Transport Minister Gillian Merron MP officially unveiled the first ‘Smart Route’ in South Yorkshire on Monday (20 November) – a project designed to improve bus services and traffic flow in the S10 area of Sheffield.
The bus services included in this area are the 51, 52, 60 and 120. These are some of the busiest bus services in the UK with around 11 million passenger journeys made every year.
The five year project – involving the Transport Executive, Sheffield City Council and bus operators First and Stagecoach – provides better access for buses, passengers and car users with improved facilities for pedestrians and cyclists. The overall aim of the project is to encourage more people to use the bus by providing a realistic alternative to the car. The improvements will enhance the quality, reliability and performance of bus services by tackling congestion hotspots and improving bus services, bus stops and passenger information. Since the conception of the project the Transport Executive and Sheffield Council have invested in the region of £5m.
The main achievements of the scheme include:
• Improvements to increase the reliability of buses and reduce journey times through bus priority and tackling congestion hotspots
• benchmark standard bus stop improvements which offer passengers comfort and security as well as easy access for push chairs and wheel chairs
• traffic management schemes to regulate traffic flow for all users
• new buses with low floor access, introduced during the scheme development
• customer service training for bus drivers
• enhancing access for all in local centres
• provision of better quality information for bus passengers, including YourNextBus real time
• enhancement of cycle and pedestrian facilities
David Brown, Passenger Services Director for the Transport Executive said: “We are committed to improving bus services across South Yorkshire and I am delighted that this partnership scheme has now been completed. Over the next few years we will be developing a network of Smart Routes across the county. Every Smart Route is specifically designed to meet the needs of the local community.
“Buses are the most effective way of transporting large numbers of people but there are some journeys that can only be made by car. Smart Routes strike the balance between improving and providing priority for bus services and also keeping other traffic moving.”
Terry Fox, Cabinet Member for Transport at Sheffield City Council said: “The S10 Smart Route is a testament to the hard work and commitment of partnership working. We have worked tirelessly over the last 5 years to bring these improvements to bus users. It’s about giving people real travel choice and opening up alternative modes of transport to them.”
Since the project began Stagecoach Sheffield and First have introduced over 85 low floor buses representing an investment of over £9m and have also introduced CCTV and training for their drivers.
Speaking on behalf of all bus operators in South Yorkshire, Duncan Roberts, chairman of BOSSY (Bus Operators Serving South Yorkshire) said: “This is the first Smart Route in Sheffield and I am delighted to see it unveiled today. A lot of hard work and effort has gone into in developing both this Route and our approach to these improvements generally. Bus Operators have invested over £9m into the scheme and we hope that this will be the beginning of the roll out of Smart Routes in many parts of Sheffield over the next few years.”
Throughout the project the S10 community has been consulted about the works through meetings, newspapers, leaflets, publications, a dedicated phone line and website page and drop-in sessions.
One innovative feature of the Smart Route is the availability of real time passenger information. YourNextBus allows passengers to get live bus departure times direct to their mobile phone or on the Internet. Real Time Information will also be on display at key bus stops along the route.
To find out more about the project visit www.citymatters.co.uk