Category: transport

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51 bus: Crookes councillors and First/SYPTE meeting report

New timetables for the 51 bus start today
Our local councillors have met with First and SYPTE to discuss the 51 bus

Our three councillors, Sylvia Anginotti, Rob Frost and Geoff Smith, have recently met with First and South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (SYPTE) to discuss the 51 bus route.

A report from the meeting, written by the councillors, is below.

If you have comments regarding this then the best way to get in touch with them directly is via the contact details on the Sheffield city council website.

The three Crookes councillors (Sylvia Anginotti, Rob Frost and Geoff Smith) have been made aware by individuals and through the Crosspool Forum of dissatisfaction with the 51 bus. In particular with the failure of buses to run at the published times.

We were going to have a meeting with First and South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (SYPTE) in January but unfortunately the bad weather forced a postponement and we were not able to meet until March.

You will remember that we were promised an improved service when the Bus Partnership arrangements started at the end of October 2012. This was going to be achieved in two ways; an additional bus on the route and a change of route to avoid Broad Lane.

The additional bus was put on but the change of route didn’t happen. This was because of the number of people who protested that they would not be able to get to the NHS walk in service.

SYPTE figures for complaints show a continued high level of complaints up to January of this year and then a falling off. This could be for either of two reasons; people have become fed up with complaining or there has been some improvement in the service.

SYPTE’s own figures for punctuality at stops on the route show an improvement from 72% punctuality pre-October 2012 rising to 84% recently. This is against a target of 95%. So even by their own figures there is still some way to go.

First admit that punctuality is still not good enough. They said that double deckers were part of the problem and that from early July they will be replaced by brand new single deckers which along with ticket issue speeding up should speed up overall loading times.

They are also putting an additional bus on the route on Saturdays from the end of April and making minor timetable changes. They gave us a list of traffic hotspots on the route which cause problems and we will be taking these up with the Council.

Also they warned that the service could be affected by planned roadworks across the city.

We will continue to have meetings with First and SYPTE. We will welcome your views and experience at the next meeting of the Crosspool Forum and please keep on complaining to SYPTE if you have problems with the 51.

Sylvia Anginotti, Rob Frost and Geoff Smith
April 2013

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Spring snow causes disruption in Crosspool

Friday: welcome to Crosspool
Welcome to Crosspool

Snow falling in Crosspool over the last 36 hours has caused problems on local roads and disruption to public transport and events.

The snowfall in Crosspool seems to be around 15cm, although the wind has caused drifts in some places of up to 50cm.

The 51 bus has been disrupted, with a Saturday morning update on the Travel South Yorkshire website stating the service was terminating at Brook hill and Gleadless.

The snow is still falling, with main roads and side roads not clear at 11am today. Some forecasts are indicating that the snow may ease off this afternoon.

Do check up on your neighbours who may feel isolated and vulnerable during the cold spell.

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Broomhill roadworks to last until 4 March

The temporary traffic lights in Broomhill are not due to be removed until Monday 4 March.

Work is currently underway to excavate up to 15 meters of footway to locate high voltage cables that have caused loss of power.

The multi-way temporary traffic lights are causing delays to traffic travelling through Broomhill. During the morning rush hour tailbacks are stretching up Manchester Road all the way to Crosspool, causing delays to commuters.

Update 28 February: the wors appear to have been completed unexpectedly early, so the temporary traffic lights have now been removed.

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Crosspool buses painted in traditional colours to mark centenary

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Two 51 buses have been painted in traditional livery to celebrate 100 years of motor buses in Sheffield.

Look out for the repainted 51s on the Crosspool route
Look out for the repainted 51s on the Crosspool route

The first motorbus began operation between Broomhill and Lodge Moor via Crosspool on 15 February 1913. As part of the centenary celebrations, two modern buses painted in 1913 and 1960 colours will be used on the 51 route.

And on Sunday 12 May a bus rally will take place at First’s Olive Grove depot where you can see a selection of old and new buses and take part in fun activities.

Giles Fearnley, Managing Director of First UK Bus said: “It is very exciting that people and organisations in Sheffield are coming together to celebrate 100 years of motorbuses in Sheffield.

“Sheffield has grown tremendously in the past century and buses have been at the forefront of this development.

“It is only right and proper that we organise a series of events to commemorate this anniversary and the public should look out for these spectacular buses that represent the history of this great city.”

History of the 51, the least changed bus route in Sheffield

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Snow causes disruption in Crosspool

Crosspool precinct this morning
Crosspool precinct this morning

Snow falling in Crosspool over the last 48 hours has caused problems on local roads and disruption to public transport and events.

Major roads were gritted in preparation for the snowfall, which was over 10cm deep in some areas.

On Friday night, 51 buses were terminating at Crosspool instead of Lodge Moor, and Gleadless Town End instead of Charnock going the other direction. As of 12pm Saturday, the service was reported to be running as normal. Latest updates to public transport are on the Travel South Yorkshire website.

The main roads through Crosspool were also clear of snow on Saturday morning. However, surface snow and ice on side roads were continuing to cause problems for cars and pedestrians.

If you fancy helping clear the pitch at Sandygate, Hallam FC are looking for volunteers. Soup and sandwiches will be provided for anyone who turns up to lend a hand!

An Open Day at Hillside Harvest has also fallen victim to the weather.

Do also check up on your neighbours who may feel isolated and vulnerable during the cold spell.

Wrapping up warm at the shops
Wrapping up warm at the shops
Clearing snow at Sandygate
Clearing snow at Sandygate
Gritting Cardoness Road
Gritting Cardoness Road
Cairns Road
Cairns Road
Manchester Road snow sculpture. Photo: David Rumsey
Manchester Road snow sculpture. Photo: David Rumsey
A lorry stuck in the ice at the top of Darwin Lane
A lorry stuck in the ice at the top of Darwin Lane
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New 51 bus timetable starts today

New timetables for the 51 bus start today
New timetables for the 51 bus start today

A new timetable for the 51 bus service starts today as part of a package of improvements to Sheffield’s bus network.

Passengers have been told that the new timetable for the Crosspool service will be more resilient, with longer journey times to reflect delays and greater recovery time at Lodge Moor before departure on the next journey.

In June, First admitted the 51 service fell short on punctuality. The new timetable was designed in response.

At Thursday’s Crosspool Forum AGM/Open Meeting, local councillors Geoff Smith and Rob Frost pledged to meet with SYPTE and First if the expected improvements to the Crosspool service do not happen.

As well the new 51 timetable, other changes being made to the bus network in an attempt to simplify and improve the overall service. These include co-ordinated timetables that change less often, a new range of tickets, more services on some routes and more buses with low-floor access.

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Hopes for 51 bus service to improve with new timetable

Bus 51: revised route and new ticketing proposed
51 bus: a more reliable service?

Bus operator First is expecting Crosspool’s bus service to improve with the introduction of a more resilient timetable from 28 October.

In June, First admitted the 51 service fell short on punctuality. A more resilient new timetable has been designed in response.

A First spokesperson said:

“The new timetable will be much more resilient, incorporating longer journey times to reflect delays and greater recovery time at Lodge Moor before departure on the next journey. More buses and drivers will be required to operate it but deployed to maintain the present level of service where we’re falling short.”

Another expected output from the Sheffield Bus Partnership consultation was that the 51 route would change, with the bus would going via West Street instead of Broad Lane and the drop-in medical centre on Rockingham Street. It doesn’t appear that this change has been implemented in the new timetable.

A new citywide ticket which can be used on all bus and tram services in Sheffield will also be introduced on 28 October.

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Precinct bench to be refurbished

The missing bench in the precinct is being refurbished
The missing bench in the precinct is being refurbished

You may have noticed that the precinct bench, situated close to the outward bound bus shelter, has disappeared.

After three years wear and tear it has been necessary for it to go for refurbishment. It should be reinstalled soon.

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Your views wanted on changes to 51 bus

Bus 51: revised route and new ticketing proposed
Bus 51: revised route and new ticketing proposed

There are a couple of days left to submit your views on the changes to Sheffield’s bus network.

As part of the proposals, the 51 bus could go via West Street instead of Broad Lane to improve its reliability.

Changes to ticketing arrangements are also on the table including a single ticket to let you to travel anywhere across the city, even if you have to change buses. The cost of a day ticket would also come down by 70p to £4.30.

The Sheffield Bus Partnership is consulting on the proposals and the public have until 14 July to give their feedback. Any changes would come in at the end of October 2012.

Give your feedback on the proposed route 51 changes.