A newly-launched bus company is changing the face of bus travel across Huddersfield – and is offering qualified drivers a £1,000 ‘golden hello.’

Team Pennine, which took over the former Yorkshire Tiger company, has launched a recruitment drive for both trainee and fully-qualified drivers.

And the company – part of experienced operator Transdev – is also rolling out new routes, newer cleaner buses and improved passenger facilities, while keeping fares unchanged.

Three routes across town – including the popular Free Town Bus which links Huddersfield’s bus and railway stations with locations in the town centre – will benefit from the newer and better buses.

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Team Pennine is relaunching the free town circular along with two regular routes, the 319 circular serving Newsome and Berry Brow, and the 360 which links Brackenhall and the town centre with Huddersfield Royal Infirmary.

From Sunday September 5, buses on all three routes will carry a new name, Hudds Quick, along with Team Pennine’s signature two-tone pink livery – and will feature newer, greener buses powered by advanced engines which meet the toughest Euro VI low emission standards.

Team Pennine in St George’s Square

Team Pennine CEO Alex Hornby said: “After our successful launch of Team Pennine and our first fully relaunched route, the Denby Darts-branded D1 route serving Skelmanthorpe and Denby Dale, we’re now preparing to launch big improvements for customers on three town routes in Huddersfield, under our new name, Hudds Quick.

“The new Hudds Quick name is all about spreading the word that we’ll be the swift and simple way around town on bright pink buses that people will be proud to be seen on.

“But we’re much more than a new name and a stand-out colour scheme – we’re transforming every aspect of the journey experience from the moment our customers step on board to a friendly welcome from our team.

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“Every Hudds Quick bus will have a smart new interior, featuring new and more comfortable seating, superfast and free Wi-Fi, at seat USB mobile device charging and our own audio-visual announcements system to make sure no-one misses their stop.

“All these improvements will come at no extra cost to customers with fares unchanged and our Team Pennine range of day, week and longer period tickets available, alongside our popular go-anywhere Transdev tickets from our Daytripper and Gold ranges. We’re looking forward to welcoming everyone to the new Hudds Quick.”

The relaunch of the three routes is part of Team Pennine owner Transdev’s mission to replace one in three of the older buses it inherited with the buyout of the former Yorkshire Tiger bus firm by the end of October.

Also from Sunday, Team Pennine will launch a new service, Holmfirth Explorer, which will run every hour Monday to Saturday and every two hours on Sundays, replacing a complex series of journeys on three existing routes with an easy-to-follow service connecting Holmfirth and Wakefield.

On the new route, Mr Hornby said: “Our new Holmfirth Explorer is all about making bus travel simpler and smarter.

“Our customer research since we launched Team Pennine last month has shown demand is strongest for simple, hassle-free journeys which connect rural villages with the centres of Holmfirth and Wakefield to reach work, shopping and leisure facilities.

“Our new Holmfirth Explorer will be ideal for these trips into town.”

The Transdev takeover has already secured 163 existing jobs at two depots at Waterloo in Huddersfield and at Elland – and Team Pennine is currently advertising new jobs in a variety of roles, including drivers, engineering, cleaning and customer service.

The bus firm is also offering a £1,000 welcome bonus to qualified bus drivers who join its growing team. Find out more HERE.

Full details of all opportunities at Team Pennine, along with new timetables for the new Hudds Quick routes, are online now at: https://www.transdevbus.co.uk/teampennine.