First Bus is launching a new express service to link Huddersfield and Halifax to both local hospitals.

A series of improvements to bus services in Kirklees and Calderdale will start on Sunday February 18.

The X1 service will operate on a corridor linking Huddersfield and Halifax via Ainley Top and Elland.

A 501 service will replace the existing 503 to serve Huddersfield Royal Infirmary and Calderdale Royal Hospital in Halifax with a 15-minute frequency and additional early and late journeys.

This has been developed in partnership with West Yorkshire Combined Authority and funding support through the Superbus project.

Together, the X1 and 501 will provide up to eight journeys an hour between Halifax and Huddersfield. Buses will operate from the new Halifax Bus Station.

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 timetable 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.”

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Other service improvements include:

548/549 Halifax-Brighouse – Huddersfield

Service 548 increased to operate every 30 minutes between Halifax and Rastrick Monday-Saturday daytime, combining with service 549 to operate a 15-minute service between Rastrick, Brighouse and Halifax.

307/308 Huddersfield – Honley – Holmfirth

New service 307 to operate between Huddersfield and Honley via Newsome Road (replacing daytime ‘short’ 308 trips). All 308 journeys to operate via Cross Lane.

372 Lindley – Huddersfield – Almondbury

Only operates between Huddersfield and Almondbury, with weekday services continuing a 15-minute frequency and 20 minutes on Saturday.

Buses to operate from Huddersfield Bus Station allowing interchange from all other services. The section between Huddersfield and Lindley will be served by service 501.

373 (NC) Huddersfield – Huddersfield New College

Renamed to 373 with service now running from Huddersfield Bus Station. Peak time journeys retimed and certain low use journeys withdrawn.

Full details of the changes can be found at https://www.firstbus.co.uk/halifax-calder-valley-huddersfield/news-and-service-updates/service-updates/service-changes-18

Main image: First Bus operations manager Craig Turner with driver Katharina Vanderstock.

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