Mixed response to Rotherham bus timetable shake-up

First South Yorkshire ran a consultation in October, which was criticised for being under-publicised and online only.

Alterations to the timetables were published by Travel South Yorkshire last weekend and will come into effect on Sunday, January 26.

The X1 and X10 will have reduced frequency, but the latter is re-routed around Markfield Drive in Flanderwell, which residents had campaigned for.

“It’s great news,” said Wickersley ward member Cllr Chris Read. “This is what we petitioned for and it means the bungalows there are back to a regular service.

“And the number 10 is making a return, running from Maltby to town via Rotherham Hospital once an hour. This is good news for Maltby, which had lost its direct bus, and credit goes to Cllr Richard Price who led their campaign.”

But the withdrawn 113 from Rotherham to Ravenfield is partially replaced by services 4 and 10, meaning Flanderwell and Sunnyside lose their direct hospital service \_ described as disappointing by Cllr Read.

Campaigner Michael Sylvester welcomed the decision not to reduce the 116 \_ from Rotherham to Ravenfield via Dalton and Thrybergh \_ to a half-hourly service.

Minor changes will be made on this route and the 115 serving East Herringthorpe with the aim of improving punctuality.

Mr Sylvester said: “The consultation was poorly promoted and, being online, excluded many older and poorer residents who rely more on buses.

“But thanks to a mad dash by local volunteers in Thrybergh and Dalton, we got at least some community responses. 

“I would particularly like to thank Thrybergh Parish Council who dealt with this as a matter of urgency and the Thrybergh Community noticeboard on Facebook.”

Mr Sylvester also welcomed a commitment to increasing capacity on the X78 by adding more double-deckers.

But there is concern about the loss of the 4 service for residents in bungalows at Dalton.