Bus services suspended in Firth Park due to anti-social behaviour, operators confirm

All bus routes in the Firth Park area will stop after 6pm every night for the rest of this week, Stagecoach and First buses have confirmed after a spate of anti-social behaviour has threatened public and employee safety.

It comes after operators faced acts of vandalism and serious threats were made against staff in the area on Friday, September 25.

There have been numerous incidents of street fights in the surrounding neighbourhoods over the past few months.

Buses will now be diverted to avoid the area after 6pm at night and the operators have urged people to report any examples of anti-social behaviour on public transport.

Services affected include 11 & 11a, 18, 32 & 32a, 75 &76 and 95 & 95a on Firth Park Road, Stubbin Lane, Hucklow Road and Sicey Avenue/Bellhouse Road around Firth Park centre.

A spokesperson for Stagecoach and First, said: “For the safety of customers and staff, all bus services are now withdrawn in the Firth Park area after 1800 each evening for the rest of this week due to continued anti-social behaviour placing customers and staff at risk.

“Adjusting services really is a last resort and we would ask our local communities to remain vigilant and report any information that may assist police enquiries.

“Our bus services are vital to many people in the local area for essential journeys.

"We understand how important it is to the local community that these are able to be maintained and we are very keen to do that.

"We are asking for the support of the community in helping us address this problem.

"The perpetrators will be local and someone will know those responsible.

"Any information can be passed to the Police, anonymously if desired.”

South Yorkshire Passenger Travel Executive’s Director of Transport Operations, Pat Beijer, said: “Acts of vandalism aimed at buses are not only dangerous for bus drivers, passengers and fellow road users, they can also cause significant disruption to the bus network affecting local people and communities who rely on buses to get to and from work, education and leisure activities.

"South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (SYPTE) works closely with South Yorkshire Police, British Transport Police and public transport operators to tackle this type of behaviour and ensure customers can continue to travel safely on public transport across South Yorkshire.”

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