Bus timetable changes in Sheffield and Doncaster to protect shift work and key workers journeys

From Monday, April 6, most services will be operating a reduced, hourly or Sunday timetable with some extra buses will be put on at peak times, it has been confirmed.

In Sheffield, the 273 service, operated by Hulley’s, will be suspended although the bus scheduled for 3.55pm, running from Castleton between Monday and Saturday, will be replaced by a journey on the 274 service.

The 274, also operated by Hulley’s, will be reduced to run one journey in each direction between Monday and Saturday. The 275 service will run on a revised timetable.

Meanwhile, in Doncaster, the number 27, 98, and 99, Stagecoach services will no longer run. Those who need to use these buses are being urged to check the timetable for the 29 service, for alternatives to Retford only.

A new shuttle service has also been introduced to take people home after shifts in Doncaster, Sheffield, Rotherham and Hull.

First will run the South Yorkshire service, while Stagecoach is set to run the buses in Hull.

Both companies said the buses were not for public use and people would have to show NHS ID cards to be allowed to travel.

The South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive recently blamed a fall in demand for services on the number of people self-isolating and working from home, along with the closure of schools.

Since then, the UK has been placed in lockdown with people only allowed out their homes for “very limited reasons” – which includes shopping infrequently for groceries and for an hour of exercise a day – to minimise the spread of the Covid-19.

This lack of demand, along with staff absences due to self-isolation, has meant that the bus companies have had to reduce their services.

Details of the revised timetables, and the latest updates on tram and rail services, can be found here.

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