BUS operator First Group has completed a shake-up of its operations covering Huddersfield in a bid to cut costs.

The group has merged its four subsidiaries covering Huddersfield and Halifax, Leeds, Bradford and York into a single bus operating company comprising 1,143 vehicles and 3,231 staff.

First Group said the move – aimed at streamlining the business and improving efficiency – had resulted in the loss of only a “handful” of jobs.

A spokesman said: “This process has now been completed seamlessly and without effect to the day-to-day running of bus services in West Yorkshire.

“Buses are still running from their existing garages and there are senior staff based at each of these locations charged with delivering a safe and consistently high quality service.

“At this stage, no driving staff have been affected by these changes.”

The spokesman said a “handful” of administration jobs had gone as a result of centralising some behind-the-scenes operations.

Aberdeen-based First Group confirmed the move yesterday – when it also unveiled annual results showing a 31% rise in pre-tax profits to £326.4m for the year to March 31.

The improvement came despite a 21% fall in profits at its rail division to £94.2m from £120m last time.

The decline in earnings reflects lower revenues from its franchises, which include the First TransPennine Express service running through Huddersfield, First Great Western, First ScotRail and London commuter service First Capital Connect.

First Group’s UK bus operations, which have 9,000 vehicles and a 23% market share, lifted revenues by 7% on operating profits 9.8% higher at £134m.

The North American business, which operates 60,000 yellow school buses and the Greyhound inter-city coach service, generated revenues of £2.87bn and saw profits increase by 72.5% to £294.6m.

First Group announced in March plans to cut costs by more than £200m across its UK operations by the end of March, 2010 – but provided no details of job losses.

At the time, it said the cuts would make it “more robust” in the current difficult trading climate.

Commenting on its latest results, chief executive Sir Moir Lockhead said the group’s mix of businesses meant it was well-placed to ride out the downturn.

He added: “While it is still early in the new financial year, overall the group has continued to trade well and broadly in line with our expectations.”