Residents in Huddersfield will not be left stranded this festive season thanks to volunteer bus drivers.
The Green Party’s service will roll into action in the area for the 23rd year running on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day, to help people get around. And big-hearted Scholes man, Roger Batley, will also be putting on a Boxing Day service for the 13th year, so that residents of the Holme Valley do not miss out.
The Green bus service, probably the longest running volunteer service in England, will ferry people between Huddersfield town centre, Waterloo, Lepton, Grange Moor and Flockton on Boxing Day.
Meanwhile, on New Year’s Day, the bus will link Berry Brow, Taylor Hill, Newsome, Huddersfield and Huddersfield Royal Infirmary in Lindley.
The party started running the 16-seater mini bus service, which is funded by the party and Kirklees Council, when seasonal bus routes were cut.
Newsome councillor Andrew Cooper will be one of several volunteers to take up their bus driver roles on the two dates.
He said: “We think it’s now probably the longest running free bus service in the country.
“We initially started it because we thought ‘instead of just complaining like people think councillors do, why not do something like this too?’.
“It’s important because there are whole communities which are left without any public transport, including some people who may not be able to afford to travel by any other way.
“And it also encourages people who have had something to drink to not to attempt to drive themselves.
“Of course we would encourage proper bus services to be re-introduced but it’s something I look forward to. It’s a good thing to do for the community and it’s good fun at the same time.”
The Boxing day service will run from 11am to 7pm and hourly services will start at 11am and finish at 8pm.
Mr Batley’s H11 Holme Valley link, provided by Stotts of Milnsbridge, will link Scholes, Holmfirth, Thongsbridge, Brockholes, Honley and Lockwood with Huddersfield Kingsgate Centre and the Infirmary before returning the same way.
The first bus will depart at 9.23am from the Boot and Shoe in Scholes and the last bus leaves Scholes at 5.45pm.
It runs until 6.24pm, when it finishes at Marsh.
For full details contact Mr Batley on 01484 682635.
