Travel in the UK
Our Explore Huddersfield webpage gives a few suggestions on what there is to do in the Huddersfield area, however, should you wish to explore further afield the following information may be useful to you.
By Rail
Huddersfield Train Station is within walking distance from the University. It is a Grade-1 listed building designed by James Pigott Pritchett, a well-known architect of his day. It has been described as having ‘one of the most splendid in England’ by Sir John Betjeman, a famous English poet.
The Station is mainly served by Northern and TransPennine Express trains.
Frequent TransPennine Express services connect Huddersfield to Manchester (42 minutes) Huddersfield to Liverpool (1 hour & 11 minutes) and Huddersfield to Leeds (35 minutes).
Northern Rail cover the routes from Huddersfield to Sheffield (1 hour & 7 minutes) and Huddersfield Bradford (38 minutes).
You can travel further afield from Huddersfield Train Station to most parts of the UK, but you may need to get a connecting train or two, depending on how far you are travelling.
Fares depend on the length of the journey but also on the time of day you want to travel:
Peak travel is usually between 6.30 am & 9.30 am and 4.00 pm & 7.00 pm, Monday to Friday, but times can differ depending on the provider.
Travel outside of the above is classed as being off-peak and, as well as being cheaper, it is usually a quieter time to travel.
Northern Rail Season Ticket
The University has made an arrangement with Northern Rail under the travel season ticket loan scheme to purchase a ticket between two chosen destinations.
This gives you unlimited travel anytime between your two destinations for the price of 40 weeks travel saving you 12 weeks, visit the Northern Railway website for more information and some examples of prices and savings.
If you are paid via the University payroll and have a contract of employment in place for the duration of the repayment period of 12 months. There is no length of service requirement but your level of earnings must be sufficient to repay your instalments then you can apply for a ticket.
By Bus
Huddersfield Bus Station is within walking distance of the University.
It is a key transport hub in Kirklees providing connections within the local area and across the region with operators including First West Yorkshire and Arriva Bus.
You can get further afield via coach with National Express running nationwide from Huddersfield and Megabus UK running a coach service to London.
MetroCard Discount
The University of Huddersfield is a member of the West Yorkshire Travel Plan Network and staff are entitled to a 12% discount on a Corporate Annual MCard which allows them to travel on buses and trains throughout West Yorkshire. Employees can join the scheme at any time of year and will be able to pay for the annual card through instalment payments via payroll deduction.
Who is eligible?
All staff, except for casual members of staff, who are paid via the University payroll and have a contract of employment in place for the duration of the repayment period. There is no length of service requirement but your level of earnings must be sufficient to repay your instalments.
Unfortunately, we are unable to accept applications from affiliate account holders and postgraduate researchers, who are not normally on the University payroll. We are unable to accept applications from casual members of staff as they have no guaranteed hours of work. For more information visit the Human Resources website
By Air
The nearest airport to Huddersfield is Leeds Bradford Airport, approximately 23 miles away. This airport mainly flies to European countries. Manchester International Airport (approx. 30 miles away) flies to European countries and further afield, including USA, Hong Kong and Malaysia.
There are additional airports further afield including Liverpool John Lennon Airport (approx. 56 miles away) and East Midlands Airport (approx. 75 miles away).
There isn’t a direct bus or train Leeds Bradford Airport from Huddersfield, however, there are indirect services which means that you would need to change to another bus or train part way through your journey.
There are direct services to Manchester International Airport from Huddersfield, by train or coach.
Taxis
There are a number of local taxi firms within Huddersfield which can be found on the internet.
You can also use a taxi app such as Uber.
You should only use a vehicle which is a properly licenced Hackney or Private Hire vehicle. There will be a plate on the rear of the vehicle, which indicates whether or not is has been licenced by Kirklees. Don’t ever be tempted to get into a vehicle that doesn’t have this plate on, as it’s probably not licenced.
If you are using a Private Hire vehicle, only use the one that you have pre-booked, the only vehicles you should use without pre-booking are the distinctive white Hackney’s, which also have a sign saying ‘Taxi’ on the roof.
If you are concerned whether or not the driver is licenced, then please ask to see their licenced ID badge, which will have their picture on. They shouldn’t mind you asking as they are required to wear it at all times when they are working.
Cycling
The University of Huddersfield provides access to several cycle to work schemes. These schemes allow members of staff to purchase bikes and make Tax and National Insurance savings of up to 47% of the bikes value. Each scheme has an upper spend limit and all deductions are made over a 12 month period.
The bike must primarily be used for commuting journeys but it can also be used for additional leisure journeys. As well as covering the purchase of traditional push bikes the schemes also include e-bikes and some safety accessories.
All employees are invited to participate in the cycle to work schemes, however, it may be that your total pay prevents you accessing your preferred value of cycle and safety accessories. Should you be impacted by the legislative limits then the Payroll department will contact you with a revised upper limit.
Details of each scheme are shown below:
The Green Commute Initiative (GCI)
For any further queries please contact payroll@hud.ac.uk