It is also served by local Northern trains on the Huddersfield, Penistone and Caldervale lines, which between them provide service to Leeds, Wakefield Westgate, Manchester Victoria, Sheffield, Brighouse, Halifax and Bradford Interchange.

Designed by the architect James Pigott Pritchett and built by the firm of Joseph Kaye in 1846–50[3][4] using the neo-classical style, the station is well known in architectural circles for its classical-style facade, with a portico of the Corinthian order, consisting of six columns in width and two in depth, which dominates St George's Square.

The station is staffed 24 hours a day, with the booking office open from 05:45 to 20:00 Mondays to Saturdays and 07:45 to 20:00 on Sundays.

There are six platforms: In 2010, Network Rail and First TransPennine Express completed a series of improvements to the station in order to provide better access for passengers.

The main purpose of this was to reduce bottlenecks at peak times as well as general crowding.

The redundant stable block on Platform 1 was also turned into a staff training centre and toilets.

[12] Work is underway on Network Rail's Transpennine Route Upgrade project,[13][14] which will see electrification of the Huddersfield Line, allowing many of the services through the station to switch to newer, faster electric rolling stock.

The process will also include relocating the 1880s island platform tea room, and rotating it through 180 degrees.

[17] Northern operates an hourly stopping services to Sheffield,[18] and to Bradford Interchange via Halifax.

Set in its window is a plaque commemorating 100 years of Steamtrain Hoorn Medemblik, a Dutch heritage railway.

[21] Since then she has patrolled the station to keep it free from rodents, and even has her own cat-flap to bypass the ticket barriers.

[22] In 2016 Felix was promoted to Senior Pest Controller[23] and local artist Rob Martin painted a portrait of her which now hangs in the station.