Sheffield buses '˜are now on time' say operators ahead of public meeting

According to the partnership, punctuality has increased by up to 15 per cent since timetables were revised earlier this year.

Problems first arose after city bus services were changed on November 1 last year amid budget cuts. Dozens of routes were axed, rescheduled, reduced or renumbered, creating long queues at stops, full buses, confused passengers and residents unable to get to work. Thousands signed a petition calling for the cuts to be reversed and Sheffield Council held a debate. A number of timetables were subsequently revised.

The public will now get a chance to quiz those in charge when the Sheffield Bus Partnership reports on service improvements to city councillors at the Town Hall at 10am on Monday. The partnership comprises the council, the South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive and four bus firms.

A Sheffield Bus Partnership spokesman said: “We have seen big improvements in Sheffield’s buses since the New Year. Punctuality levels are some of the highest ever recorded with more services running on time.

“We have cut congestion on busy city roads through better co-ordinated services. Thousands of passengers are also benefitting from cheaper tickets as a result, that complement the city-wide network by making it easier to get on the first bus that comes along.”

The spokesman said the scale of service changes resulted in a number of issues, but adjustments had been made after passenger feedback and data analysis.