A bus company which launches in Huddersfield this weekend is promising new jobs, new buses and new ticket deals.

Transdev has taken over the former Yorkshire Tiger company from Arriva and has rebranded as Team Pennine with distinctive pink livery.

The bus operator, which runs services in North Yorkshire and Lancashire but is new to Kirklees, secured 163 jobs when it took over bus depots in Waterloo and Elland.

As the existing workforce transfers over this weekend the company is already advertising for bus drivers to join Team Pennine’s mission to transform bus services across Kirklees and Calderdale.

Drivers and support staff who will all transfer into the new Team Pennine business from Sunday will join Transdev’s existing family of 1,200 people based at its eight existing operating centres across Yorkshire and Lancashire.

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The new ‘Team Pennine’ brand identity and distinctive pink livery will be progressively introduced on a route-by-route basis as part of a company-wide transformation plan over the next 18 months.

Key routes will also be branded individually to raise their profile and attract new customers, starting on Sunday with an all-new ‘Denby Darts’ route D1 linking Denby Dale, Clayton West and Skelmanthorpe with Huddersfield.

The first branded Denby Darts buses went on show on Friday in St George’s Square.

Terry the Terrier (right!) and Tilly the Terrier from Huddersfield Town lead the cheers for Team Pennine

Transdev CEO Alex Hornby said: “Right from day one we’re all about making a positive impact for our new customers and being a company that reflects the spirit of the locations and people we serve.

“We will invest in the quality of service immediately by replacing one in three of the old Yorkshire Tiger bus fleet by the end of October, as part of our mission to create buses people will be proud to be seen on.

“Denby Darts will be our first new branded bus route, launching on the first day we start running as Team Pennine.

“Its buses will be the first in our new bright pink livery – and on the inside, there’ll be free wi-fi, USB power for mobile devices at each seat, audio visual next stop announcements to make sure no-one misses their stop, and comfortable seats with leather headrests.

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“In the coming weeks we’ll also be revealing upgrades to further routes in the Huddersfield and Holmfirth areas, while a brand-new fleet of Mercedes minibuses will land in the Halifax area too.

“And all this will come at no extra cost to customers, with fares unchanged plus a new range of day, week and longer period tickets available alongside our popular go-anywhere Transdev tickets from our Daytripper and Gold ranges.

“Our experience elsewhere has shown that forming strong and close links with the communities we serve is vital to our success in delivering real, positive and lasting change for bus users, and ensuring the bus is placed front and centre in enabling real improvements to everyday living in Kirklees and Calderdale.

“We’re already engaging with councils and community leaders, with further announcements to follow in the coming weeks.

The future’s bright – and it’s not an orange Yorkshire Tiger

“We can’t wait to welcome our first new customers onto the new Team Pennine this Sunday – the name will be symbolic of our local and people-focused approach, with the long-term view of growing bus use firmly in mind.”

New fare deals offering more choice and value for Team Pennine customers from this Sunday include:

  • A new Pennine day ticket for use on any Team Pennine bus, with new bundles of five and 10-day tickets offering bigger savings
  • A new 12-journey ticket, cutting the cost of a one-way journey to £1.42 per trip
  • Two can ride all day on any Team Pennine bus with a new Pennine Duo ticket, while the new Pennine Group ticket is just £8 for up to five travelling together
  • For regular Team Pennine travellers, new 28-day and subscription tickets will offer best value.

Timetables and fare deals for the new Team Pennine network are available online at: www.teampennine.co.uk and on the free to download ‘Transdev Go’ mobile app. Follow Team Pennine on Twitter ‘@TeamPennine’ and on Facebook – search ‘Team Pennine.’

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