Less than six months after its launch, Huddersfield’s MetroConnect FreeTownBus has now carried over 100,000 passengers.
Passenger numbers for the hugely popular Huddersfield’s MetroConnect FreeTownBus have been growing every week since its launch on 30 October, and last week the total passed the 100,000 mark.
Developed by Metro in partnership with Kirklees Council, the two brand-new, low-floor, 29-seat single-deck FreeTownBuses run every ten minutes from 7.30am to 7.00pm Monday to Friday and from 8.30am to 5.30pm on Saturdays. It follows a 1.5 mile route linking key locations around the town centre. Among the 13 stops are the bus and rail stations, Huddersfield University, the Kingsgate Centre and the indoor and outdoor markets.
“We knew there was a strong need for a Huddersfield FreeTownBus,” said Metro Chairman, Cllr Stanley King, "and having carried over 100,000 passengers in such a short space of time proves just how important and popular the service is.”
“The FreeTownBus provides an ideal, free link to key parts of the town centre for local people and visitors arriving in Huddersfield by train, bus or coach, reducing the need for them to bring their cars into the town centre," continued Cllr King.
“The service is particularly helpful for people who have mobility problems, and parents with small children, who can now travel into Huddersfield by train or bus knowing they can then easily use FreeTownBus to get around.”
“We developed Huddersfield’s FreeTownBus following the instant success of the Leeds FreeCityBus and this week Metro in partnership with Wakefield Council launched the Wakefield FreeCityBus which we hope will also be very bit as popular.”
Cllr Martyn Bolt, Kirklees Cabinet Member for Transportation and Environment said, “The sustained success of the FreeTownBus proves what a thriving town Huddersfield has become.
"We will continue to work in partnership with Metro on public transport projects like this that will benefit the people of Kirklees.“
Details of the service, including a downloadable map of the route.
