COUNCIL cash is on offer for big-hearted groups who want to run buses at Christmas and New Year.
Volunteers are being urged to step in on the days when normal services will not be operating.
Kirklees Council has grants available to help them.
In recent years the funding has enabled a number of volunteers to operate a network of free festive bus services covering areas including Newsome, Meltham and Holmfirth.
Clr Martyn Bolt, Cabinet member for highways, said: "We have had some excellent services in past years and I would encourage groups to apply for this financial help.
"These voluntary services provide a valuable lifeline to those without transport of their own over the Christmas and New Year period."
The money is available to any groups wishing to run free bus services on Christmas Eve evening, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day.
They must apply before December 8.
The grant is designed to pay for publicising the service with posters and timetables at bus stops, plus minibus hire and fuel costs.
Groups will need to decide on a route, plan a timetable, organise, publicise and run the service using their own volunteers.
Fares cannot be charged because of complexities with licensing and insurance but donations can be accepted.
Contact Victoria Podgorski on 01484 225506 or write to Transportation Unit, Kirklees Highways Service, Flint Street, Fartown, Huddersfield HD1 6LG.
