It is expected that there will be very few improvements to bus services before franchising comes in and replaces the existing operating model in September 2027, however a few little bits to report.
Not strictly speaking in our area, but a new demand responsive bus service “SYPN on Demand” has now launched in parts of Rotherham and Doncaster. This is a pre booked ride share minibus which in Rotherham covers the Dinnington area (as far across as Harthill) and the Waverley area with journeys between those areas and Crystal Peaks bus station, Kiveton Park railway station and Meadowhall Interchange possible. Seats are booked via an app or over the phone.
Meanwhile over in North East Derbyshire there has been a change of operator due to the previous one ceasing trading, the Derbyshire on Demand service has now been merged with Notts on Demand with the Notts app required to book rides now. In our area this service includes Killamarsh.
A relatively new Sheffield bus operator, SMT, has dipped their toe in running public bus services and launched some new routes, albeit with a limited timetable to utilise buses and drivers outside school runs. The routes are 27 Rotherham to Crystal Peaks, 43 Rotherham to Meadowhall and 63 Sheffield Centre to Crystal Peaks.
In the Peak District First bus have announced cuts to their service 272 on Sundays this winter with the frequency reduced to every 90 minutes. An hourly service is expected to be restored next summer.
The East Midlands Combined County Authority continue to work on the “Mini Switzerland” project in the Hope Valley which will see many key bus routes in the area running hourly all day every day and timed to connect with trains at stations like Bamford, Hope and Edale. Very little details has been announced as yet but it is expected for the first improved bus routes to launch in summer 2027.
On the trams the Blue route to Halfway continues to be closed beyond Gleadless Townend after an old mine shaft opened up under the tracks in the Birley area. A revised timetable is in operation with Blue route trams running to Herdings Park and replacement buses linking Gleadless with Halfway. Elsewhere on the network there is rail replacement work planned between Shalesmoor and Middlewood/Malin Bridge from 24 to 31 October and a minor timetable tweak from 1 November.
Details of bus and tram services over the Christmas and New Year holidays are not yet announced, train services should already be available in the National Rail journey planners. Keep an eye online at travelsouthyorkshire.com.