Passengers from Holmfirth and the Holme Valley in West Yorkshire can take advantage of a new direct bus link to Huddersfield railway station and can buy their inclusive bus and rail tickets from the bus driver.

The new public transport initiative that makes it significantly easier for people to travel from the Holme Valley to Leeds, Manchester and Dewsbury has been launched by transport operator First in partnership with Metro and
Kirklees Council. The partnership has worked successfully to re route bus services, enable passengers to make a simple interchange between bus and rail at Huddersfield station and to purchase day-return and weekly season tickets
for travel on TransPennine Express rail services.

Benefits to passengers of the 'Holmfirth Connection' are:
* All bus services operated by First from Holmfirth and the Holme Valley in to Huddersfield (services 309 to 316) will be extended from Huddersfield bus station to serve Huddersfield railway station (St George’s Square).
* On journeys into Huddersfield buses will run direct to the railway station instead of to the bus station to make it quicker and easier for people wishing to connect with the train. On journeys from Huddersfield to the Holme Valley buses will start the journey at the railway station and then call at the bus station.
* Combined bus and train tickets available from the bus driver for people wanting to connect at Huddersfield railway station with TransPennine Express train services to Manchester, Leeds and Dewsbury.
* Day return and 7-day weekly tickets will be available.
* The existing 10 minute daytime frequency will be extended to run through to 19.00 to ensure frequent connections for train users returning to Huddersfield.
* On evenings and Sundays the timetable will be improved with buses running every 20 minutes.
* A new late night bus will run from Huddersfield railway station at midnight to connect with trains from Leeds and Manchester.
* The ‘Holmfirth Connection’ will be operated by a fleet of refurbished double deck buses, each fitted with CCTV and carrying a special livery.

The 'Holmfirth Connection' initiative has been made possible thanks to a successful joint bid by Metro and First for £387,000 funding over 3 years under the Government-sponsored KickStart scheme, and through close working
with Kirklees Council.

Information packs, including bus and train timetables, are being distributed to 10,000 households along the Holme Valley. Information is also available from the Travel Centres at Huddersfield bus and railway stations, and from Holmfirth Tourist Information Centre.