A new Doncaster bus service, which links some of South Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire’s most picturesque beauty spots, is being introduced this Sunday (27 April).
The service, which has been named Peatlands Wayfarer 505, will run on a 50 mile route around the Humberhead Peatlands National Nature Reserve and nearby villages and towns.
The nature reserve is a precious part of Doncaster’s heritage and the aim of the service is to encourage more people to get out and explore it.
Along the route passengers can try out one of the many walks across Thorne and Hatfield Moors, stop for a picnic, enjoy the wildlife or call at tourist attractions such as the Boston Park Maze, the Sandtoft Trolleybus Museum, Epworth Wesley Trail and the Thorne and Moorends Farmers’ Market.
It has been introduced through a partnership scheme between South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (SYPTE), Natural England and Humberhead Levels Green Tourism Forum.
David Young, Head of Transport Integration at SYPTE, said: “South Yorkshire has some beautiful scenery, which a lot of people don’t even know exists. From this Sunday families, walkers and visitors to the area will be able to jump onto the Peatlands Wayfarer and go and enjoy the sites of the National Nature Reserve.”
The service runs a circular route, four times a day, starting and ending in Thorne. It runs every Sunday and Bank Holiday throughout the summer. Towns and villages along the route include Moorends, Crowle, Hatfield, Belton, Epworth, Haxey, Boston Park, Stainforth and Wroot.
Ian Harrison, Secretary of the Humberhead Levels Green Tourism Forum, said: “This is great news and we are delighted to have been able to introduce the service. For just £3 a day passengers can ‘hop on and hop off’ the bus and enjoy the many sites along the Peatland Way long distance footpath route.
Janet Canning from Natural England, said: “As an organisation we wanted to introduce a service, which gave people the opportunity to enjoy the Humberhead National Nature Reserve and the many nearby villages. The reserve has some wonderful views, is open 365 days a year and best of all it’s free. So why not take this opportunity to do something different this weekend.”