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Post by crossscythe on Aug 9, 2023 21:24:39 GMT
There's talk of First cutting late evenings right back to a possible 10pm finish and routes like the 52a finishing at 7pm, as in their eyes there is already provision on them. Bearing in mind a half hour frequency in the mid evening is insufficient and Stagecoach are struggling with a driver shortage, I can't believe First would turn down the revenue (they are busy City to Woodhouse) and run other routes carrying fresh air. That would be dreadful if they do. The 52a, in my experience as a passenger, is well used at most times of the day. Time was, they'd be fighting tooth and nail with Stagecoach/Yorkshire Terrier over this route. 10PM finishes would not be good for me, I regularly use buses well after 11PM and so do others. If people can't rely on buses, what's to stop them getting a taxi instead and stepping away from bus travel?! Though it would be interesting to see TM Travel or Hulley's take on tendered 52a evening work. The (s)YMCA couldn't leave the BID without one of the key services, it would be detremental to the night time economy. I do fear this could be a sign of the axe for routes like the 11 and other lightly loaded routes that go that bit further/supplement flagship routes. |
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Post by simonk82701 on Aug 9, 2023 21:25:00 GMT
There's talk of First cutting late evenings right back to a possible 10pm finish and routes like the 52a finishing at 7pm, as in their eyes there is already provision on them. Bearing in mind a half hour frequency in the mid evening is insufficient and Stagecoach are struggling with a driver shortage, I can't believe First would turn down the revenue (they are busy City to Woodhouse) and run other routes carrying fresh air. Oh I can. It's absolutely stupid. Was talking the other day to a former First driver now working for SEM. He said that drivers had put forward ideas to make routes more viable, like running the 10 (Doncaster) through Sunnyside to Rotherham Via the hospital. The whole concept was ignored by management. He also informed me that the X78 buses are being painted back into corporate colours as the MD doesn't think it looks right. Money to burn. I have had an email from a senior manager at SYMCA which I will post below. They are even investigating providing links by contracting out to taxi firms allegedly. "Thank you for taking time to write to me and in sharing your concerns over the state of our bus network here in South Yorkshire. You are right in observing that the network is under severe pressure, and that we’ve had to take some very difficult decisions regarding how we use our limited funding to protect services. We’ve committed an additional £17m of funds from now to April 2025 to protect bus services which would otherwise not run. In doing so, we are having to accept that we compromise on service frequencies at times of day where demand is lower; this isn’t our preferred outcome but we simply cannot afford to protect everything based on the funding we have and the small amount of funding we received direct from government. We’ve also recently taken the decision to increase under-18 fares for the first time since September 2017; again this was a very difficult decision in the face of a cost of living crisis and high inflation but something which was necessary to reduce our costs on subsidising these fares and to allow us to reinvest this money back in to protecting bus services. There are other options available to us; we are making good progress on evaluating the risks and benefits of a Franchised bus network much like they have in Greater London. This would give SYMCA control over all bus routes and services, their frequency, price and minimum customer service standards on these routes. We are also investigating what other solutions might be available where bus services are no longer serving their communities including what are known as demand responsive transport services, increasing the range of community transport services and even exploring partnering with local taxi firms. We’ll share more details on these in due course. I hope this gives you enough information to assure you that we are working as hard as possible to deal with issues we face. And thank you again for voicing your concerns, it is assuring to hear that people recognise and understand the challenges ahead." Interestingly there was no answer given as to the £3.1 million found for Robbin Hood airport. Though to be fair to the gentlemen, this probably has zero to do with him and is probably the work of the Mayor. If stakeholders spent less time arguing with each other we may actually get somewhere, but there are too many sides trying to protect their own interests. I wonder if First's attitude would be different if a London or Manchester style system was introduced, or if they would just pull out altogether, when they realised who was in charge? My email is below for context. I write this email out of sheer concern for bus service provision in South Yorkshire. As someone who relies on bus services being disabled, and has family who live in SY, I am very concerned about possible further service cuts to buses. Especially when £3.1 million can be found to work to save Robin Hood Airport, Please see link at the end of this email. I also cannot drive for medical reasons. As someone who lives in Worksop, and has never had the fare perks of SY, I was delighted to see the 80p young persons fare finally be reviewed. I am afraid that to save services it is a perk that SY can no longer afford. Not to mention the fact that it has not increased since I think the early 2000's. Your June report made for very concerning reading. My question to you really is, how can we plan ahead for anything at the moment? I have appointments in October, I don't know what is going to be available for me to access them in transport terms. People are not going to get out of their cars when there is no alternative available. I thought net zero was seen as important by public bodies. I would urge SYMCA to think about combining routes to maintain subsidised services, e.g why does Rotherham need a 137/8? Could one bus not just do the whole route? In worksop Children pay two thirds of the adult fare. Could that save services? Thank you for your time, I understand that that report cannot have been easy to write, and it's not your fault. However, is it time for SYMCA to think outside the box a little bit? |
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Post by crossscythe on Aug 9, 2023 21:36:05 GMT
I would say absolutely NO to a franchised system. Was it not (s)YMCA that got their meddling hands on the 69 and ruined a well ised service, replacing it with the X1/X10? The railways are effectively run by the government at the moment and they've made a right hash of it - record high cancelled services, low staff morale, strikes, no Rest Day Working Agreements and proposing to close ticket offices!
It's been rumoured that First no longer make a feasable profit in South Yorkshire. Sadly, I wonder, if after 25 years of quality and loyal service, it's time for them to sell up in South Yokshire. I wonder if Transdev, Wellglade or even Arriva would be interested.
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Post by simonk82701 on Aug 9, 2023 21:54:43 GMT
I would say absolutely NO to a franchised system. Was it not (s)YMCA that got their meddling hands on the 69 and ruined a well ised service, replacing it with the X1/X10? The railways are effectively run by the government at the moment and they've made a right hash of it - record high cancelled services, low staff morale, strikes, no Rest Day Working Agreements and proposing to close ticket offices! It's been rumoured that First no longer make a feasable profit in South Yorkshire. Sadly, I wonder, if after 25 years of quality and loyal service, it's time for them to sell up in South Yokshire. I wonder if Transdev, Wellglade or even Arriva would be interested. Quite possibly. I agree with you on franchising, quite frankly, I wouldn't trust SYMCA to run it. I wonder if as you say, it's worth letting other operator have a go. There is a certain irony that drivers have ideas, and First just don't seem interested. Multiple drivers have told me that when Rotherham ran the X5 every 30 minutes at night they made money on it. Your also correct to say the 69 was great, anyone who wanted to avoid Meadowhall traffic could do so. I loved it. I fear that things are too far gone. Money seems to be spent like water by SYMCA, and they are finally realising that this cannot continue about 5 years too late.I also don't understand why they go so easy on operators with contracted services. Some operators, not all get away with murder, knowing that the only consequence will be oh we won't get paid for mileage we have not done. While the poor passenger is left standing their forced to wait for the next one or get a taxi. |
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Post by The Captain on Aug 10, 2023 6:00:07 GMT
I would say absolutely NO to a franchised system. Was it not (s)YMCA that got their meddling hands on the 69 and ruined a well ised service, replacing it with the X1/X10? The railways are effectively run by the government at the moment and they've made a right hash of it - record high cancelled services, low staff morale, strikes, no Rest Day Working Agreements and proposing to close ticket offices! It's been rumoured that First no longer make a feasable profit in South Yorkshire. Sadly, I wonder, if after 25 years of quality and loyal service, it's time for them to sell up in South Yokshire. I wonder if Transdev, Wellglade or even Arriva would be interested. First and profit in Sheffield? That old chestnut again 🤣 |
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donc
Inspector
Posts: 591 
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Post by donc on Aug 10, 2023 14:16:48 GMT
PB0002307/451 Registered (Short notice)
FIRST SOUTH YORKSHIRE LIMITED
Route: Tickhill to Hall Cross School via Rossington, Cantley
Service number: 492H (492R)
Service type: Normal Stopping
Effective date: 03 Sep 2023
PB0002307/469 Registered
FIRST SOUTH YORKSHIRE LIMITED
Route: Prospect Road (Old Mother Redcap) to Meadowhead School, Dyche Lane, Sheffield
Service number: 725
Service type: Normal Stopping
Effective date: 03 Sep 2023
PB0002307/447 Registered
FIRST SOUTH YORKSHIRE LIMITED
Route: Doncaster Interchange to Macauley Upper School/New College Doncaster via Town Moor, Cantley, McAuley School, Hayfield School
Service number: 490 (493, 490A, 490H)
Service type: Normal Stopping
Effective date: 03 Sep 2023
PB0002307/438 Registered
FIRST SOUTH YORKSHIRE LIMITED
Route: Netherthorpe to Tapton School, Crosspool via Swallownest
Service number: 751
Service type: Normal Stopping
Effective date: 03 Sep 2023
PB0002307/212 Registered
FIRST SOUTH YORKSHIRE LIMITED
Route: Hemsworth to Ecclesfield via Sheffield City Centre
Service number: 20 (20a)
Service type: Normal Stopping
Effective date: 03 Sep 2023
PB0002307/352 Registered
FIRST SOUTH YORKSHIRE LIMITED
Route: Hillsborough to Sheffield Interchange
Service number: 18
Service type: Normal Stopping
Effective date: 03 Sep 2023
PB0002307/52 Registered
FIRST SOUTH YORKSHIRE LIMITED
Route: Clay Lane Estate to Edlington/Wilsic
Service number: 15
Service type: Normal Stopping
Effective date: 03 Sep 2023
PB0002307/151 Registered
FIRST SOUTH YORKSHIRE LIMITED
Route: Sheffield/Rotherham/Meadowhall to Maltby/Rotherham/Ravenfield via Bawtry Road
Service number: X1 (X10, 110)
Service type: Normal Stopping
Effective date: 03 Sep 2023
PB0002307/141 Registered
FIRST SOUTH YORKSHIRE LIMITED
Route: Sheffield /Thurcroft to Dinnington/Harthill/Thurcroft
Service number: X5 (216)
Service type: Normal Stopping
Effective date: 03 Sep 2023
PB0002307/349 Registered
FIRST SOUTH YORKSHIRE LIMITED
Route: Chapeltown to Hemsworth
Service number: 1A
Service type: Normal Stopping
Effective date: 03 Sep 2023
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Post by alemaster on Aug 12, 2023 13:53:43 GMT
There's talk of First cutting late evenings right back to a possible 10pm finish and routes like the 52a finishing at 7pm, as in their eyes there is already provision on them. Bearing in mind a half hour frequency in the mid evening is insufficient and Stagecoach are struggling with a driver shortage, I can't believe First would turn down the revenue (they are busy City to Woodhouse) and run other routes carrying fresh air. That would be dreadful if they do. The 52a, in my experience as a passenger, is well used at most times of the day. Time was, they'd be fighting tooth and nail with Stagecoach/Yorkshire Terrier over this route. 10PM finishes would not be good for me, I regularly use buses well after 11PM and so do others. If people can't rely on buses, what's to stop them getting a taxi instead and stepping away from bus travel?! Though it would be interesting to see TM Travel or Hulley's take on tendered 52a evening work. The (s)YMCA couldn't leave the BID without one of the key services, it would be detremental to the night time economy. I do fear this could be a sign of the axe for routes like the 11 and other lightly loaded routes that go that bit further/supplement flagship routes. The 52a already finishes at 8pm and there aren't any further changes to this route in September. Sheffield Timetable changes from 3 September: 1a – Timetable change to improve punctuality 11 – Timetable change to improve punctuality 18 – Timetable change to improve punctuality 20 – Timetable change to improve punctuality 51 – Timetable change to improve punctuality 75/76 – Timetable change to improve punctuality 81/82 – Timetable change to improve punctuality 95/95a – Timetable change to improve punctuality 97/98 – Timetable change to improve punctuality 272 – Timetable change to improve punctuality - an additional service will operate between Sheffield and Castleton at 23:00 on Friday and Saturday only. X1/X10 – Timetable change to improve punctuality X5 – Timetable change to improve punctuality 608 - Service to be operated by Keats from 4 September 2023 616 - Service to be operated by Keats from 4 September 2023 627 - Service to be operated by Coopers from 4 September 2023 629 - Service to be operated by Keats from 4 September 2023 654 - Service operated by Cawthornes from 4 September 2023 as X54 New school services from 4 September: 725 - New school service operating from Prospect Road, Bradway to Meadowhead school 751 - Service to be operated by First from 4th September 2023 752 - New school service operating from Attercliffe Road to Athelstan school 787 - Short journeys on 782 between Grenoside and Notre Dame school renumbered to 787 New timetables at www.firstbus.co.uk/sheffield/plan-journey/timetables?date=2023-09-03 |
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donc
Inspector
Posts: 591
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Post by donc on Aug 15, 2023 10:37:42 GMT
PB2010230/1 Registered (Short notice)
R. & S. WATERSON LTD.
Route: South Elmsall Interchange to Barnsley Interchange via South Kirkby, Hemsworth, Brierley, Cudworth
Service number: 36 (36A, 36B)
Service type: Normal Stopping
Effective date: 04 Sep 2023
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Post by alemaster on Aug 17, 2023 15:10:18 GMT
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Post by crossscythe on Aug 17, 2023 16:38:58 GMT
First have always been excellent at providing an eveninf service on the 272, meaning I can stay in Castleton until late and enjoy some beers. Bravo. |
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Post by alemaster on Aug 18, 2023 11:34:23 GMT
First have always been excellent at providing an eveninf service on the 272, meaning I can stay in Castleton until late and enjoy some beers. Bravo. Funded by Derbyshire County Council. |
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