First buses across Halifax introduces service enhancements from Sunday

The changes are made to help manage continued capacity restrictions on buses due to social distancing as further lockdown measures are eased.

An uplift in frequencies on weekdays and Saturday takes place on services 588 and 589 and on evenings and Sundays on the 590 and 592. The 503 and 576 will have more evening journeys while there is extra morning services on the 571 and 521.

Full details of the changes and timetables can be found on the website www.firstgroup.com/halifax-calder-valley-huddersfieldThrough monitoring passenger data, the company is also advising customers who are able to be flexible with the time they travel that the quietest period is before 10:00 and if possible to avoid 11:00-13:00, which is proving to be the busiest.

Martin Hirst, Commercial Director of First West Yorkshire, said: “We are ensuring that bus travel continues to be safe as levels of demand change with the gradual opening up of the local economy.

“I would like to thank the majority of our customers who are following the Government rule to wear a face covering, unless they are exempt, which is helping to support our drivers. We want to encourage everyone to do the right thing and bring one to wear on the bus.

“If people are considering using the bus to travel, perhaps for the first time, it is now a legal requirement to wear a face covering when boarding and throughout the journey.

“We have social distancing measures in place on the bus to help people stay safe and our First Bus app enables customers, including wheelchair users, to live track the location of buses nearby and available capacity, helping them to plan journeys.”