Huddersfield bus driver Younus Mumtaz is celebrating 50 years in the job … and has no plans to retire even though he’s 77.

Younus, of Birkby, regularly drives the 363 and X63 First Bus services from Huddersfield to Bradford.

And he’s also played an important role ensuring the safety of passengers using Huddersfield Bus Station.

During a year at college in Leeds in 1989, while studying to become a supervisor, Younus examined the safety layout of Huddersfield Bus Station. His recommendations led to the redesign of the bus drop-off island, keeping customers out of harm’s way and this change remains today.

Younus has looked to develop his career through his decades with First Bus. During a four-year spell from 1985-89 he switched to become an instructor.

Two fellow drivers he helped train are still at the Huddersfield depot on Old Fieldhouse Lane.

He has also had a brush with television fame. When the classic BBC sitcom Last of the Summer Wine required a bus for filming, Younus was among the drivers to be seen behind the wheel as the bus passed through the village.

After 20 years as a supervisor Younus returned to driving in 2009 and says it’s the daily connection with customers that he believes is the best part of the job and why he wants to continue.

“One good thing about being in the cab every day is that you get to know customers’ habits,’’ he said. “You make personal friendships and this changes the atmosphere.”

Chris Burton, operations manager at the depot, said: “Younus is admired by everyone here. He’s an inspiration for drivers of all ages and we’re delighted he doesn’t want to leave us just yet.”

Younus began his career on the region’s bus network in 1976, working as a conductor for what was then Metro Kirklees in the days before the industry’s deregulation.

He recalls that driving buses was very different to the vehicles today.

“Sometimes you had to sit up out of your seat to steer the bus on tight corners,” he said. “There were also routes that would take four hours to complete so you could only manage one round trip on a shift and then have a break.”

His commitment to learning has clearly rubbed off on his family (above). His six children include two pharmacists, a solicitor, a law and criminology graduate, a staff member at the University of Huddersfield and a senior case officer with Bradford’s prosecution service.

Written by ANDY HIRST who runs his own Yorkshire freelance journalism agency AH! PR (https://ah-pr.com/) specialising in press releases, blogging, website content, copywriting and ghost-writing autobiographies.