April 2024 service changes (Read 6,061 times)

[rothlad]

Service changes from the weekend of 6th/7th April 2024:

Barnsley:
1 - timetable change
6 - timetable change
11 - timetable change
12 - timetable change
20/21 - timetable change
21A - route and timetable change. No longer serves Gilroyd. See 22A/22C below.
22A/22C - new evening and Sunday journeys introduced partially replacing service 21A and 43/44.
22X - evening service increased to hourly, daily.
27/27A/27B - timetable change
28/28C - timetable change
32 - timetable change
33 - new service provided by South Pennine, running hourly Mon-Fri between Barnsley and Kingstone to partially replace services 43/44.
43/44 - withdrawn.
57/59 - timetable change.
66 - timetable change.
67/67A/67C - timetable change.
72/72A - 72A withdrawn. All trips will run via Tankersley Industrial Estate and be numbered 72. Extended from Doncaster Road roundabout at Manvers to Swinton Interchange via the current 217 route from Burman Road. Will additionally serve Woodman roundabout to allow interchange onto services 22X/221 to/from Rotherham.
93 - timetable change.
95 - timetable change.
136 - timetable change.
217 - service withdrawn. Aldham House covered with services 67/67A/67C and Swinton to Wath covered with service 72. Manvers Way will retain service X20.
219/219A/219E - timetable change and service 219E withdrawn. Evening services to be reinstated back to Thurnscoe on a trial, following recent vandalism.
226 - timetable change. Evening services to be reinstated back to Thurnscoe on a trial, following recent vandalism.
X17 - timetable change.
X19 - timetable change.

Doncaster:
10 - renumbered X2 and continues through to Sheffield via Rotherham. Broadway at Balby no longer served.
14 - renumbered 314 with timetable changes.
15 - split at Doncaster Frenchgate. For Wheatley see service 376 below. Renumbered 315 and will operate Doncaster to Edlington. Improved daytime frequency up to every 12' minutes and evening/Sunday frequency up to every 30' minutes.
16 - renumbered 316. Will continue to serve Broadway at Balby in lieu of service X2.
22 - improved daytime frequency up to every 30' minutes.
41 - renumbered 341, with a 341A introduced serving Laurel Drive in Scawsby. Both services will continue to provide a 60' minute combined frequency.
50/50A/50B - renumbered 350/351/352 with timetable changes.
51 - significant changes, renumbered 44, 45 and 45A with timetable and route changes. 44 will serve Campsall and 45 will serve Sutton. Some trips that usually operate dead from Selby will run in service as service 45. 45A is evening/Sunday variant that SYMCA currently contract.
52 - renumbered 353.
54 - improved daytime frequency up to every 20' minutes. Renumbered 354.
55/56 - improved daytime frequency up to every 12' minutes combined. Renumbered 355/356.
57/57A - renumbered 357/357A. 1 journey per hour will extend to Warning Tongue Lane, Mon-Sat daytimes.
58 - renumbered 358. Will operate both directions along Stoops Lane. New revised Mon-Sat frequency of every 45' minutes.
59 - renumbered 359.
64/64A - renumbered 364/364A.
65 - renumbered 365.
66 - renumbered 366 with timetable changes.
71/72/73 - renumbered 371/372/373.
81/82 - renumbered 381/382, with timetable changes. Improved frequency on Saturdays to every 12' minutes, but Sundays reduced to every 20' minutes (currently every 15' minutes) combined.
84 - renumbered 384 and increased from every 90' minutes to every 30' minutes. Extended to Hatfield, Westfield Road. When combined with services 387/388 will provide a 10' minute service between Doncaster and Edenthorpe. Evening/Sunday service will operate as 384A.
84A - renumbered 385.
84B - renumbered 386.
87 - renumbered 387 with timetable changes. Evening/Sunday service will operate as service 387A.
87A - withdrawn in its current form. Partially replaced with service 387/388.
205 - renumbered 305.
218 - timetable changes.
219/219A/219E - timetable change and service 219E withdrawn. Evening services to be reinstated back to Thurnscoe on a trial, following recent vandalism.
221 - Monday to Saturday frequency improved to every 20' minutes. Evening service increased to hourly, daily.
376 - new service following the current 15 route between Doncaster and Clay Lane. Timetable changes.
388 - new service between Doncaster and Thorne, following current service 87A and additionally serving Hatfield Woodhouse to provide daytime links through to Doncaster Centre and Thorne once again. When combined with services 384/387 will provide a 10' minute service between Doncaster and Edenthorpe.
X4 - service extended to Hayfield Lane with timetable changes. Follows same route as Goodfellows Travel X4.
X78 - flips routes between Sheffield and Rotherham to cover for the former X1/X10 route. Also renumbered at the same time to become the X3. Timetable changes.

Rotherham:
10 - renumbered X2 and continues through to Sheffield via Rotherham. Broadway at Balby no longer served.
20 - timetable changes.
21 - timetable changes.
22X - evening service increased to hourly, daily.
72/72A - 72A withdrawn. All trips will run via Tankersley Industrial Estate and be numbered 72. Extended from Doncaster Road roundabout at Manvers to Swinton Interchange via the current 217 route from Burman Road. Will additionally serve Woodman roundabout to allow interchange onto services 22X/221 to/from Rotherham.
73 - evening/Sunday services improved to 2-hourly from 130' minutes. Improved co-ordination with 207 from Rotherham/Sheffield to Brinsworth.
108/109 - timetable changes.
114 - timetable changes.
115 - timetable changes.
116 - timetable changes.
135 - timetable changes.
136 - timetable changes.
137 - timetable changes.
138 - timetable changes.
140/141 - Sunday frequency increased to every 60' minutes on each service. From Rotherham Interchange combined to provide a 30' minute headway.
217 - service withdrawn. Aldham House covered with services 67/67A/67C and Swinton to Wath covered with service 72. Manvers Way will retain service X20.
218 - timetable changes.
221 - Monday to Saturday frequency improved to every 20' minutes. Evening service increased to hourly, daily.
226 - timetable change. Evening services to be reinstated back to Thurnscoe on a trial, following recent vandalism.
X1/X10 - flips routes between Sheffield and Rotherham to cover for the former X78 route. X10 at the same time is renumbered X2 and 1 trip per hour continues through to Doncaster via the current 10 route (except for Broadway at Balby).
X5 - one trip per hour extends from Dinnington to Maltby (Queens Corner) via Thurcroft and Bramley, mirroring the former 18 CT Plus/Powells service that was withdrawn in 2019.
X78 - flips routes between Sheffield and Rotherham to cover for the former X1/X10 route. Also renumbered at the same time to become the X3. Timetable changes.


Sheffield:
10/10A - timetable changes.
24 - timetable changes.
31 - re-routed from Loxley to serve Fox Hill and Parson Cross. Will partially replace service 32 in Fox Hill.
32 - re-routed to operate direct along Halifax Road to Deerlands Avenue to assist with punctuality. Minor timetable changes throughout. 31 will serve Fox Hill.
52A - extended to Loxley & Wisewood to replace service 31. Will operate up to every 30' minutes Mon-Sat daytimes.
58 - timetable changes.
73 - evening/Sunday services improved to 2-hourly from 130' minutes. Improved co-ordination with 207 from Rotherham/Sheffield to Brinsworth.
97 - timetable changes.
M92 - Saturday service introduced and re-routed to serve Fox Hill Crescent. 31 will operate direct along Fox Hill Road between Halifax Road and Cowper Avenue.
X1/X10 - flips routes between Sheffield and Rotherham to cover for the former X78 route. X10 at the same time is renumbered X2 and 1 trip per hour continues through to Doncaster via the current 10 route (except for Broadway at Balby).
X5 - one trip per hour extends from Dinnington to Maltby (Queens Corner) via Thurcroft and Bramley, mirroring the former 18 CT Plus/Powells service that was withdrawn in 2019.
X78 - flips routes between Sheffield and Rotherham to cover for the former X1/X10 route. Also renumbered at the same time to become the X3. Timetable changes.

[ady1977]

is there anything for chesterfield as its under stagecoach yorkshire

[syjunkie]

Feb 3, 2024 14:55:22 GMT ady1977 said:

is there anything for chesterfield as its under stagecoach yorkshire

It operates under stagecoach yorkshire but route changes should/would fall under derbyshire

[alemaster]

Looks like changes to 24 is partly for punctuality and partly to coordinate better with the 25.

52a returning to Wisewood/Loxley I'm sure will be considered more satisfactory than the current 31/61/62 provision although it is a rather circuitous route into the City Centre although I suppose creating a family of routes with the 81/82 that fan out at Hillsborough would perhaps be considered overkill inprovision on the Infirmary Road/Shalesmoor corridor given the tram also runs frequently down there.

73 - any improvements to the evening/Sunday services will be welcome I'm sure.

97 - appears to be a minor change to the early morning service from Totley/Totley Brook.

X1/X10/X78 (to be X1/X2/X3) - the flipping of the routes between Sheffield and Meadowhall I assume reflects where the demand is, again much of the corridor via Attercliffe is also catered for by the tram. It isn't clear whether there are changes to the Meadowhall-Rotherham section. The through service via Maltby to Doncaster will be welcomed I'm sure.

X5 - new direct link is good news as long as it doesn't impact reliability.

In Rotherham the 22X evening service level being restored looks positive.

31/32/M92 - Looks like a lot of tinkering of low frequency services that run around the houses but overall I'm sure will offer a better service in the Fox Hill area, hopefully the changes will be properly publicised so the locals are aware and use them! Assume the changes to the 58 timetable is because it interworks with the M92.

A few disappointments in terms of things that aren't changing, for example no evening service for Bradway still (lost when First axed the 24 with the 25 finishing at 8pm) along with no link between Bradway and Dronfield which was lost when TM Travel ended the 293 which was quite a few years back now (could be fixed by extending the 43a or 86); the poor coordination of the 21/X5/X54 meaning Harthill doesn't get as good service as it could, particularly on a Sunday. There is also poor coordination on the Abbeydale Road corridor between 75/76 and 97/98 in the evening meaning the frequency on the corridor is half of what it could be. I'm sure other people can add more examples.

[duncan]

Feb 3, 2024 18:31:31 GMT alemaster said:

X1/X10/X78 (to be X1/X2/X3) - the flipping of the routes between Sheffield and Meadowhall I assume reflects where the demand is, again much of the corridor via Attercliffe is also catered for by the tram. It isn't clear whether there are changes to the Meadowhall-Rotherham section. The through service via Maltby to Doncaster will be welcomed I'm sure.

There has always been a strong demand on the X78 between Conisbrough and Brightside for Royal Mail staff, looks like this is being sacrificed to try and prop up the Disaster known as the X1. As for a through service to Doncaster via Maltby, there is one there already the 10. If anyone is dreaming that the X2 will be used as a through route then they need to think again.

[TC60054]

Feb 3, 2024 22:03:46 GMT duncan said:

Feb 3, 2024 18:31:31 GMT alemaster said:

X1/X10/X78 (to be X1/X2/X3) - the flipping of the routes between Sheffield and Meadowhall I assume reflects where the demand is, again much of the corridor via Attercliffe is also catered for by the tram. It isn't clear whether there are changes to the Meadowhall-Rotherham section. The through service via Maltby to Doncaster will be welcomed I'm sure.

There has always been a strong demand on the X78 between Conisbrough and Brightside for Royal Mail staff, looks like this is being sacrificed to try and prop up the Disaster known as the X1. As for a through service to Doncaster via Maltby, there is one there already the 10. If anyone is dreaming that the X2 will be used as a through route then they need to think again.

I think the point is more that there is more of a demand through Brightside on the X78 route so the additional frequency of the X1/X10 would be more beneficial for that corridor. I wouldn't exactly say it's trying to prop it up though - it is a very well used route already.
With the X2, again, I think the idea is more to reinstate the lost through link from Doncaster / Braithwell to Wickersley / Rotherham etc, by effectively merging the 10 into what's already there.

[daws234]

Feb 3, 2024 11:23:08 GMT rothlad said:

Service changes from the weekend of 6th/7th April 2024:

Barnsley:
1 - timetable change
6 - timetable change
11 - timetable change
12 - timetable change
20/21 - timetable change
21A - route and timetable change. No longer serves Gilroyd. See 22A/22C below.
22A/22C - new evening and Sunday journeys introduced partially replacing service 21A and 43/44.
22X - evening service increased to hourly, daily.
27/27A/27B - timetable change
28/28C - timetable change
32 - timetable change
33 - new service provided by South Pennine, running hourly Mon-Fri between Barnsley and Kingstone to partially replace services 43/44.
43/44 - withdrawn.
57/59 - timetable change.
66 - timetable change.
67/67A/67C - timetable change.
72/72A - 72A withdrawn. All trips will run via Tankersley Industrial Estate and be numbered 72. Extended from Doncaster Road roundabout at Manvers to Swinton Interchange via the current 217 route from Burman Road. Will additionally serve Woodman roundabout to allow interchange onto services 22X/221 to/from Rotherham.
93 - timetable change.
95 - timetable change.
136 - timetable change.
217 - service withdrawn. Aldham House covered with services 67/67A/67C and Swinton to Wath covered with service 72. Manvers Way will retain service X20.
219/219A/219E - timetable change and service 219E withdrawn. Evening services to be reinstated back to Thurnscoe on a trial, following recent vandalism.
226 - timetable change. Evening services to be reinstated back to Thurnscoe on a trial, following recent vandalism.
X17 - timetable change.
X19 - timetable change.

Doncaster:
10 - renumbered X2 and continues through to Sheffield via Rotherham. Broadway at Balby no longer served.
14 - renumbered 314 with timetable changes.
15 - split at Doncaster Frenchgate. For Wheatley see service 376 below. Renumbered 315 and will operate Doncaster to Edlington. Improved daytime frequency up to every 12' minutes and evening/Sunday frequency up to every 30' minutes.
16 - renumbered 316. Will continue to serve Broadway at Balby in lieu of service X2.
22 - improved daytime frequency up to every 30' minutes.
41 - renumbered 341, with a 341A introduced serving Laurel Drive in Scawsby. Both services will continue to provide a 60' minute combined frequency.
50/50A/50B - renumbered 350/351/352 with timetable changes.
52 - renumbered 353.
54 - improved daytime frequency up to every 20' minutes. Renumbered 354.
55/56 - improved daytime frequency up to every 12' minutes combined. Renumbered 355/356.
57/57A - renumbered 357/357A. 1 journey per hour will extend to Warning Tongue Lane, Mon-Sat daytimes.
58 - renumbered 358. Will operate both directions along Stoops Lane. New revised Mon-Sat frequency of every 45' minutes.
59 - renumbered 359.
64/64A - renumbered 364/364A.
65 - renumbered 365.
66 - renumbered 366 with timetable changes.
71/72/73 - renumbered 371/372/373.
81/82 - renumbered 381/382, with timetable changes. Improved frequency on Saturdays to every 12' minutes, but Sundays reduced to every 20' minutes (currently every 15' minutes) combined.
84 - renumbered 384 and increased from every 90' minutes to every 30' minutes. Extended to Hatfield, Westfield Road. When combined with services 387/388 will provide a 10' minute service between Doncaster and Edenthorpe. Evening/Sunday service will operate as 384A.
84A - renumbered 385.
84B - renumbered 386.
87 - renumbered 387 with timetable changes. Evening/Sunday service will operate as service 387A.
87A - withdrawn in its current form. Partially replaced with service 387/388.
205 - renumbered 305.
218 - timetable changes.
219/219A/219E - timetable change and service 219E withdrawn. Evening services to be reinstated back to Thurnscoe on a trial, following recent vandalism.
221 - Monday to Saturday frequency improved to every 20' minutes. Evening service increased to hourly, daily.
376 - new service following the current 15 route between Doncaster and Clay Lane. Timetable changes.
388 - new service between Doncaster and Thorne, following current service 87A and additionally serving Hatfield Woodhouse to provide daytime links through to Doncaster Centre and Thorne once again. When combined with services 384/387 will provide a 10' minute service between Doncaster and Edenthorpe.
X4 - service extended to Hayfield Lane with timetable changes. Follows same route as Goodfellows Travel X4.
X78 - flips routes between Sheffield and Rotherham to cover for the former X1/X10 route. Also renumbered at the same time to become the X3. Timetable changes.

Rotherham:
10 - renumbered X2 and continues through to Sheffield via Rotherham. Broadway at Balby no longer served.
20 - timetable changes.
21 - timetable changes.
22X - evening service increased to hourly, daily.
72/72A - 72A withdrawn. All trips will run via Tankersley Industrial Estate and be numbered 72. Extended from Doncaster Road roundabout at Manvers to Swinton Interchange via the current 217 route from Burman Road. Will additionally serve Woodman roundabout to allow interchange onto services 22X/221 to/from Rotherham.
73 - evening/Sunday services improved to 2-hourly from 130' minutes. Improved co-ordination with 207 from Rotherham/Sheffield to Brinsworth.
108/109 - timetable changes.
114 - timetable changes.
115 - timetable changes.
116 - timetable changes.
135 - timetable changes.
136 - timetable changes.
137 - timetable changes.
138 - timetable changes.
140/141 - Sunday frequency increased to every 60' minutes on each service. From Rotherham Interchange combined to provide a 30' minute headway.
217 - service withdrawn. Aldham House covered with services 67/67A/67C and Swinton to Wath covered with service 72. Manvers Way will retain service X20.
218 - timetable changes.
221 - Monday to Saturday frequency improved to every 20' minutes. Evening service increased to hourly, daily.
226 - timetable change. Evening services to be reinstated back to Thurnscoe on a trial, following recent vandalism.
X1/X10 - flips routes between Sheffield and Rotherham to cover for the former X78 route. X10 at the same time is renumbered X2 and 1 trip per hour continues through to Doncaster via the current 10 route (except for Broadway at Balby).
X5 - one trip per hour extends from Dinnington to Maltby (Queens Corner) via Thurcroft and Bramley, mirroring the former 18 CT Plus/Powells service that was withdrawn in 2019.
X78 - flips routes between Sheffield and Rotherham to cover for the former X1/X10 route. Also renumbered at the same time to become the X3. Timetable changes.


Sheffield:
10/10A - timetable changes.
24 - timetable changes.
31 - re-routed from Loxley to serve Fox Hill and Parson Cross. Will partially replace service 32 in Fox Hill.
32 - re-routed to operate direct along Halifax Road to Deerlands Avenue to assist with punctuality. Minor timetable changes throughout. 31 will serve Fox Hill.
52A - extended to Loxley & Wisewood to replace service 31. Will operate up to every 30' minutes Mon-Sat daytimes.
58 - timetable changes.
73 - evening/Sunday services improved to 2-hourly from 130' minutes. Improved co-ordination with 207 from Rotherham/Sheffield to Brinsworth.
97 - timetable changes.
M92 - Saturday service introduced and re-routed to serve Fox Hill Crescent. 31 will operate direct along Fox Hill Road between Halifax Road and Cowper Avenue.
X1/X10 - flips routes between Sheffield and Rotherham to cover for the former X78 route. X10 at the same time is renumbered X2 and 1 trip per hour continues through to Doncaster via the current 10 route (except for Broadway at Balby).
X5 - one trip per hour extends from Dinnington to Maltby (Queens Corner) via Thurcroft and Bramley, mirroring the former 18 CT Plus/Powells service that was withdrawn in 2019.
X78 - flips routes between Sheffield and Rotherham to cover for the former X1/X10 route. Also renumbered at the same time to become the X3. Timetable changes.

sounds really good how ever the 217 is a but confusing as will it run through newhill?

[craig79]

The X1/X2/X3 has a distinct whiff of somebody having a dream, waking up in the middle of the night to write it down on a piece of paper, then reading it first thing in the morning and concluding it was a good idea that should be implemented. If it was such a good idea, then why has it taken nearly 8 years from when the X1 started to it being done? The X78 is a well known route number that has been around for ~30 years (and before that it was the 278). People tend to embrace change when they can see some logic / improvement, I'm not sure this is it, but then again there's no competition on the X78 Rotherham-Doncaster section so it'll work by default.

The X5 extension from Dinnington to Maltby seems an ok idea and restores the lost 18 link. First's comment of: now Thurcroft has a DIRECT service to Sheffield that everybody knows will take > 1 hour going via the world (aka Kiveton Park) vs getting in your car, driving through Whiston and the Parkway in 25 minutes says a lot about naivety.

Missing from all of this is the 208, which if renumbering is back in vogue, has an "X4" sized opportunity to fit in. Runs alongside the X3 down Attercliffe. Could finally serve Meadowhall Interchange vs the perplexingly weird logic of only running via the perimeter road. And could run up to Rotherham Hospital (after Brinsworth) and then continue from Whiston Worrygoose through Wickersley, Flanderwell, Bramley and Maltby, restoring a direct service to the Hospital for everybody. Seems a very odd miss, considering the logic of the X2 & X5 are to restore lost links.

[duncan]

Feb 4, 2024 11:20:12 GMT craig79 said:

And could run up to Rotherham Hospital (after Brinsworth) and then continue from Whiston Worrygoose through Wickersley, Flanderwell, Bramley and Maltby, restoring a direct service to the Hospital for everybody. Seems a very odd miss, considering the logic of the X2 & X5 are to restore lost links.

The connection to Rotherham Hospital is not now and never will be needed. Only the terminally stupid would contemplate visiting there as their success rate is lower than most 3rd world hospitals. Most people in Rotherham would happily travel to Sheffield, Doncaster and increasingly Worksop for hospital care rather than subject themselves to that place.

[duncan]

Feb 4, 2024 11:20:12 GMT craig79 said:

The X1/X2/X3 has a distinct whiff of somebody having a dream, waking up in the middle of the night to write it down on a piece of paper, then reading it first thing in the morning and concluding it was a good idea that should be implemented. If it was such a good idea, then why has it taken nearly 8 years from when the X1 started to it being done? The X78 is a well known route number that has been around for ~30 years (and before that it was the 278). People tend to embrace change when they can see some logic / improvement, I'm not sure this is it, but then again there's no competition on the X78 Rotherham-Doncaster section so it'll work by default.

The biggest trade generator on that route after meadowhall is Royal Mail and has long been a MAJOR revenue source for the X78. I foresee more Royal Mail staff resorting to cars like many did when the frequency was reduced and single decks used.The Impression I get is an overwhelming desire to kill the X78.

As for the X1 being well used, My eyes tell me different. It is a failed pipedream from the PTE and has destroyed the once profitable Maltby services. Any minor increases in Trade between Rotherham and Sheffield in no way compensate for the masses of passengers lost at the Maltby end.

[dougie]

Overall positive, given that there are some minor increases in provision and very few reductions, but…WHY?

Or, rather, why confuse things with the X3? If the plan is for a roughly twenty minute service via Attercliffe/ Tinsley and a roughly twenty minute service via Brightside/ Meadowbank then what’s the benefit in tinkering? Unless it’s to try to even up passenger numbers since the X78 generally seems busier both sides of Rotherham (than the X1/X10)? Otherwise, you’re tinkering for no obvious benefit

The Doncaster re numbering is more about simplifying back office things even if it confuses passengers… First can’t decide whether Doncaster is its own Operation or part of a wider SY operation? I thought that the 3xx routes were generally Barnsley (decades ago) and that Doncaster routes were either 150-199 or 4xx? So it’s not as if 3xx returns them to what they once were, as far as I am aware? Feels a step backwards

The 31 changes in northern Sheffield feel like the best of the bunch - I know we all feel like our neck of the woods gets a rough deal but Fox Hill feels like somewhere that’s seen huge bus cuts (without either gaining trams or seeing high rises demolished, unlike some other areas that have seen big reductions).

But, whilst additional drivers are found to plug a few gaps caused by previous cuts, I guess we have to accept that other cuts aren’t going to be reversed, even if there are a handful more drivers available they aren’t going to be used on one busy corridors like the 52a/120 at night

[Mainline]

Feb 4, 2024 14:38:39 GMT dougie said:

Overall positive, given that there are some minor increases in provision and very few reductions, but…WHY?

Or, rather, why confuse things with the X3? If the plan is for a roughly twenty minute service via Attercliffe/ Tinsley and a roughly twenty minute service via Brightside/ Meadowbank then what’s the benefit in tinkering? Unless it’s to try to even up passenger numbers since the X78 generally seems busier both sides of Rotherham (than the X1/X10)? Otherwise, you’re tinkering for no obvious benefit

The Doncaster re numbering is more about simplifying back office things even if it confuses passengers… First can’t decide whether Doncaster is its own Operation or part of a wider SY operation? I thought that the 3xx routes were generally Barnsley (decades ago) and that Doncaster routes were either 150-199 or 4xx? So it’s not as if 3xx returns them to what they once were, as far as I am aware? Feels a step backwards

The 31 changes in northern Sheffield feel like the best of the bunch - I know we all feel like our neck of the woods gets a rough deal but Fox Hill feels like somewhere that’s seen huge bus cuts (without either gaining trams or seeing high rises demolished, unlike some other areas that have seen big reductions).

But, whilst additional drivers are found to plug a few gaps caused by previous cuts, I guess we have to accept that other cuts aren’t going to be reversed, even if there are a handful more drivers available they aren’t going to be used on one busy corridors like the 52a/120 at night

Night time buses on 52s and 120s only tend to really pick up with students from Ranmoor and Endcliffe, other than that there's no real benefit to an increased frequency for either. Perhaps it would be more beneficial for the likes of First and/or Stagecoach to consider a circular between City Centre/West Street, Ranmoor, Endcliffe, and Ecclesall Road(?) to increase frequency on the western corridor of the route(s).

[donc]

Feb 4, 2024 11:20:12 GMT craig79 said:

The X1/X2/X3 has a distinct whiff of somebody having a dream, waking up in the middle of the night to write it down on a piece of paper, then reading it first thing in the morning and concluding it was a good idea that should be implemented. If it was such a good idea, then why has it taken nearly 8 years from when the X1 started to it being done? The X78 is a well known route number that has been around for ~30 years (and before that it was the 278). People tend to embrace change when they can see some logic / improvement, I'm not sure this is it, but then again there's no competition on the X78 Rotherham-Doncaster section so it'll work by default.

The X5 extension from Dinnington to Maltby seems an ok idea and restores the lost 18 link. First's comment of: now Thurcroft has a DIRECT service to Sheffield that everybody knows will take > 1 hour going via the world (aka Kiveton Park) vs getting in your car, driving through Whiston and the Parkway in 25 minutes says a lot about naivety.

Missing from all of this is the 208, which if renumbering is back in vogue, has an "X4" sized opportunity to fit in. Runs alongside the X3 down Attercliffe. Could finally serve Meadowhall Interchange vs the perplexingly weird logic of only running via the perimeter road. And could run up to Rotherham Hospital (after Brinsworth) and then continue from Whiston Worrygoose through Wickersley, Flanderwell, Bramley and Maltby, restoring a direct service to the Hospital for everybody. Seems a very odd miss, considering the logic of the X2 & X5 are to restore lost links.

I don't really think people will care if it's got a 78 in it, after all the other routes are X1, X2 etc so it's just tidying up. 78 used to be a route over Doncaster North Bridge to Woodlands years ago, I personally always thought x78 was a strange name for the route that is supposedly First SY's major route connector I am surprised it wasn't X1 years ago, then again I don't like the use of "x" when it's not an express service.

[crossscythe]

Loxley needed the 31 more than Parson Cross does. Fox Hill has the 32 and the 86 as well. Parson Cross has routes 86, 7, 8, 20, 97 and 98 serving it. The only thing Parson Cross needs is a direct link to Meadowhall. 52a to Wisewood is a bad idea. It got canned for a reason. It feels like they've just brought back all the bad bits they took away and ignored the good bits that people want back.

[TC60054]

Feb 4, 2024 21:27:13 GMT crossscythe said:

Loxley needed the 31 more than Parson Cross does. Fox Hill has the 32 and the 86 as well. Parson Cross has routes 86, 7, 8, 20, 97 and 98 serving it. The only thing Parson Cross needs is a direct link to Meadowhall. 52a to Wisewood is a bad idea. It got canned for a reason. It feels like they've just brought back all the bad bits they took away and ignored the good bits that people want back.

Loxley and Wisewood have needed more than just the hourly 31 since the changes in 2022, and that’s been evident all along.