Timetables for Boxing Day bus services in Huddersfield & Kirklees and Leeds are now available.

Funded by Metro, the Boxing Day services will run between around 9am and 6pm on over 25 busy routes in the Huddersfield & Kirklees, and Leeds areas. The White Rose and Birstall Shopping Parks will be covered by the special services.

There will be a flat fare of £2 (£1 half-fare) for travel all day and every adult will be able to take one child free. MetroCards and concessionary travel for older, young, disabled and blind people will apply.

With a wave of her magic wand, Cinderella’s Fairy Godmother gave her enchanted blessing to the trial bus services.

She said, "Thanks to a sprinkling of magic dust - and some funding from Metro the West Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive – people will be able to go shopping in Leeds and Huddersfield, visit friends and most importantly go to the Panto by bus this Boxing Day."

“We recognise that more and more shops restaurants, cinemas and other venues now open on Boxing Day and people want to make hospital visits and call on friends so have decided to carry out trials to see if there is a demand for bus services,” explained Metro Chairman Councillor Ryk Downes.

“Metro is funding these services on a trial basis but the more passengers who use them, the less they cost to run them and the greater the chance of providing them in future years,” he continued.

“Similar trials in the West Midlands have proved successful and the vast majority of Boxing Day services in Birmingham are now run on a commercial basis, with no public funding.

“Metro hopes to see the same pattern established in West Yorkshire.”

Metro will be distributing special Boxing Day timetable leaflets in Leeds and Huddersfield next week.