital part of my mission for a better-connected West Yorkshire.
“I’m delighted that these new and improved services will be hitting our streets next month – connecting communities, reducing reliance on cars and getting people where they need to go.”
(Image: WYCA)
Kayleigh Ingham, Commercial Director of First West Yorkshire, said: “We are pleased to introduce these service improvements to support customers in Calderdale and Kirklees and those making trips to hospital appointments.
“There will be a revised 501 service together with a new X1 express, both operating to provide eight buses an hour between Halifax and Huddersfield. Later evening journeys are also being added to a number of other services, together with timetables changes to improve punctuality and reliability.
“We work closely with the Combined Authority to review the network and these latest enhancements have been achieved through our strong partnership.”
Members of WYCA’s Transport Committee will be asked to release a further £3.2 million of funding from the Combined Authority’s Bus Service Improvement Programme (BSIP) next week, to help deliver the new Huddersfield to Halifax services, as well as a new service in development for parts of Wakefield, which is expected to launch later in the year.
A further round of service enhancements is also planned to be delivered across West Yorkshire in July 2024 – subject to the approval of further funding and procurement.
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