The local bus routes are being reviewed. A combination of increased costs and reduced passenger number have resulted in operational timing and route changes.
You have the opportunity to voice your opinion. Although the bus companies and local government have explored options you can still have your say. The following information has been circulated by Rachel Cowling, press and information officer.
Crucially the 51 route will be replaced by a new route that will serve Norton more effectively before returning to Doncaster through Burghwallis.
Rachel Cowling:- As you are aware, bus companies in South Yorkshire are free to decide where and when they will run services. South Yorkshire’s bus network has seen significant reductions in the last year due to a reduction in government funding and reduced passenger demand.
South Yorkshire’s Mayor Oliver Coppard has had feedback about the bus network from hundreds of South Yorkshire’s residents, through his Fair Deal campaign and correspondence. The Mayor held nearly 30 public meetings and replied to hundreds of emails and letters following recent rounds of changes.
The Mayor has recognised the bus network isn’t working and has called for government to plug the gap in funding to bring South Yorkshire’s funding per head in line with other regions. He has also been clear about his ambition to bring the region’s bus network under public control, and the MCA is currently undertaking a franchising assessment process. Without these measures, which would allow services to be restored and the network stabilised, the bus network will fall short of what residents of South Yorkshire need.
Through the Enhanced Partnership Forum, the Combined Authority has fed residents’ concerns to the operators, local authority representatives and employers, and the operators have identified changes that they feel would improve specific local services and address some of the more acute needs that residents have raised.
Through consultation the operators are seeking views and feedback on the following proposed changes to the local bus network from Monday 5 February to Thursday 15 February. The Combined Authority is supporting on this consultation.
The proposals include:
- Route specific public engagement
- Minor timetable changes to address punctuality issues
- some improvements in service frequency and routes
- improved access to employment and local amenities.
Customers views are important, and the operators will consider and review all feedback to agree any changes needed before the final network plan is implemented from Sunday 7 April 2024.
What services are affected in your area?
A summary of the proposed changes in your area is listed below:
- Service 51 will be replaced by a new 44, 45/45a network to address some of the concerns from the community
The attached spreadsheet contains a summary of the proposed service changes for South Yorkshire, available from Sunday 7 April.
Services shown on the spreadsheet where minor timetable changes are planned to improve service punctuality, will not be included in the public engagement. Details of these service changes will be published on our service changes page from Monday 11 March. Customers are advised to keep checking this page for the latest service information.
How to take part?
Members of the public are being encouraged to have their say on proposed changes to First South Yorkshire’s commercial network and can find out more information and provide feedback at firstbus.co.uk/south-yorkshire/news-and-service-updates/have-your-say.
SYMCA is also seeking views on proposed changes to our tendered bus services. Details of the services affected and how to give feedback can be found at travelsouthyorkshire.com/April2024.
The public engagement will run from Monday 5 February to Thursday 15 February.
How is this being communicated to the community?
Our Travel South Yorkshire website, where we bring together information from all of the bus, tram and train operators, makes it easier for people in our communities to plan their journeys and keep up to date with the latest changes.
Information regarding the proposed changes and how to have your say can be found at travelsouthyorkshire.com/April2024.
Further information about the changes is also available:
- At firstbus.co.uk/south-yorkshire/news-and-service-updates/have-your-say
- Via X (Twitter) @TravelSYorks, @FirstSouthYorks
- Via customer notices at affected bus stops
- Via posters onboard buses and at interchanges
- At travelsouthyorkshire.com/servicechanges
- By calling Traveline on 0800 952 0002 (weekdays between 7am and 7pm and at weekends between 8am and 7pm).
How can you help?
Please get involved by telling us what you think of the proposals. I would be grateful if you could please also help us to promote this public engagement and encourage participation by directing your communities, family and friends to the above web pages and contact points to ensure that we deliver a network that best serves the needs of the travelling public.
Kind regards
Rachel
Rachel Cowling
Press and Communications Officer
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