FIFTY new buses are heading to Huddersfield.

Travel company First has forked out £13m for 96 shining vehicles for Kirklees and Calderdale.

It's believed to be the area's single-biggest spend on a new fleet.

And the aim is to lure more commuters on to the buses.

The sparkling new models will start appearing on the roads in October.

While 53 of the single and double- deck vehicles have been earmarked for Huddersfield, 43 will go on service around Halifax.

Each single decker costs about £120,000 with a double decker priced at £150,000.

They boast a host of passenger- friendly features, including easy access for the elderly and mums with pushchairs.

The interiors have been completely re-designed to be more roomy.

Andy Storey, managing director of First's bus operations in Huddersfield and Halifax, said: "This is great news for customers."

First hope to lure motorists out of their cars with the massive financial commitment to the local services.

"These new buses will make public transport in the area more attractive and will play an important role in encouraging more people to think about using the bus," added Mr Storey.

Traveller safety is also paramount with each bus fitted with a battery of CCTV cameras both inside and out.

Older existing vehicles, some of which are about 20 years old, will be sold or scrapped.

First's commercial director Nigel Winter said the firm wanted current customers to use the services more while also getting hardened car- users on to gleaming, safe value-for- money buses.

"The idea is to try to generate more revenue and generate more growth so we won't have to increase fares each year."