BUSES: Timetables changes to 13 Sheffield services to come in after outcry

Changes to the timetables of Sheffield bus services will come in early next year - after sweeping cuts caused a public outcry.
Bus timetable and route changes cause chaos for travellers in Sheffield
Picture Dean AtkinsBus timetable and route changes cause chaos for travellers in Sheffield
Picture Dean Atkins
Bus timetable and route changes cause chaos for travellers in Sheffield Picture Dean Atkins

In total 13 services across the city will have their timetables altered from January 3 with more to come at the end of that month and in February 2016.

The move is the latest concession to be made after cuts which came into force on November 1 caused major delays, confusion and chaos - and transport bosses are to face public scrutiny in the new year.

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Feelings ran so high after the cuts that nearly 13,000 people signed a petition to reverse the changes, triggering a heated debate in Sheffield Town Hall.

Since then, the Sheffield Bus Partnership made up of operators, South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive and the council has agreed to lay on more buses as well as changing timetables in a bid to improve the situation.

Services to have their timetables changed from January 3 are the 3, 18, 18a, 20, 35, 38, 51, 75, 76, 85, 97, 98 and 785.

The aim of the new timetables will be to improve punctuality and stop buses from ‘bunching up’ - where several arrive at a stop at the same time, and are often all full to capacity.

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A Sheffield Bus Partnership spokesman said: “Sheffield Bus Partnership continues to monitor customer comments since the network changes on 1 November to identify specific problems with journeys on new routes and to make service improvements as a direct result.

“Customer satisfaction is important to us and many changes have already been put in place to improve journeys, including the introduction of double decker buses to improve capacity and additional driver training.

“The timetable changes aim to further improve the punctuality and reliability of bus services in Sheffield and to make sure the city-wide network is delivering for all.”

Both First and Stagecoach chiefs are set to appear in front of the Sheffield City Region’s transport committee to face public scrutiny on February 29.

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To check timetable changes, call Traveline on 01709 515151, visit travelsouthyorkshire.com/futurechanges or see information at bus stops and interchanges.

Sheffield Bus Partnership have also supplied the following information about changes to timetables from January 3.

Number 75/76

Following feedback that capacity and punctuality on the 75/76 route is causing issues for customers,

Sheffield Bus Partnership will be:

Introducing several additional double decker vehicles to the route.

Adding an extra 75 journey to the morning rush hour.

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Making amendments to the timetable to ensure better punctuality.

Number 18/18a

Following feedback that frequency on the 18/18a route is causing issues for customers, Sheffield Bus

Partnership will be:

Amending the Monday-Friday 07:41 Graves Park to City Centre to operate 5 minutes earlier at 07:36.

The 16:40 Saturday City Centre - Meadowhall journey will operate at 16:30.

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In both directions the route taken between Arena Square and Meadowhall Drive will operate via Carbrook Street and Dunlop Street to benefit from the new bus priorities which will improve the service and also avoid congestion along Attercliffe Common.

Journeys towards Meadowhall will also run via Meadowhall Way (The Source) instead of Meadowhall Road to improve punctuality.

Number 3/703

Following feedback that capacity and punctuality on the 3/703 route is causing issues for customers, Sheffield Bus Partnership will be:

Making amendments to the timetable to ensure better punctuality in the morning and afternoon rush hour periods.

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Changing the inbound stop for service 3 at ‘Pitsmoor Firshill Close’ (stop number 37025213) to ‘The Tollgate’ (stop number 37020220), which is the next stop along the route.

Number 97/98/798

Following feedback that punctuality on the 97/98/798 route is causing issues for customers, Sheffield Bus Partnership will be:

Making amendments to the timetable to ensure better punctuality in the afternoon rush hour.

Number 20

Following feedback that punctuality on the 20 route is causing issues for customers, Sheffield Bus Partnership will be:

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Making amendments to the Monday – Saturday timetable to ensure better punctuality.

Adding an extra bus to the morning and afternoon rush hour to allow buses more time to complete their journeys and ensure a prompt departure on the following departure.

Number 38

Following feedback that punctuality on the 38 route is causing issues for customers, Sheffield Bus Partnership will be:

Making amendments to the timetable to ensure better punctuality.

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In both directions the route taken between Arena Square and Meadowhall Drive will operate via Carbrook Street and Dunlop Street to benefit from the new bus priorities which will improve the service and also avoid congestion along Attercliffe Common.

Journeys towards Meadowhall will also run via Meadowhall Way (The Source) instead of Meadowhall Road to improve punctuality.

Number 85/785

Following feedback that punctuality on the 85/785 route is causing issues for customers, Sheffield Bus Partnership will be:

Making amendments to the timetable to ensure better punctuality.

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Reviewing the service again in the New Year once the road works at West Bar are complete

Number 51

Following feedback that timing and punctuality on the 51 route is causing issues for customers, Sheffield Bus Partnership will be:

Making amendments to the timetable to ensure better punctuality.

Journeys from Lodge Moor Monday-Friday will now run at 07:10am, 07:22am, 07:34am, 07:46am, 07:58am then every 10 minutes.

Number 35

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Following feedback that timing and punctuality on the 35 route is causing issues for customers,Sheffield Bus Partnership will be:

Making amendments to the Monday-Saturday timetable to ensure better punctuality.

Some journeys will begin 20 minutes earlier.