A HUDDERSFIELD bus depot is the best in the country – and that’s official.

First’s Old Fieldhouse Lane depot off Leeds Road beat competition from hundreds of bus depots across the UK to win first prize in the UK Bus Awards, regarded as the ‘Oscars’ of the industry.

Judges were impressed with the team spirit of staff at the bus depot, along with the way the buses are kept repainted, clean and run on time and a big fall in complaints from passengers.

They said: “First’s Old Fieldhouse Lane Depot in Huddersfield is an excellent example of how a middle-sized bus depot operating both large town and rural services can improve its operational standards through hard work and team spirit, as well as fulfilling its responsibilities to a geographically large community.

“Punctuality improved from 89.1% to 94.1%, there was a reduction of 20% in public complaints and a Vehicle and Operator Services Agency annual pass rate that has now reached 99.1% all testify strongly to the efforts of the depot management and staff in seeking to deliver the best quality of service to all their customers.

“A number of aspects of the depot’s operation are still ‘work in progress’. But the judges were tremendously impressed at how the emphasis on getting the basics right has had, and is continuing to have, a very creditable impact on improving the depot’s key performance indicators and thus fulfilling its responsibilities to the local community.”

First Huddersfield, which has 260 employees and runs 95 buses, was also praised for its ‘bus refresh’ programme which ensures its vehicles are regularly re-painted, kept clean and well-maintained and run on time.

Ben Gilligan, service delivery director for First in Yorkshire, said: “We are delighted to have won such a prestigious award.

“Our staff should take all the credit for this national recognition as they work extremely hard to ensure our many passengers in the Huddersfield area have a first class bus service each day.

“In particular the event organisers took into account the extreme weather conditions and geographical nature of the Huddersfield area that our buses often face, particularly in the winter.”

Company representatives recently travelled to London First to pick up the award at a special black tie dinner at the Park Lane Hotel.