Covid 19 Bus Service Timetables

[Mat17 0]

On 31/05/2020 at 13:39, Andy C said:

Lets get a sense of perspective... It is still a government funded reduced Covid-19 lockdown temporary service, in reality the change is simply SL1/SL1a has become 57/57a running to Hillsborough instead of Middlewood, slightly more frequently and with some route changes to cater for more places.

I totally understand that these are unusual times and circumstances, especially regarding financial viability and without Government support all public transport would have collapsed by now.

 

However, thinking more long term in a post-lockdown world, hopefully when some normality has resumed. I can't help but be frustrated by the service changes on this route once again.

 

It seems anyone who works in Sheffield itself could get by with changing to a 52 or tram in Hillsborough, inconvenient yes (considering the long detour via Worrall) but do able.

 

Butwhat about those of us who work across the other side of town and usually change in Sheffield, or those who work outside of Sheffield and have to make connections with trains at Midland station?

 

It's a pain having to change twice each time you want to go anywhere - been there, done it and tried it with the Tramlink. The journey becomes so arduous in the end you just don't bother - at least for shopping/leisure, no choice with commuting to work though.

 

Hitherto I was a regular user of the Stocksbridge-Barnsley bus services as they got me to various places where I could switch to trains, if going to Leeds/Wakefield/Huddersfield etc. However once those services were curtailed in 2011 or thereabouts, I've had to go through to Sheffield or Chapeltown for connections. With the through route to Sheffield now gone and the last bus back from Chapeltown being 17:30, I guess I'm just going to have to use the car for everything. Not something previously I wanted to do, but I feel I've been forced into.

 

Give it another ten years and Stocksbridge won't have a bus service.

Edited June 4, 2020 by Mat17

[Andy C 85]

7 hours ago, Mat17 said:

I totally understand that these are unusual times and circumstances, especially regarding financial viability and without Government support all public transport would have collapsed by now.

 

However, thinking more long term in a post-lockdown world, hopefully when some normality has resumed. I can't help but be frustrated by the service changes on this route once again.

 

It seems anyone who works in Sheffield itself could get by with changing to a 52 or tram in Hillsborough, inconvenient yes (considering the long detour via Worrall) but do able.

 

Butwhat about those of us who work across the other side of town and usually change in Sheffield, or those who work outside of Sheffield and have to make connections with trains at Midland station?

 

It's a pain having to change twice each time you want to go anywhere - been there, done it and tried it with the Tramlink. The journey becomes so arduous in the end you just don't bother - at least for shopping/leisure, no choice with commuting to work though.

 

Hitherto I was a regular user of the Stocksbridge-Barnsley bus services as they got me to various places where I could switch to trains, if going to Leeds/Wakefield/Huddersfield etc. However once those services were curtailed in 2011 or thereabouts, I've had to go through to Sheffield or Chapeltown for connections. With the through route to Sheffield now gone and the last bus back from Chapeltown being 17:30, I guess I'm just going to have to use the car for everything. Not something previously I wanted to do, but I feel I've been forced into.

 

Give it another ten years and Stocksbridge won't have a bus service.

Again, remember the current service is a skeleton service during Covid-19 lockdown for essential journeys only at a time of low demand. Also note before this change the Covid-19 service had no other buses running in Stocksbridge other than SL1/SL1a (each running once every alternate hour) and 201. The 57 and 23/23a were suspended.

 

I'm sure there will be a network  review post Covid, but it will need to find a way of servicing Stocksbridge that is financially viable, which pre covid even with evening and Sunday services towards Sheffield and all the rural buses subsidised by SYPTE, it still wasn't viable.

 

Stocksbridge is 10 miles out of town. A weekly Stagecoach tram/bus pass is £16.00 (or £17.50 for an all operator Citywide ticket). Some might say that is way too cheap for such a long journey. Especially when multiple routes are required to fully service the area . If you also want the bus to go directly into Sheffield, that is duplicating the tram and other buses for a good part of the route as well as adding a lot of extra operating costs. To compare, a weeks travel on the award winning Trent Barton bus company in Derby or Nottingham for a similar distance is around £30.

 

I'm sure Stocksbridge won't be allowed to go completely without a bus service. My feeling is a choice of direction has to be made at some point though - limited subsidised service with cheap fares like now, or a comprehensive regular service with more realistic ticket prices.

 

To remind, the buses currently running in that neck of the woods on a Covid-19 timetable:

23/23a Barnsley -Stocksbridge - Penistone

57 STAGECOACH* Stocksbridge (Unsliven Bridge) - Hillsborough Interchange

57 FIRST* Oughtibridge - Hillsborough - Sheffield Interchange

57a Stocksbridge (loop) - Hillsborough Interchange

58 Wharncliffe Side - Hillsborough Interchange

201 Stocksbridge - Chapeltown

 

*The Stagecoach 57 operates in the daytime whilst the First 57 operates early morning and evening under contract to SYPTE.

 

Principle connections from Hillsborough Interchange towards Sheffield City Centre:

BLUE route tram : Malin Bridge-HILLSBOROUGH-Cathedral-Sheffield Station-Gleadless Townend

YELLOW route tram: Middlewood-HILLSBOROUGH-Cathedral-Attercliffe-Meadowhall

52a bus: Loxley-HILLSBOROUGH-Crookes-Broomhill-hospitals-City Centre-Attercliffe-Handsworth-Woodhouse

81/82 bus: Stannington-HILLSBOROUGH-Shalesmoor-City Centre & Moorfoot-Ecclesall-Dore/Millhouses

 

Edited June 4, 2020 by Andy C

[Mat17 0]

1 hour ago, Andy C said:

I'm sure there will be a network  review post Covid, but it will need to find a way of servicing Stocksbridge that is financially viable, which pre covid even with evening and Sunday services towards Sheffield and all the rural buses subsidised by SYPTE, it still wasn't viable.

 

Stocksbridge is 10 miles out of town. A weekly Stagecoach tram/bus pass is £16.00 (or £17.50 for an all operator Citywide ticket). Some might say that is way too cheap for such a long journey. Especially when multiple routes are required to fully service the area . If you also want the bus to go directly into Sheffield, that is duplicating the tram and other buses for a good part of the route as well as adding a lot of extra operating costs.

 

 

 

I have always tried to use and champion public transport where possible, I like being able to read or listen to music etc. whilst someone else worries about the traffic, or bypassing the traffic entirely through bus lanes etc. great! I don't particularly like driving anyhow.

 

As you state above, I always thought the bus was good value for money comparative to petrol/parking/MOT/insurance expenses of cars, that's why I stuck with them through the ever decreasing service levels and the ever longer detours around more estates as routes were merged to save money (an annoyance when you get on the bus at the beginning of the route!) However I was willing to put up with it, but if after the review the 57 terminates in Hillsborough and goes no further then I'm afraid I won't be using the service again as it is not convenient for me.  As it is, it already takes me 1 & 1/2hrs to get to work by bus, yet by car it's 35-40 mins max with no faffing around switching between services or stood in the cold waiting for the connection, or lack of. To answer your other point about the current services, well I immediately ceased using the current service when the 57 was stopped for the lockdown timetable as I wasn't prepared to 'fight my way to work' and it does feel like that sometimes. So it doesn't look like I'll be going back to the buses afterall.

 

I totally understand what you are saying about the financial reasons and I don't doubt that for many years the 57 route has been 'carting around fresh air' most of the day. Maybe truncated services are the way, it's certainly logical from a financial point of view, but I can tell you after twenty years on these buses that passenger numbers will fall. There was already a fair amount of dissatisfaction about the often missed connections at Middlewood between tram and bus, and especially on Sundays where that could end up in a 20 minute wait in the cold. One of the reasons I believe that a member of staff was provided there to ease passenger concerns and dissatisfaction and he did a sterling job to be fair.

 

One of the blessings for many of the tramlink service customers (but not for me) was that it went direct to Middlewood and didn't detour via Worrall, which was a real bug bear amongst several of my commuting friends - one of the reasons the 57 was abandoned by most people continuing on beyond Oughtibridge, the tram service seemed quicker even with the change. I on the other hand didn't mind the long way round, I just wanted to find a seat and stay there until I got to town. I'm afraid that the current set up doesn't really make any of us happy.

 

I realise it's a tough one and I don't think there's actually an answer to solve it to be honest, but I think I'll stick to my car from now on.

 

[Andy C 85]

Further changes from 15th June, which is when most shops will be reopening, more people going back to work and some kids going back to school, on the bus side this looks like tweaks to the increased service already introduced on the 1st June.

 

Announced so far:

 

Bus service SL1/SL1a  makes a return to Oughtibridge, Wharncliffe Side, Deepcar and Stocksbridge Monday to Saturday daytime alongside the 57/57a/58.

https://www.stagecoachbus.com/service-updates/serviceupdatesarticle?SituationId=ID-16/03/2020-11:36:24:186

 

Supertram services will be increasing from 14th June with Blue and Yellow routes running up to every 15 minutes and the Tram Train running roughly every 30 minutes. Note due to rail replacement works there is no service Gleadless-Halfway/Herdings. There is also engineering work on Network Rail affecting tram train on a few Sundays including 14th June. New times in the Stagecoach  journey planner and app.

 

Also note the government has made it mandatory to wear a face covering on public transport from 15th June.

 

 

Edited June 9, 2020 by Andy C

[Andy C 85]

On 09/06/2020 at 10:37, Andy C said:

Further changes from 15th June, which is when most shops will be reopening, more people going back to work and some kids going back to school, on the bus side this looks like tweaks to the increased service already introduced on the 1st June.

 

Announced so far:

 

Bus service SL1/SL1a  makes a return to Oughtibridge, Wharncliffe Side, Deepcar and Stocksbridge Monday to Saturday daytime alongside the 57/57a/58.

https://www.stagecoachbus.com/service-updates/serviceupdatesarticle?SituationId=ID-16/03/2020-11:36:24:186

 

Supertram services will be increasing from 14th June with Blue and Yellow routes running up to every 15 minutes and the Tram Train running roughly every 30 minutes. Note due to rail replacement works there is no service Gleadless-Halfway/Herdings. There is also engineering work on Network Rail affecting tram train on a few Sundays including 14th June. New times in the Stagecoach  journey planner and app.

 

Also note the government has made it mandatory to wear a face covering on public transport from 15th June.

 

 

Powells bus 6 (City-Hallamshire Hospital-Carterknowle Road-Millhouses) - will run every 40 minutes from 15th June

https://travelsouthyorkshire.com/en-GB/LandingPage/service-changes

 

Edited June 10, 2020 by Andy C

[northernboy 13]

There's quite a nifty new feature on the First Bus app, if you track your bus on the map it shows how many free seats there are. I had no idea the number of passengers on board was tracked electronically - I suppose the driver must have to key in how many get off at each stop? Obviously it only works for First buses, but it's still interesting.

[Resident 1,185]

1 hour ago, northernboy said:

There's quite a nifty new feature on the First Bus app, if you track your bus on the map it shows how many free seats there are. I had no idea the number of passengers on board was tracked electronically - I suppose the driver must have to key in how many get off at each stop? Obviously it only works for First buses, but it's still interesting.

Passes and tickets +1 each time they're used/issued then drivers minus 1 for each passenger getting off. For passengers that don't need a ticket (kids under 5) there's an option for the driver to add aswell. 
 

I can see some minor issues that may arise. Say you go to the bus stop and check, there's 10 spaces, great. But then 10 people get on the stop previous. I can see a few people complaining in those instances. Plus the whole system relies on the on-board internet & GPS connection for the ticket machine. 

[northernboy 13]

3 minutes ago, Resident said:

Passes and tickets +1 each time they're used/issued then drivers minus 1 for each passenger getting off. For passengers that don't need a ticket (kids under 5) there's an option for the driver to add aswell. 
 

I can see some minor issues that may arise. Say you go to the bus stop and check, there's 10 spaces, great. But then 10 people get on the stop previous. I can see a few people complaining in those instances. Plus the whole system relies on the on-board internet & GPS connection for the ticket machine. 

Or it could say no spaces but ten people get off. Maybe a traffic light system (quiet to busy) might be better, but at least it's an indication. 

[Zarniwoop 10]

If we've all got to wear masks from Monday could the limits on the number of people now be increased ?

[Andy C 85]

1 hour ago, Zarniwoop said:

If we've all got to wear masks from Monday could the limits on the number of people now be increased ?

I suspect that is the direction the government will go in but as it stands the guidelines still require social distancing as much as possible and the message is still only to travel on public transport if you have no alternative in order to preserve the limited socially distanced capacity for commuters.

 

The 15th June sees most of the remaining shops opening with social distancing and some kids going back to school, it will see more people travelling but I'm not sure how dramatic that will be. There has been little talk about public toilet facilities being available for example...  The bus services were significantly increased from the previous skeleton levels from 1st June and the trams are doing the same from the 15th June so as long as demand is spread out over the day there shouldn't be an issue, hopefully.

 

I think the big one will be 4th July when it is expected that pubs, cafes, restaurants etc are expected to open but with social distancing. A leisurely trip into town or to somewhere like Meadowhall, Crystal Peaks or Parkgate becomes much more viable and to a limited extend so will socialising, so not only will more people be back at work but transport will no longer be the preserve of essential travel only and it will be busier.

 

I'm guessing  come July the message may be more face covering and travel at less busy times of day rather than social distancing, of course I could be proved wrong.

[Andy C 85]

FOR THOSE GOING TO WORK, SCHOOL OR SHOPPING BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT NEXT WEEK..

 

Current special timetables:

Bus services: https://travelsouthyorkshire.com/en-GB/LandingPage/service-changes#sheffield

Tram services: https://www.stagecoachbus.com/news/yorkshire/2020/june/area-2-rail-replacement-6-june-to-24-july

Train services: https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/

 

Bus services on Mon-Sat were increased from the previous skeleton Covid-19 service on 1st June, Sunday services follow on 21st June. Tram services increase from 14th June.

 

On all public transport from 15th June the government has made wearing of a face covering mandatory. Social distancing arrangements are also in force.

 

General advice:

- pay by contactless means rather than cash if possible, if you must use cash tender the exact fare. On Stagecoach buses no change is given. Buses operated by First, Stagecoach and Powells take contactless card/device payment, daily and weekly tickets are also sold online or via apps. For train travel you must buy before you board from a self service machine, ticket office or online.

- observe social distancing arrangements, including seats marked out of use

- on non air-conditioned vehicles windows may be left open for ventilation

- do not eat or drink on board and do not leave newspapers or other litter on the vehicle

- wash your hands before and after travel

- public transport operators are making extra effort to provide a safe environment to travel, this does mean less people than normal can travel whilst social distancing measures are in force so you are asked only to travel if you have no alternative and to also where possible avoid the busiest times (generally 7am to 9am and 4pm to 6pm).

 

Buying tickets in advance of travel:

- the Stagecoach app sells daily and weekly Stagecoach bus and tram tickets and also a range of all operator day tickets.

- the First bus app sells First daily, weekly and monthly tickets, discounted packs of single tickets and a range of all operator day tickets.

- stagecoachbus.com sells weekly and 28 day Stagecoach bus and tram tickets to load onto your smart card.

- sytravelmaster.com sells the full range of all operator tickets (1 day, 7 day and 28 day) to load onto your smart card.

- Pay Zone shops also sell the Travelmaster all operator ticket range.

- vending machines at bus interchanges sell Travelmaster, First bus and Stagecoach 7 day and 28 day tickets.

 

apps

- Stagecoach bus app offers timetable information for their own bus and tram services with a journey planner and live departures, it also sells daily and weekly tickets.

- First bus app offers timetable information for all bus services with a journey planner and live departures, for First buses it also shows where your selected bus is on a map with how many seats are currently available. The app also sells tickets for their services. 

- the National Rail Enquiries app offers timetable and live departure information for all trains

- each train operator has a website and app that sells tickets and provides information.

 

tram rail replacement project

- the lines from Gleadless Townend to Herdings Park and Halfway are closed until September for track renewals, the rest of the network is still running (services available from Sheffield City Centre to Malin Bridge/Middlewood, Meadowhall/Parkgate and Gleadless Townend) and services will be increasing from 14th June.

 

Buses around Oughtibridge, Wharncliffe Side, Deepcar and Stocksbridge

the temporary Covid-19 timetables have seen some changes to routes in this area, from 15th June the services running are:

23 and 23a - Stocksbridge to Barnsley/Penistone (operated by Stagecoach Yorkshire)

57 - Hillsborough Interchange to Stocksbridge Town Centre and Unsliven Bridge via Worrall and Oughtibridge (operated by First and Stagecoach Yorkshire)

57a - Hillsborough Interchange to Stocksbridge loop via Worrall (operated by Stagecoach Yorkshire)

58 - Hillsborough Interchange to Wharncliffe Side via Middlewood (operated by Stagecoach Yorkshire)

SL1 and SL1a - Middlewood Park & Ride to Stocksbridge loop (operated by Stagecoach Yorkshire)

201 Stocksbridge Unsliven Bridge to Chapeltown (operated by Powells)

For travel into Sheffield City Centre connections can be made into regular tram and bus services at Hillsborough Interchange or Middlewood tram terminus. Some evening buses operated by First on route 57 continue directly to Sheffield Interchange.

 

Other areas

For a full list of bus routes currently operating in Sheffield visit https://travelsouthyorkshire.com/en-GB/LandingPage/service-changes#sheffield

Edited June 11, 2020 by Andy C

[Andy C 85]

Sheffield City Centre Changes - Sunday 14 June onward

Please be aware, there are Sheffield City Centre layout changes coming into effect on Sunday 14 June 2020.

These changes are being made to help with social distancing, increasing pedestrianisation and width of footways to provide more room to move, and to allow queuing for businesses outside premises. Buses will be re-routed to stops that have increased space to avoid any queuing on tight footpaths, or where the queue may conflict with the queue for retail premises.

 

Service 1 towards Batemoor will follow usual route until Waingate. The bus will no longer serve High Street - HS2, or Pinstone Street - TH3. This service will now stop at Arundel Gate - AG13, and Charles Street - CS1. This service will continue along the usual route from Charter Row. Please note, Service 1 towards High Green is unaffected and will follow its usual route.

 

Service 6 towards City Centre will follow usual route until West Street. The bus will no longer serve Leopold Street - CH1, or Pinstone Street - MH1. This service will now stop at Carver Street - CA5. This service will continue along the usual route from Arundel Gate. Please note, Service 6 towards Millhouses is unaffected and will follow its usual route.

 

Services 11, 11a towards Herdings will follow usual route until Waingate. The bus will no longer serve High Street - HS2, Pinstone Street - TH3. This service will now stop at Arundel Gate - AG13, Charles Street - CS1. This service will continue along the usual route from Charter Row. Please note Services 11 and 11a towards Chapeltown will be unaffected and will follow their usual routes.

 

Services 30, 30a towards Crystal Peaks will follow usual route until West Street. The bus will no longer serve Leopold Street - CH1, Pinstone Street - MH1. This service will now stop at Carver Street - CA3. This service will continue along the usual route from Arundel Gate. Please note, Services 30 and 30a towards Royal Hallamshire Hospital are unaffected and will follow their usual routes.

Service 51 towards Charnock will follow usual route until West Street. The bus will no longer serve Leopold Street - CH1, Pinstone Street - TH3. This service will now stop at Carver Street - CA5, Charter Row MH4. This service will continue along the usual route from Cumberland Street. Service 51 towards Lodge Moor will follow usual route until Flat Street. The bus will no longer serve High Street - HS5. This service will now stop at High Street - HS4. This serve will continue along the usual route from West Street.

 

Services 52, 52a towards Woodhouse will follow usual route until West Street. The bus will no longer serve Leopold Street - CH1, Pinstone Street - MH1. This service will now stop at Carver Street - CA3. This service will continue along the usual route from Arundel Gate. Please note, Services 52 and 52a towards Crookes, Loxley and Wisewood are unaffected and will follow their usual routes.

 

Services 75, 76, 76a towards Batemoor, Lowedges will follow usual route until Waingate. The bus will no longer serve High Street - HS2, Pinstone Street - TH1. This service will now stop at Arundel Gate - AG124, Charles Street - CS1. This service will continue along the usual route from Furnival Gate. Please note, Services 75, 76, 76a towards Shiregreen are unaffected and will follow their usual routes.

 

Services 81, 82, 83, 83a, 88 towards Ecclesall Road will follow usual route until Snig Hill. The bus will no longer serve Queen Street, Townhead Street, Leopold Street - CH2. This service will now stop at Arundel Gate - AG123, Charles Street - CS123. This service will continue along the usual route from Charter Row. Please note, Services 81, 82, 83, 83a, 88 towards Stannington and Ecclesfield are unaffected and will follow their usual routes.

 

Service 86 towards Lowedges will follow usual route until Castle Street. The bus will no longer serve High Street - HS2, Pinstone Street - TH2. This service will now stop at Arundel Gate - AG124, Charles Street - CS1. This service will continue along the usual route from Furnival Gate. Please note, Service 86 towards Chapletown is unaffected and will follow its usual route.

 

Services 95, 95a towards Meadowhall will follow usual route until West Street. The bus will no longer serve Leopold Street - CH1, Pinstone Street - MH1. This service will now stop at Carver Street (CA5). This service will continue along the usual route from Furnival Street. Please note Services 95 and 95a towards Walkley are unaffected and will follow their usual routes.

 

Services 97, 98 towards Totley, Totley Brook will follow usual route until Waingate. The bus will no longer serve High Street - HS2, Pinstone Street - TH2. This service will now stop at Arundel Gate - AG124, Charles Street - CS1. This bus will continue along the usual route from Furnival Gate. Please note Services 97 and 98 towards Hillsborough are unaffected and will follow their usual routes.

 

Service 120 towards Crystal Peaks, Halfway will follow usual route until West Street. The bus will no longer serve Leopold Street - CH1, Pinstone Street - MH1. This service will now stop at Carver Street - CA4. This service will continue along the usual route from Arundel Gate. Service 120 towards Ranmoor, Fulwood will follow usual route until Flat Street. The bus will no longer serve High Street - HS3. This service will now stop at High Street - HS2. This service will continue along the usual route from West Street.

 

Services 273, 274, 275 towards City Centre will follow usual route until West Street. The bus will no longer serve Leopold Street - CH1, Pinstone Street - MH1. This service will now stop at Carver Street - CA5. This service will continue along the usual route from Furnival Street.

 

Service X5 towards Dinnington will follow usual route until West Street. The bus will no longer serve Leopold Street - CH1, Pinstone Street - MH1. This service will now stop at Carver Street - CA3. This service will continue along the usual route from Furnival Street. Please note, service X5 towards Broomhill is unaffected and will follow its usual route.

 

You can find further information about these changes, and maps, here.