Proposals to optimise Doncaster’s bus network will go to public consultation this week, as authorities look to progress the public transport aims proposed in Sheffield City Region’s (SCR) Devolution Deal.

The proposed bus network will play a key role in developing local transport to better meet the needs of the growing economy and customers by providing a more coordinated, more efficient and better integrated network.  

The utilisation of services also aims to improve access to employment and training sites and trains and other bus routes, whilst ensuring that the bus offer is financially sustainable for fare payers, the taxpayer and bus operators.

Plans for the town’s optimised bus network build on the success of the Sheffield and Rotherham Bus Partnerships, which have seen up to 10% increases in adult fare paying customers.

The Doncaster Bus Partnership will bring together local bus operators First South Yorkshire, Stagecoach Yorkshire, Stagecoach East Midlands and Arriva Yorkshire with Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council (DMBC) and South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (SYPTE).

Public consultation on Doncaster’s planned bus route changes will take place between Monday 9 November and Friday 18 December 2015 online at travelsouthyorkshire.com/dbp.  Paper feedback forms will be available from Customer Service Desks at Doncaster, Barnsley, Adwick, Rotherham, Meadowhall, and Sheffield Interchanges for those without access to the internet.  Copies will also be available from Doncaster Council’s Civic Office reception.  Consultation drop-in sessions with Doncaster Bus Partnership representatives will take place at:

• Victoria Hall, Hatfield, 23 November from 3 – 6pm
• Doncaster Interchange, in the town centre, 24 November from 3 – 6pm
• Askern Community Library, 25 November 11am – 2pm
• Doncaster Interchange, 26 November from 8 – 10.30am
• Bentley Area Community Library, 26 November from 3 – 6pm
• The Ivanhoe Centre, Conisborough, 27 November from 3 – 6pm
• Thorne Library, 30 November from 10am – 1pm
• Intake Community Centre, 30 November from 3.30 – 6.30pm
• Carcroft and Skellow Community Welfare Association, 01 December from 3 – 6pm
• Dunsville Community Centre, 04 December from 3 – 6pm
• Balby Community Library, 07 December from 2 – 5pm
• Armthorpe Community Centre, 08 December from 3 – 6pm
• Doncaster Council Civic Building, Watergate, 09 December from 2 – 5pm
• Rossington Miners Welfare, 10 December from 3 – 6pm

Feedback will be used to inform decision making on the proposed bus service changes, which are expected to be implemented in May 2016.

Councillor Joe Blackham, Portfolio Holder for Regeneration and Transportation at Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council and Chairman of the SCR Transport Committee, said: “We are committed to improving public transport in our region.  The Doncaster Bus Partnership scheme allows us to boost economic growth by providing an improved bus service offer that better meets customer needs and supports access to employment, training and leisure, offering a viable alternative to the car, whilst reducing congestion and improving air quality.

“By using the established relationships between the public sector and commercial bus operators to negotiate and optimize a network that is coordinated, efficient and affordable, we will be able to demonstrate our commitment to improve public transport in our region.”

For more information visit travelsouthyorkshire.com/dbp