Huddersfield Green Party councillors have run their free, New Year’s Day bus service once again.
This marks the 33rd year it has been in operation, providing a vital link between Berry Brow/Newsome and Huddersfield town centre, continuing on to the Royal Infirmary, while other services were out of action. The bus was on hand to help people get to the shops and to visit relatives and ran hourly from 11.00am till 7.00pm.
All three Newsome ward councillors are volunteer drivers and stewards on the minibus. Councillor Sue Lee-Richards’ husband Gideon is also a volunteer driver.
Councillor Andrew Cooper said: “We didn’t think when we started the minibus service, we would still be running it 33 years later. It began as a practical way of protesting about the withdrawal of bus services over the festive period. Since we started, Boxing Day bus services have come back which is a real positive but New Year’s Day remains one with no bus services so our service on that day will continue.
“We enjoy providing this service each year when no other buses are available and it makes a real difference to the people who travel with us. They get to hospital to visit relatives, they can nip into town to go to the pub, meet friends and relatives and just go about their everyday lives.
“We have always thought our roles as councillors is not just about what we say in meetings but also about the practical things that we can do to help the community. Our New Year’s Day bus service is an example of that and we’ll continue doing it until New Year’s Day bus services are restored.”
