Today Metro's Tendered Services Working Group confirmed that Centrebus Holdings Ltd trading as Huddersfield Bus Company has been chosen to run a network of publicly funded bus services which covers an area including Northowram, Sowerby Bridge, Ripponden, Greetland and Stainland.

Consultation

Following First's recent decision withdraw several commercial bus services in the area at the start of the year. Metro developed a revised network of services and held consultations in affected communities to ensure it continued to meet their needs.

Metro invited tenders from bus operators to run the new network and the bid by Centrebus offered modern, accessible vehicles at the best price.

Stable network

"Earlier this year the people of our rural areas were facing severe cuts in their bus service. I am delighted that Metro has been able to save these services and can provide a higher quality, stable network of bus services for the future," said Cllr Keith Watson, Metro's District Spokesperson for Calderdale.

"The bid from Centrebus offers improved quality for passengers and value-for-money for council tax-payers," he added.

MetroCards and concessionary passes

Passengers will continue to be able to use MetroCards and Concessionary Fare passes on the revised services.

Details of the new services, which will start in late January 2010, will be available early next year from the Bus Travel section of this web site and Metro will also be producing timetable booklets, available from Halifax Bus Station Travel Centre.