A POPULAR Keighley bus network has been expanded.

The Keighley Bus Company has introduced brand-new vehicles and eight extra routes to its Jets provision.

Outgoing town mayor Councillor Mohammed Nazam helped launch the extended service at a special gathering at Victoria Hall, in Keighley.

Alex Hornby, the bus company’s chief executive officer, said: “We’ve worked in partnership with West Yorkshire Combined Authority to take over the eight additional routes and bring them into our Keighley Jets network.

“The new routes introduce a £500,000 investment in a smart and stylish fleet of low-emission Mercedes buses, with bodywork proudly built here in the north of England.

“Each new bus is brimming with customer-friendly features and a bespoke designer finish to make travelling around town a pleasure.

“We’re very much looking forward to welcoming new customers onto our bigger and better Keighley Jets network, now serving more destinations.

“We are bringing the buses closer to hundreds of homes and creating new links for shopping, work, school and more – and fares are being kept low with a KZONE day ticket available at just £3 for all-day travel within Keighley.”

Councillor Nazam welcomed the network expansion.

He added: “These new Keighley Jets buses are a wonderful asset and I’m looking forward to them becoming a familiar sight around our town.

“They’ll make access to shops and services in Keighley easier for everyone, including senior citizens and those with a disability or mobility issues, and as more people switch to them we’ll also see less congestion in our town centre.”

The investment is also applauded by Councillor Michael Westerman, chairman of Keighley Town Council’s watch and transport committee.

“They are fantastic buses – very spacious and with disabled access,” he said.

“In the last 12 to 18 months the bus company has invested more than £4 million in new vehicles and it is good to see this investment continuing.

“It demonstrates the company’s huge faith and confidence in Keighley.”

More details about the expanded services can be found at keighleybus.co.uk or may be obtained from the enquiry office at Keighley Bus Station.

Timetables and fare information can also be accessed via the Transdev Go app.