Transdev’s new Team Pennine operation is set to launch newer buses on revised Huddersfield and Holmfirth routes
Following its take-over of Arriva’s Yorkshire Tiger operations and relaunch under the Team Pennine name, Transdev’s new brand is increasing its visibility with new buses and brands in Huddersfield and Holmfirth.
Three routes across Huddersfield – including the Free Town Bus which links the town’s bus and rail stations with shopping and leisure attractions in the town centre – will benefit from the newer and improved buses. The operator is relaunching the free town circular along with two normal routes, the 319 circular serving Newsome and Berry Brow, and the 360 which links Brackenhall and the town centre with Huddersfield Royal Infirmary.
From Sunday 5 September, newer Euro VI buses operating on all three routes will carry a new name, Hudds Quick, along with Team Pennine’s new two-tone pink livery. Team Pennine CEO Alex Hornby said: “After our successful launch of Team Pennine and our first fully relaunched route, the Denby Darts-branded D1 route serving Skelmanthorpe and Denby Dale, we’re now preparing to launch big improvements for customers on three town routes in Huddersfield, under our new name, Hudds Quick. The new Hudds Quick name is all about spreading the word that we’ll be the swift and simple way around town on bright pink buses that people will be proud to be seen on. But we’re much more than a new name and a stand-out colour scheme – we’re transforming every aspect of the journey experience from the moment our customers step on board to a friendly welcome from our team.”
In Holmfirth meanwhile, the operator is promising to deliver a ‘simpler, swifter service seven days a week, with feature-packed, ultra-low emission newer buses.’ The Holmfirth Explorer service will run every hour Monday to Saturday and every two hours on Sundays, replacing a complex series of journeys on three existing routes with what Transdev called an ‘easy-to-follow service’ connecting city, town and country.
The new route will run between Holmfirth – famous as the home of long-running TV favourite ‘Last of the Summer Wine’ – and the cathedral city of Wakefield, home to the world-famous Hepworth gallery, which is celebrating its tenth birthday this year – connecting a string of rural communities including Clayton West, Scissett, Skelmanthorpe, Denby Dale and Shepley.
Alex continued: “Our new Holmfirth Explorer route is all about making bus travel simpler and smarter. It replaces the current complex set-up of three routes with an easy-to-follow timetable which better matches our customers’ needs. Our customer research since we launched Team Pennine last month has shown demand is strongest for simple, hassle-free journeys which connect rural villages with the centres of Holmfirth and Wakefield to reach work, shopping and leisure facilities. Our new Holmfirth Explorer will be ideal for these trips into town, while our newer buses will be powered by advanced engines which meet the toughest Euro VI low emission standards, making it easier for everyone to help protect West Yorkshire’s environment. On board our new services, there’ll be new and more comfortable seating, superfast and free WiFi, at seat USB mobile device charging and audio-visual announcements to ensure no-one misses their stop.”
