SYMCA bus tenders from July 2023 (Read 10,496 times)

[The Captain]

May 20, 2023 10:37:34 GMT kayden11 said:

Right guys, don't know how true this is or how reliable it is but the info i have got is, 201 Chapeltown to Stocksbridge will be operated by south pennine, 23 23a and 24, operated by south pennine awarded from globe, 21 rotherham to Harthill possibly stagecoach evening and Sunday, 10 Manor top circle possibly returning done by stagecoach, 26 to Thorpe salivin will be operated by tm, 61 Hillsborough to Bradfield will be operated by tm, 7 barnsley operated by globe will be extended to rotharham via Wentworth as it used to the old 227, tm possibly got the contract for the 32s to firth Park, and also the x74 from Sheffield and extending it to.meadowhall, the 223 in Wombwell will be renumbered 217 with slight variations, I think that's all for now, as I say may just be rumour Mill and will have to wait amd see but it's what I'm.led to belive atm but we all no what sypte are like

Stagecoach have lost the 26/26A and 76A and collected the vacant 10 tender.

[kayden11]

yes i believe they have lost them to tm travel

[rothlad]

To sum up some of the main changes of the daytime awards that are currently in the standstill period, so subject to change:

5 Sheffield to Firth Park via Grimesthorpe. Change of operator to TM Travel, no change to route or timetable.
6 Sheffield to Millhouses via Bents Green. Change of route and timetable. Will no terminate at Sheffield Interchange rather than Arundel Gate. Revised to operate every 45 minutes.
7 Rotherham to Barnsley via Hoyland. New hourly Mon-Sat service to be awarded to Globe.
10/10A Sheffield to Manor Top via Manor Park/Upperthorpe. New hourly Mon-Sat service to be awarded to Stagecoach Yorkshire.
23 Stocksbridge to Millhouse Green via Penistone. Change of operator to South Pennine. No change to route or timetable.
23A Barnsley to Deepcar via Stocksbridge. Change of operator to South Pennine. No change to route or timetable.
24 Barnsley to Ingbirchworth via Penistone. Change of operator to South Pennine. No change to route or timetable.
26/26A Crystal Peaks to Thorpe Salvin via Harthill. Change of operator to TM Travel, no change to route or timetable.
29 Sheffield/Chapeltown to Holmfirth via Penistone. Change of operator to South Pennine. No change to route or timetable.
31 Sheffield to Loxley. Change of timetable to provide a clockface hourly timetable. No change to operator (still TM Travel).
32 Sheffield to Northern General Hospital via Parson Cross. New hourly Mon-Sat service to be awarded to TM Travel.
52 Doncaster to South Elmsall via Woodlands. Change of operator to Arriva Yorkshire, no change to route or timetable.
76A Sheffield to Chancet Wood via Woodseats. Change of operator to TM Travel, no change to route or timetable.
84A Doncaster to Lindholme via Barnby Dun. Change of route and operator to Goodfellows. First commercial 84 will now run Doncaster to Barnby Dun only. 84A will operate between Barnby Dun and Lindholme bi-hourly, Mon-Sat daytime.
84B Doncaster to Sykehouse via Barnby Dun. Change of route and operator to Goodfellows. First commercial 84 will now run Doncaster to Barnby Dun only. 84B will operate between Barnby Dun and Sykehouse bi-hourly, Mon-Sat daytime.
114 Rotherham to Whiston via Herringthorpe. New hourly Mon-Sat service to be awarded to Stagecoach Yorkshire.
138 Rotherham to Kimberworth Park via Kimberworth. New hourly Mon-Sat service to be awarded to Stagecoach Yorkshire.
181 Sheffield to Dore via Hunters Bar. Change of operator to South Pennine, no change to route or timetable.
201 Chapeltown to Stocksbridge via Tankersley. Change of operator to South Pennine, no change to route or timetable.
217 Swinton Interchange to Wombwell via Wath upon Dearne. New hourly Mon-Sat service to be awarded to Stagecoach Yorkshire. Partially replaces service 223.
A1 Meadowhall to Waverley via Sheffield City Airport. Withdrawn and partially replaced by new service X74.
X4 Doncaster to Doncaster Sheffield Airport via iPort. Change of operator to Goodfellows.
X74 Sheffield to Meadowhall via Waverley. New hourly Mon-Fri service to be awarded to TM Travel.

Evening and Sunday contracts are yet to be announced by SYMCA.

[simonk82701]

First seem to be keeping their powder dry. Don't appear to have bid for much but watch this space. Will Stagecoach maintain the 137 service as well as operating the 138, anyone know? The 7 extension to Rotherham seems a very good idea. I wonder if Stagecoach will continue to operate the evening service 136? It is good to see South Pennine expanding further. I don't live local to their services, but staff seem helpful and keen to make things a success! 

[60657]

May 21, 2023 21:01:00 GMT rothlad said:

To sum up some of the main changes of the daytime awards that are currently in the standstill period, so subject to change:

5 Sheffield to Firth Park via Grimesthorpe. Change of operator to TM Travel, no change to route or timetable.
6 Sheffield to Millhouses via Bents Green. Change of route and timetable. Will no terminate at Sheffield Interchange rather than Arundel Gate. Revised to operate every 45 minutes.
7 Rotherham to Barnsley via Hoyland. New hourly Mon-Sat service to be awarded to Globe.
10/10A Sheffield to Manor Top via Manor Park/Upperthorpe. New hourly Mon-Sat service to be awarded to Stagecoach Yorkshire.
23 Stocksbridge to Millhouse Green via Penistone. Change of operator to South Pennine. No change to route or timetable.
23A Barnsley to Deepcar via Stocksbridge. Change of operator to South Pennine. No change to route or timetable.
24 Barnsley to Ingbirchworth via Penistone. Change of operator to South Pennine. No change to route or timetable.
26/26A Crystal Peaks to Thorpe Salvin via Harthill. Change of operator to TM Travel, no change to route or timetable.
29 Sheffield/Chapeltown to Holmfirth via Penistone. Change of operator to South Pennine. No change to route or timetable.
31 Sheffield to Loxley. Change of timetable to provide a clockface hourly timetable. No change to operator (still TM Travel).
32 Sheffield to Northern General Hospital via Parson Cross. New hourly Mon-Sat service to be awarded to TM Travel.
52 Doncaster to South Elmsall via Woodlands. Change of operator to Arriva Yorkshire, no change to route or timetable.
76A Sheffield to Chancet Wood via Woodseats. Change of operator to TM Travel, no change to route or timetable.
84A Doncaster to Lindholme via Barnby Dun. Change of route and operator to Goodfellows. First commercial 84 will now run Doncaster to Barnby Dun only. 84A will operate between Barnby Dun and Lindholme bi-hourly, Mon-Sat daytime.
84B Doncaster to Sykehouse via Barnby Dun. Change of route and operator to Goodfellows. First commercial 84 will now run Doncaster to Barnby Dun only. 84B will operate between Barnby Dun and Sykehouse bi-hourly, Mon-Sat daytime.
114 Rotherham to Whiston via Herringthorpe. New hourly Mon-Sat service to be awarded to Stagecoach Yorkshire.
138 Rotherham to Kimberworth Park via Kimberworth. New hourly Mon-Sat service to be awarded to Stagecoach Yorkshire.
181 Sheffield to Dore via Hunters Bar. Change of operator to South Pennine, no change to route or timetable.
201 Chapeltown to Stocksbridge via Tankersley. Change of operator to South Pennine, no change to route or timetable.
217 Swinton Interchange to Wombwell via Wath upon Dearne. New hourly Mon-Sat service to be awarded to Stagecoach Yorkshire. Partially replaces service 223.
A1 Meadowhall to Waverley via Sheffield City Airport. Withdrawn and partially replaced by new service X74.
X4 Doncaster to Doncaster Sheffield Airport via iPort. Change of operator to Goodfellows.
X74 Sheffield to Meadowhall via Waverley. New hourly Mon-Fri service to be awarded to TM Travel.

Evening and Sunday contracts are yet to be announced by SYMCA.

Wow. Big gains for TM and South Pennine. Slightly surprised. Are Wellglade finally giving TM the proper backing they also give Trentbarton? Meanwhile doesn't look so good for Cawthornes.

[alemaster]

Interesting to see expansion continue at South Pennine. TM Travel also appear to have got the M17 (Dore-Jordanthorpe) and First the 725 Bradway-Meadowhead school bus.
bustimes.org/services/m17-dore-bradway-jordanthorpe-2
bustimes.org/services/725-meadowhead-bradway

Cawthornes I guess we need to keep in mind only has a very small fleet for service buses and whilst they currently have a number of different routes all are only a limited number of trips a day with the same bus interworking between multiple routes.

[peggy]

First are operating the 725 from 7 September 2023 until 15 August 2023 according to Bustimes.org. Looks like time travelling buses are here, must be the future of bus travel.

[rothlad]

Think there's a lot of wrong info being pulled through on Bus Times due to BODS. 42 day registration deadline isn't until tomorrow when most operators will register the services.

Understand some late changes include the 52 in Doncaster, which will now run through to/from Wakefield city centre as service 496. Hopefully WYCA and SYMCA can come to some funding arrangement to allow the full Mon-Sat daytime service to be reintroduced between Doncaster and Wakefield.

Related to these changes, understand TM Travel services 142/150 (operated under contract to DCC) will be transferring to Trent Barton/Notts + Derby, to allow these resources to be deployed on the new SY work.

[alemaster]

Appears to be hints when you read the meeting notes on the SYMCA website that come September they may be axing evening and Sunday tendered buses and using the money instead to continue subsidising the 80p Zoom Beyond fares for 18-21 year olds.. (https://governance.southyorkshire-ca.gov.uk/documents/s14539/Bus%20Services%20Update.pdf )

Anyway, onto actual confirmed facts - the first of the registrations have started to appear on the government website in the last couple of days...

PB0000092/365 Cancelled
THE YORKSHIRE TRACTION CO LTD
Route: Chapeltown to Stocksbridge
Service number: 201 (201)
Service type: Normal Stopping
Effective date: 23 Jul 2023

PB0000092/309 Cancelled
THE YORKSHIRE TRACTION CO LTD
Route: Crystal Peaks to Thorpe Salvin Circ
Service number: 026 (26, 26a, 26a, 26, 26a)
Service type: Normal Stopping
Effective date: 23 Jul 2023

PB0000092/373 Cancelled
THE YORKSHIRE TRACTION CO LTD
Route: Meadowhead School to Bradway
Service number: 725
Service type: Normal Stopping
Effective date: 23 Jul 2023

PB0000092/375 Cancelled
THE YORKSHIRE TRACTION CO LTD
Route: Sheffield to Chancet Wood
Service number: 76A
Service type: Normal Stopping
Effective date: 23 Jul 2023

PB0000092/371 Cancelled
THE YORKSHIRE TRACTION CO LTD
Route: Wath to Wombwell
Service number: 223
Service type: Normal Stopping
Effective date: 23 Jul 2023

PB0001484/197 Registered
LINCOLNSHIRE ROAD CAR COMPANY LIMITED
Route: Worksop to Rotherham
Service number: 19 (19A, 619)
Service type: Normal Stopping
Effective date: 24 Jul 2023

PB1088444/30 Registered
T M TRAVEL LTD
Route: Sheffield to Bakewell
Service number: 218
Service type: Normal Stopping
Effective date: 23 Jul 2023

PB0000092/380 Registered (Short notice)
THE YORKSHIRE TRACTION CO LTD
Route: Rotherham to Rotherham via Herringthorpe
Service number: 114
Service type: Normal Stopping
Effective date: 23 Jul 2023

PB0002307/344 Registered
FIRST SOUTH YORKSHIRE LIMITED
Route: Doncaster Interchange to Barnby Dunn/Lindholme/Sykehouse
Service number: 84
Service type: Normal Stopping
Effective date: 24 Jul 2023

PB0000092/377 Registered
THE YORKSHIRE TRACTION CO LTD
Route: Swinton to Wombwell
Service number: 217
Service type: Normal Stopping
Effective date: 23 Jul 2023

PB0000092/378 Registered
THE YORKSHIRE TRACTION CO LTD
Route: Rotherham to Kimberworth Park via Kimberworth
Service number: 138 (138)
Service type: Normal Stopping
Effective date: 23 Jul 2023

PB0002307/454 Registered
FIRST SOUTH YORKSHIRE LIMITED
Route: Doncaster Frenchgate Interchange to Doncaster Sheffield airport via iPort
Service number: X4
Service type: Normal Stopping
Effective date: 23 Jul 2023

PB0002307/56 Registered
FIRST SOUTH YORKSHIRE LIMITED
Route: Doncaster South Bus Station to South Emsall
Service number: 52 (54)
Service type: Normal Stopping
Effective date: 24 Jul 2023

PB0002307/307 Registered
FIRST SOUTH YORKSHIRE LIMITED
Route: Doncaster to Scawsby
Service number: 41
Service type: Normal Stopping
Effective date: 23 Jul 2023

PB0000092/379 Registered
THE YORKSHIRE TRACTION CO LTD
Route: Manor Top to Manor Top via Royal Hallamshire Hospital
Service number: 10 (10A)
Service type: Normal Stopping
Effective date: 23 Jul 2023

PB0000092/231 Registered
THE YORKSHIRE TRACTION CO LTD
Route: Chapeltown to Fulwood
Service number: 083 (83, 83)
Service type: Normal Stopping
Effective date: 23 Jul 2023

PB1059494/14 Cancelled
ROSA HOLDINGS LTD
Route: Barnsley Interchange to Ingbirchworth /Stocksbridge via Thurgoland, Penistone
Service number: 23 (23A, 24)
Service type: Normal Stopping
Effective date: 23 Jul 2023

PB1059494/16 Cancelled
ROSA HOLDINGS LTD
Route: Penistone Grammar School to Millhouse Green via Crow Edge
Service number: 401 (491)
Service type: School or Works
Effective date: 23 Jul 2023

PB1059494/13 Registered
ROSA HOLDINGS LTD
Route: Barnsley Interchange to Rotherham Interchange via Blacker Hill
Service number: 7
Service type: Normal Stopping
Effective date: 23 Jul 2023

PB1059494/24 Registered
ROSA HOLDINGS LTD
Route: Barnsley Interchange to Doncaster via Mexborough
Service number: X20
Service type: Normal Stopping
Effective date: 23 Jul 2023

PB0000092/363 Registered
THE YORKSHIRE TRACTION CO LTD
Route: Sheffield to Millhouses via Bents Green
Service number: 6 (6)
Service type: Normal Stopping
Effective date: 23 Jul 2023

[simonk82701]

Jun 15, 2023 16:09:34 GMT alemaster said:

Appears to be hints when you read the meeting notes on the SYMCA website that come September they may be axing evening and Sunday tendered buses and using the money instead to continue subsidising the 80p Zoom Beyond fares for 18-21 year olds.. (https://governance.southyorkshire-ca.gov.uk/documents/s14539/Bus%20Services%20Update.pdf )

Anyway, onto actual confirmed facts - the first of the registrations have started to appear on the government website in the last couple of days...

PB0000092/365 Cancelled
THE YORKSHIRE TRACTION CO LTD
Route: Chapeltown to Stocksbridge
Service number: 201 (201)
Service type: Normal Stopping
Effective date: 23 Jul 2023

PB0000092/309 Cancelled
THE YORKSHIRE TRACTION CO LTD
Route: Crystal Peaks to Thorpe Salvin Circ
Service number: 026 (26, 26a, 26a, 26, 26a)
Service type: Normal Stopping
Effective date: 23 Jul 2023

PB0000092/373 Cancelled
THE YORKSHIRE TRACTION CO LTD
Route: Meadowhead School to Bradway
Service number: 725
Service type: Normal Stopping
Effective date: 23 Jul 2023

PB0000092/375 Cancelled
THE YORKSHIRE TRACTION CO LTD
Route: Sheffield to Chancet Wood
Service number: 76A
Service type: Normal Stopping
Effective date: 23 Jul 2023

PB0000092/371 Cancelled
THE YORKSHIRE TRACTION CO LTD
Route: Wath to Wombwell
Service number: 223
Service type: Normal Stopping
Effective date: 23 Jul 2023

PB0001484/197 Registered
LINCOLNSHIRE ROAD CAR COMPANY LIMITED
Route: Worksop to Rotherham
Service number: 19 (19A, 619)
Service type: Normal Stopping
Effective date: 24 Jul 2023

PB1088444/30 Registered
T M TRAVEL LTD
Route: Sheffield to Bakewell
Service number: 218
Service type: Normal Stopping
Effective date: 23 Jul 2023

PB0000092/380 Registered (Short notice)
THE YORKSHIRE TRACTION CO LTD
Route: Rotherham to Rotherham via Herringthorpe
Service number: 114
Service type: Normal Stopping
Effective date: 23 Jul 2023

PB0002307/344 Registered
FIRST SOUTH YORKSHIRE LIMITED
Route: Doncaster Interchange to Barnby Dunn/Lindholme/Sykehouse
Service number: 84
Service type: Normal Stopping
Effective date: 24 Jul 2023

PB0000092/377 Registered
THE YORKSHIRE TRACTION CO LTD
Route: Swinton to Wombwell
Service number: 217
Service type: Normal Stopping
Effective date: 23 Jul 2023

PB0000092/378 Registered
THE YORKSHIRE TRACTION CO LTD
Route: Rotherham to Kimberworth Park via Kimberworth
Service number: 138 (138)
Service type: Normal Stopping
Effective date: 23 Jul 2023

PB0002307/454 Registered
FIRST SOUTH YORKSHIRE LIMITED
Route: Doncaster Frenchgate Interchange to Doncaster Sheffield airport via iPort
Service number: X4
Service type: Normal Stopping
Effective date: 23 Jul 2023

PB0002307/56 Registered
FIRST SOUTH YORKSHIRE LIMITED
Route: Doncaster South Bus Station to South Emsall
Service number: 52 (54)
Service type: Normal Stopping
Effective date: 24 Jul 2023

PB0002307/307 Registered
FIRST SOUTH YORKSHIRE LIMITED
Route: Doncaster to Scawsby
Service number: 41
Service type: Normal Stopping
Effective date: 23 Jul 2023

PB0000092/379 Registered
THE YORKSHIRE TRACTION CO LTD
Route: Manor Top to Manor Top via Royal Hallamshire Hospital
Service number: 10 (10A)
Service type: Normal Stopping
Effective date: 23 Jul 2023

PB0000092/231 Registered
THE YORKSHIRE TRACTION CO LTD
Route: Chapeltown to Fulwood
Service number: 083 (83, 83)
Service type: Normal Stopping
Effective date: 23 Jul 2023

PB1059494/14 Cancelled
ROSA HOLDINGS LTD
Route: Barnsley Interchange to Ingbirchworth /Stocksbridge via Thurgoland, Penistone
Service number: 23 (23A, 24)
Service type: Normal Stopping
Effective date: 23 Jul 2023

PB1059494/16 Cancelled
ROSA HOLDINGS LTD
Route: Penistone Grammar School to Millhouse Green via Crow Edge
Service number: 401 (491)
Service type: School or Works
Effective date: 23 Jul 2023

PB1059494/13 Registered
ROSA HOLDINGS LTD
Route: Barnsley Interchange to Rotherham Interchange via Blacker Hill
Service number: 7
Service type: Normal Stopping
Effective date: 23 Jul 2023

PB1059494/24 Registered
ROSA HOLDINGS LTD
Route: Barnsley Interchange to Doncaster via Mexborough
Service number: X20
Service type: Normal Stopping
Effective date: 23 Jul 2023

PB0000092/363 Registered
THE YORKSHIRE TRACTION CO LTD
Route: Sheffield to Millhouses via Bents Green
Service number: 6 (6)
Service type: Normal Stopping
Effective date: 23 Jul 2023

Sorry in terms of that minuted meeting PDF, I am sick or reading such rubbish and SYMCA pleading poverty. They can find money to work on Doncaster airport, which let's face it, may lead nowhere. The 80p zoom passes need to be gone, routes that are presumably costly and are covered by another route, i.e. the X7 need to be removed or run commercially. If a bus that only runs three return trips a day can not be funded by the commuters who use it, then the x1 is a good alternative. They also need to stop blaming covid. Yes it caused a lot of issues in the industry, but let's face it, very few buses have run normally over the last eighteen months, due to driver shortages. As well as what I can only describe poor maintenance. I have broken down on buses more in the last three months, than in the previous three years. I have said before, if reliability is not improved, those people that can drive will return to their cars, causing further environmental impacts. For people to return to the buses, you have to give them something to return for. Buses need to be cheap, frequent, comfortable and reliable. Till then only a few will use them. Drivers cabs and saloons need to be air conditioned in the Summer and heated in the winter. It is not too much to ask. I am no fan of the current Government, but companies have had grants to maintain services of an awful lot of money, and service standards have plummeted. Cancelations all over the place, breakdowns, congestion and multiple roadworks on the same route. It's about time a few heads were banged together and things got sorted. Primarily councils and other stakeholders need to work together to limit roadworks and improve access for buses. Driver conditions must also be improved.                 

[alemaster]

Sorry in terms of that minuted meeting PDF, I am sick or reading such rubbish and SYMCA pleading poverty. They can find money to work on Doncaster airport, which let's face it, may lead nowhere. The 80p zoom passes need to be gone, routes that are presumably costly and are covered by another route, i.e. the X7 need to be removed or run commercially. If a bus that only runs three return trips a day can not be funded by the commuters who use it, then the x1 is a good alternative. They also need to stop blaming covid. Yes it caused a lot of issues in the industry, but let's face it, very few buses have run normally over the last eighteen months, due to driver shortages. As well as what I can only describe poor maintenance. I have broken down on buses more in the last three months, than in the previous three years. I have said before, if reliability is not improved, those people that can drive will return to their cars, causing further environmental impacts. For people to return to the buses, you have to give them something to return for. Buses need to be cheap, frequent, comfortable and reliable. Till then only a few will use them. Drivers cabs and saloons need to be air conditioned in the Summer and heated in the winter. It is not too much to ask. I am no fan of the current Government, but companies have had grants to maintain services of an awful lot of money, and service standards have plummeted. Cancelations all over the place, breakdowns, congestion and multiple roadworks on the same route. It's about time a few heads were banged together and things got sorted. Primarily councils and other stakeholders need to work together to limit roadworks and improve access for buses. Driver conditions must also be improved.                 [/quote]

I guess between now and September the mayor will be keen to find some money down the back of the sofa so nothing has to be cut.

I would argue we already have cheap fares and mostly decent vehicles. There are also very few areas that have no bus service at all.

The issues I see are
- passengers actively told not to use public transport through Covid as it was dangerous, so many got cars and still use them - or have got used to working from home
- many drivers left during Covid, either poached by the trucking industry who were short post brexit or by couriers who saw huge increase in demand in delivering online shopping.
- slow and unreliable journey times caused by a lack of bus priority measures or those that do exist not being enforced by the council
- planning departments authorising new residential developments inaccessible by public transport
- Closure of road containing flagship City Centre bus stops during Covid, still replaced by temporary stops in unpleasant locations with no facilities, some of which cannot be served at the weekend
- council promoting City Centre parking and not public transport
- failure to award contracts to any operator for some established tendered service
- cuts to evening and Sunday bus services
- missing links
- poor awareness of what services do exist due to a lack of publicity
- changes in demand in terms of where people want to travel, when and why that the network hasn't adapted to
- county boundary acting like a glass wall

[simonk82701]

I mostly agree with you alemaster. County boarders acting like a glass wall is a definite issue. I feel that that is why SYMCA should come into line with it's surrounding areas and cut it's costly optional perks. The number of times I see a kid trying to travel into Worksop on their zoom pass is farcical, then when drivers tell them the cannot, all they get is grief. When I say cheaper fares I mean nationally, they are only cheap at the moment because the Government subsidises them. A four mile local single journey for me before 9:30am is normally £5.10. or £7.80 return. Missing links and reliability issues yes, but I would argue that's up to SYMCA to solve.There were many routes that received no bids, that I think was down to driver shortages, as well as dealing with the bureaucracy of SYMCA, who couldn't even put new timetables up in Rotherham bus station until 10 days after the October 2022 service changes. Whilst Covid has played it's big part, operators and SYMCA can only blame it for so long. Why for example is my local depot very reluctant to employ part time staff when that is what some staff want? It's better to have a driver some of the time than for them to walk away which I have seen happen. On top of that, some cabs at the minute are over 30 degrees. Companies could make changes over time that would cost very little money, but they are too set it their ways. Why was I on a bus the other day with the heater pumping warm air out. changes in demand in terms of where people want to travel, when and why that the network hasn't adapted to, very true. How long do they need to adapt?

[alemaster]

Jun 17, 2023 7:49:39 GMT simonk82701 said:

I mostly agree with you alemaster. County boarders acting like a glass wall is a definite issue. I feel that that is why SYMCA should come into line with it's surrounding areas and cut it's costly optional perks. The number of times I see a kid trying to travel into Worksop on their zoom pass is farcical, then when drivers tell them the cannot, all they get is grief. When I say cheaper fares I mean nationally, they are only cheap at the moment because the Government subsidises them. A four mile local single journey for me before 9:30am is normally £5.10. or £7.80 return. Missing links and reliability issues yes, but I would argue that's up to SYMCA to solve.There were many routes that received no bids, that I think was down to driver shortages, as well as dealing with the bureaucracy of SYMCA, who couldn't even put new timetables up in Rotherham bus station until 10 days after the October 2022 service changes. Whilst Covid has played it's big part, operators and SYMCA can only blame it for so long. Why for example is my local depot very reluctant to employ part time staff when that is what some staff want? It's better to have a driver some of the time than for them to walk away which I have seen happen. On top of that, some cabs at the minute are over 30 degrees. Companies could make changes over time that would cost very little money, but they are too set it their ways. Why was I on a bus the other day with the heater pumping warm air out. changes in demand in terms of where people want to travel, when and why that the network hasn't adapted to, very true. How long do they need to adapt?

The issues I list are mainly from the view point of a user and when we talk about "the industry" needing to change that isn't just the businesses that provide the bus service - it is the local authorities and government they work with who all need to be on the same page.

For journeys entirely within Sheffield, the single fares without the government fare cap scheme would be generally £2.50-£3.50 with the CityWide day ticket at £5.90 and Citywide weekly £21.80 (or slightly less in advance). These prices aren't unreasonable.

Talking of child fares and seeing your comment, there could be an argument that a national scheme like the Senior/Disabled ENCTS one for children of school and college age might be sensible - half the adult fare like the trains perhaps with the local authority borders not being an issue?

The deregulated system we still have is based on private operators running what they can commercially and the local authority, SYMCA in our case, filling the gaps with tendered services they subsidise. However here we also had the Sheffield Bus Partnership where SYPTE drew up the network, it is probably time for all to work together to review it once again. There should by now be a decent sample of ticket machine data to analyse, combined with road traffic data, to see where and when the demand is now for travel by both bus and car.

SYMCA is headed by an elected mayor so what the money gets spent on is something of a political decision and the value of some initiatives could debated until the cows come home with different people having different views, however personally I think the starting point should be a reasonably comprehensive public transport network for all across the area running from early until late with initiatives such as subsidised travel for young adults etc being something that happens only if there is still money left spare. Where I live buses stop running at 8pm so all those 18-21 year olds with their 80p passes cannot actually use them to go out to the cinema, bowling alley, skating rink, pub, friends house or whatever for socialising in the evening because there are no buses to use it on!

I'd suggest some of the comments about SYMCA may be a little unfair - contracts weren't bid for I guess for a variety of reasons, limited staff resourced will be part of it but the short lengths of contracts made them unattractive too, why would a business invest in drivers and vehicles (which now have to be clean air zone compliant too) for a contract that lasts less than a year? Information provision was probably also made more challenging if things are being done last minute - there will be a timescale following operators providing the registration and electronic timetable files for processing) and if a lot has changed at the same time thats a lot to generate, print and distribute! We also have to keep in mind they get funding from a variety of sources and in different pots that often can only be used for something specific. Another issue is there is a lot of commercial work that has been cut (for example 52a to Wisewood/Loxley, 24 to Bradway, SL to Stocksbridge etc), where communities expect SYMCA to pick up the slack but simply cannot afford to.

Sheffield City Council also need to share some blame. Its their job to provide suitable road infrastructure for a bus service to be provided and run reliably. It isn't the private operators fault if buses are slow, late and unreliable due to traffic congestion; not serving new build housing estates because the planning department didn't require the developer to include roads suitable for buses; being unattractive because City Centre roads previously served by buses with flagship bus stop facilities are closed without proper replacement facilities provided. From a political point of view they really ought to also be encouraging public transport use, however they seem to do the opposite.

The bus operators do still have issues with staffing and increasing costs of operation - obviously it is well documented about the covid related issues recruiting and training new drivers which coincided with the logistics industry suffering similarly from Brexit woes, of course there could be a hangover of things that were already a problem before Covid (long hours, duties that don't quite work, internal processes for defect reporting maybe?) that you'll be in a better position than myself to comment on.

However, my experience where I live is there are missing local links but the main route into Sheffield that still remains is actually a pretty good service in the daytime (every 15 mins Mon-Sat daytime) despite the odd trip getting cancelled, however the big failing now since last October is we now have no buses after 8pm (used to be a different operator in the evening who have now removed their service).

[alemaster]

A summary to recap what we know so far..

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From Rothlad

To sum up some of the main changes of the daytime awards that are currently in the standstill period, so subject to change:

5 Sheffield to Firth Park via Grimesthorpe. Change of operator to TM Travel, no change to route or timetable.
6 Sheffield to Millhouses via Bents Green. Change of route and timetable. Will no terminate at Sheffield Interchange rather than Arundel Gate. Revised to operate every 45 minutes.
7 Rotherham to Barnsley via Hoyland. New hourly Mon-Sat service to be awarded to Globe.
10/10A Sheffield to Manor Top via Manor Park/Upperthorpe. New hourly Mon-Sat service to be awarded to Stagecoach Yorkshire.
23 Stocksbridge to Millhouse Green via Penistone. Change of operator to South Pennine. No change to route or timetable.
23A Barnsley to Deepcar via Stocksbridge. Change of operator to South Pennine. No change to route or timetable.
24 Barnsley to Ingbirchworth via Penistone. Change of operator to South Pennine. No change to route or timetable.
26/26A Crystal Peaks to Thorpe Salvin via Harthill. Change of operator to TM Travel, no change to route or timetable.
29 Sheffield/Chapeltown to Holmfirth via Penistone. Change of operator to South Pennine. No change to route or timetable.
31 Sheffield to Loxley. Change of timetable to provide a clockface hourly timetable. No change to operator (still TM Travel).
32 Sheffield to Northern General Hospital via Parson Cross. New hourly Mon-Sat service to be awarded to TM Travel.
52 Doncaster to South Elmsall via Woodlands. Change of operator to Arriva Yorkshire, no change to route or timetable.
76A Sheffield to Chancet Wood via Woodseats. Change of operator to TM Travel, no change to route or timetable.
84A Doncaster to Lindholme via Barnby Dun. Change of route and operator to Goodfellows. First commercial 84 will now run Doncaster to Barnby Dun only. 84A will operate between Barnby Dun and Lindholme bi-hourly, Mon-Sat daytime.
84B Doncaster to Sykehouse via Barnby Dun. Change of route and operator to Goodfellows. First commercial 84 will now run Doncaster to Barnby Dun only. 84B will operate between Barnby Dun and Sykehouse bi-hourly, Mon-Sat daytime.
114 Rotherham to Whiston via Herringthorpe. New hourly Mon-Sat service to be awarded to Stagecoach Yorkshire.
138 Rotherham to Kimberworth Park via Kimberworth. New hourly Mon-Sat service to be awarded to Stagecoach Yorkshire.
181 Sheffield to Dore via Hunters Bar. Change of operator to South Pennine, no change to route or timetable.
201 Chapeltown to Stocksbridge via Tankersley. Change of operator to South Pennine, no change to route or timetable.
217 Swinton Interchange to Wombwell via Wath upon Dearne. New hourly Mon-Sat service to be awarded to Stagecoach Yorkshire. Partially replaces service 223.
A1 Meadowhall to Waverley via Sheffield City Airport. Withdrawn and partially replaced by new service X74.
X4 Doncaster to Doncaster Sheffield Airport via iPort. Change of operator to Goodfellows.
X74 Sheffield to Meadowhall via Waverley. New hourly Mon-Fri service to be awarded to TM Travel.

Evening and Sunday contracts are yet to be announced by SYMCA.
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Also M17 Dore to Jordanthorpe to return, operated by TM Travel.
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And to add, Derbyshire County Council changes funded by their BSIP grant
218 Sheffield-Bakewell - evening service added

Other SY changes:
83 Chapeltown-Fulwood, timetable change
19 Rotherham to Worksop, timetable change
18 Sheffield to Hillsborough via Gleadless Townend, timetable change

[pberry]

May 22, 2023 17:14:01 GMT simonk82701 said:

First seem to be keeping their powder dry. Don't appear to have bid for much but watch this space. Will Stagecoach maintain the 137 service as well as operating the 138, anyone know? The 7 extension to Rotherham seems a very good idea. I wonder if Stagecoach will continue to operate the evening service 136? It is good to see South Pennine expanding further. I don't live local to their services, but staff seem helpful and keen to make things a success! 

I'm local to the South Pennine services in Penistone and they're a great little operator. Fair play to them.