First South Yorkshire: General Discussion

[G760XRE]

Noted pulling into First Potteries AG this morning was Volvo B7RLE 69439 WX59BYR in purple livery. Behind it was Street deck 35271 SL67VWX in Leeds City green livery. Presumably the latter is here to be painted ahead of transfer to FSY? Is 69439 here for the same, or onward transfer?

 

[dodecahedron67]

Both for paint before return to OG I believe

 

[JD2168]

First Doncaster B9TL Gemini 36277 has been launched today in a vivid Doncaster Pride livery.

 

[AlexE]

Noted pulling into First Potteries AG this morning was Volvo B7RLE 69439 WX59BYR in purple livery. Behind it was Street deck 35271 SL67VWX in Leeds City green livery. Presumably the latter is here to be painted ahead of transfer to FSY? Is 69439 here for the same, or onward transfer?

Both in for repainting for Olive Grove alongside former Bee Network B7RLEs.

 

[syjunkie]

63401 and 63405 are moving to olive grove with a stop at Leicester, the eclipse and solent kites that were on top park are now on the move down south

 

[JD2168]

First B7RLE Eclipse 69461 has moved from Olive Grove to Doncaster.

First B7RLE Eclipse 69439 has returned from paint in all over pink.

 

[G760XRE]

Called at First Potteries AG depot yesterday. 3 of the Ex First Portsmouth Streetlites were present - 63406/7/16. Joining the paint queue maybe, prior to heading to FSY?
Picture of 63416 here (I couldn't get a clear shot of the other 2)

Adderley Green Depot lineup

In storage at Potteries AG depot for (possibly) painting & onward transfer; E200 44581 YX13BNN E200 44577 YX13BNF E200 44578 YX13BNJ B7RLE 69506 BJ11XHY Streetlite 63416 SV22VWW 22.6.24

flickr.com

One of the Volvo B7RLEs Ex First Bee Network Manchester, 69510 has also emerged from the paint shop in the new Firstgroup livery. Imagine this will head over soon. Can be seen in the background of this picture

Adderley Green Depot

First Potteries E200MMCs 67143 YY16YLP 67155 YX66WFN 67144 YY16YLR In the background can be seen B7RLE 69510 BJ11EBU, freshly painted into the new First corporate livery

flickr.com

All Photos are mine.

 

[dodecahedron67]

Called at First Potteries AG depot yesterday. 3 of the Ex First Portsmouth Streetlites were present - 63406/7/16. Joining the paint queue maybe, prior to heading to FSY?
Picture of 63416 here (I couldn't get a clear shot of the other 2)

Adderley Green Depot lineup

In storage at Potteries AG depot for (possibly) painting & onward transfer; E200 44581 YX13BNN E200 44577 YX13BNF E200 44578 YX13BNJ B7RLE 69506 BJ11XHY Streetlite 63416 SV22VWW 22.6.24

flickr.com

One of the Volvo B7RLEs Ex First Bee Network Manchester, 69510 has also emerged from the paint shop in the new Firstgroup livery. Imagine this will head over soon. Can be seen in the background of this picture

Adderley Green Depot

First Potteries E200MMCs 67143 YY16YLP 67155 YX66WFN 67144 YY16YLR In the background can be seen B7RLE 69510 BJ11EBU, freshly painted into the new First corporate livery

flickr.com

All Photos are mine.

63406/7/16 all to be painted then for Sheffield. Huddersfield getting 63412 instead of 63416

 

[JD2168]

Ex Eclipse & Bee Network B7RLE Eclipse 69537 in service today on 81/82 in Sheffield in new livery.

Ex Bee Network B7RLE Eclipse 69507 now in service in new livery in Sheffield today.

 

[G760XRE]

Further ex eclipse Streetlites noted on site at Adderley Green on 28.6.24 were 63409/10/11. Couldn't see 63406 outside, so that is possibly being repainted now.

 

[JD2168]

Ex Bee Network Eclipses in new livery in service are 69506 & 69510

 

[Pit_buzzer]

The last Enviro 400s left First South Yorkshire today which got me thinking. is this the first time in 48 years that First South Yorkshire /Mainline /SYPTE have not had a Dennis in the fleet? (counting Domiator prototype SHE722S as the first) And, the first time there hasn't been an Alexander body in the fleet and it's constituents in getting on for 70 years( thinking Sheffield Regent Vs)

 

[M60lad]

As a result of the E400s leaving South Yorkshire it seems that varied vehicle types are creeping onto 120 to Crystal Peaks. When I was over in South Yorkshire on Tuesday I even noticed a Streetlite on 120s.

Was there an actual reason why 120 was virtually always operated with E400s and also why did they very rarely stray onto other routes?

 

[ALEMASTER]

As a result of the E400s leaving South Yorkshire it seems that varied vehicle types are creeping onto 120 to Crystal Peaks. When I was over in South Yorkshire on Tuesday I even noticed a Streetlite on 120s.

Was there an actual reason why 120 was virtually always operated with E400s and also why did they very rarely stray onto other routes?

Under the Sheffield Bus Partnership there were some key routes jointly operated by First and Stagecoach that were designed as Quality Corridors. SYPTE (as was) got funding to improve bus stops along the route including real time departure screens and accessible pavements whilst both operators invested in similar new buses. On the 120 it was ADL Enviro400 (with Stagecoach getting the hybrid version) whilst on the 1/1a it was Wright Streetlites. On the 52/52a and 120 they also had next stop announcement equipment fitted as a trial.

 

[JD2168]

All below at Olive Grove in service:

Ex Bee Network B7RLE’s 69511 & 69539 with full branding.

Ex Eclipse Streetlite 63406.

StreetDeck 35269 is now in service.

B9TL Gemini’s 36221, 36222, 36223, 35224 off at Doncaster awaiting transfer to Kernow.

 

[TC60054]

Under the Sheffield Bus Partnership there were some key routes jointly operated by First and Stagecoach that were designed as Quality Corridors. SYPTE (as was) got funding to improve bus stops along the route including real time departure screens and accessible pavements whilst both operators invested in similar new buses. On the 120 it was ADL Enviro400 (with Stagecoach getting the hybrid version) whilst on the 1/1a it was Wright Streetlites. On the 52/52a and 120 they also had next stop announcement equipment fitted as a trial.

Not everything stated here is correct.

The hybrid Streetlites/Streetdecks for the 1, 1a and 56 (as was) were funded by Buses for Sheffield.
The 120 has not had specific buses bought for it since the Hybrid E400s arrived for Stagecoach in 2011. The First Enviros came via the 2014 Commonwealth Games and were initially dedicated to routes 51 and 95 - they were switched over to the 120 later because of the similarities to the Stagecoach ones.
The 62 plates at Stagecoach and the 14 plates at First (plus a handful of Geminis as backup) then received the trial audio and visual announcements and were dedicated for the 120 - which is why they didn't really stray off route that much.

The other issue with the Enviro400s why they didn't really stray off 120s, at least more recently, is down to not every route being cleared for them - a number of school routes, and the 272, couldn't take them for various reasons.

 

[py_megapixel]

On the 52/52a and 120 they also had next stop announcement equipment fitted as a trial.

The 62 plates at Stagecoach and the 14 plates at First (plus a handful of Geminis as backup) then received the trial audio and visual announcements and were dedicated for the 120 - which is why they didn't really stray off route that much.

The auto announcements rarely worked anyway. This tradition is being continued with Stagecoach's new E400MMCs and First's cascaded Streetdecks: both are fitted with information displays that almost never show anything besides the date and time - and in First's case, "Leeds City".
I have to say it's a bit embarrassing, when London, much of continental Europe and indeed several other UK bus operations have had this equipment everywhere for years, that in Sheffield we can't even get it working for one route.

 

[M60lad]

In what way couldn't School Routes and 272 take the E400s? Also what other routes were they not cleared for and why?

 

[dodecahedron67]

272 is height on the railway bridge by Hathersage

 

[py_megapixel]

272 is height on the railway bridge by Hathersage

Hulleys sometimes put E400s on the 272. Or are those a reduced height version?

 

[ALEMASTER]

The auto announcements rarely worked anyway. This tradition is being continued with Stagecoach's new E400MMCs and First's cascaded Streetdecks: both are fitted with information displays that almost never show anything besides the date and time - and in First's case, "Leeds City".
I have to say it's a bit embarrassing, when London, much of continental Europe and indeed several other UK bus operations have had this equipment everywhere for years, that in Sheffield we can't even get it working for one route.

It was a non-standard third party system provided to both operators jointly running the service under the bus partnership as a trial which some charity or project had funded I think.

On newer Stagecoach buses that have their own system fitted the only route in Sheffield that worked was the 25 Bradway-Woodhouse with the E200MMCs that were ordered specifically for that route, they have since been moved on to Chesterfield. The E400MMCs that were ordered for the 52 and 120 also appear on the 25 from time to time, however it appears the route files haven't been uploaded to the buses so the display just shows the date and time.


-------------------------------------------------------

First have now published their network/timetable changes taking place in South Yorkshire this September. There have been some tweaks following the consultation. https://www.firstbus.co.uk/south-yo...e-updates/updates/september-service-changes-1

 

[TC60054]

272 is height on the railway bridge by Hathersage

The problem bridge is the railway bridge to the cement works in Hope. Hathersage is 14'6".

Hope is technically an arch bridge, signed as an advisory 14'3" - it's been measured to be 14'5" on the inbound side but 15' on the outbound (towards Castleton) which is why we only allow Geminis through there - Geminis are 14'5", the other deckers in our fleet are 14'6" hence why they're officially not allowed.

Companies have different policies on what can and can't work - Hulleys clearly don't have an issue sending their 14'6" E400s through the bridge (as long as you remember to move over!), whilst Stagecoach won't send their 14'5" deckers under on the Peak Sightseer.

 

[py_megapixel]

Is anything going to be done about the Bus Stopping lights on the older Volvos? Most of them don't work, or else they are so dim that you can barely tell they're lit, which isn't ideal. My assumption was that this is a fairly routine thing to sort by just changing the bulbs behind them, but this doesn't seem to have been done, even on the ones that have otherwise been done up inside with the new striped seat covers etc., so maybe not

 

[G760XRE]

Mainline liveried Volvo B9TL 36261 is currently at First Potteries Adderley Green depot. Presumably for a repaint into corporate First livery?

First Potteries Depot 2.8.24

First South Yorkshire vehicles here for repaint. Streetlites 63410-2 SV22VWO/P/R Volvo B9TL 36261 BG12YJT

www.flickr.com

 

[JD2168]

Streetlite 63407 is now in service from Olive Grove without branding.

Ex Leicester StreetDeck 35181 is a recent arrival at Olive Grove.

Mainline liveried Volvo B9TL 36261 is currently at First Potteries Adderley Green depot. Presumably for a repaint into corporate First livery?

First Potteries Depot 2.8.24

First South Yorkshire vehicles here for repaint. Streetlites 63410-2 SV22VWO/P/R Volvo B9TL 36261 BG12YJT

www.flickr.com

Shame for this livery to be repainted, not long since the branding was fully finished. I would have thought an Olympia livery version or another ex Leeds StreetDeck from Olive Grove would have gone for paint before this.

 

[YorkRailFan]

There are upcoming service changes at First South Yorkshire from 1 September.

September service changes

From 1 September, we will be introducing several service changes across South Yorkshire - increasing reliability and connecting more areas across the region.

www.firstbus.co.uk

Sheffield:

Sheffield changes:
Service number Route Changes
1 - replaced by service 75High Green - City Centre
First Bus will no longer operate the 1 service. During the evening and all-day Sunday's.

Service 75 will operate to High Green on an hourly service during the evenings and every 30 minutes during the day on Sunday.

1a - replaced by services 47/48/75/76Chapeltown - Herdings
Service 1a will no longer operate. Herdings - City will be replaced by new services 47 and 48.

City to Firth Park will be served by new services 47/48 and 75/76.

Ecclesfield and Chapeltown will be replaced with service 75.

8/8a Ecclesfield - Birley
One bus per hour will operate to Dyke Vale Road, instead of Birley Tram stop. Both routes will continue to operate every 30 minutes between Ecclesfield and Thornbridge Drive.

Sunday daytime service on service 8 will be increased to operate hourly.

11 - replaced by service 47/48City Centre - Herdings
Service 11 will no longer operate. Herdings will now be served by 47/48.

All journeys on services 47/48 will operate via East Bank Rd.

Heeley Green will be served by services 18 and 252 (TM Travel service) - providing a co-ordinated 15-minute service.

During the evenings and all-day Sunday, service 73 will be re-routed to serve Heeley, providing a co-ordinated hourly service with the18a.

18/18aSheffield - Norton Lees - Manor Top - Meadowhall - Hillsborough
Service 18 will be increased in frequency to operate every 30 mins between City, Heeley Green and Norton Lees.

Between Meadowhall and Firth Park Margate Drive will no longer be served.

Service 18a will continue to serve Margate Drive and a revised timetable will be introduced to provide a combined hourly service between City and Heeley Green, during the evenings and all-day Sunday.

Service 41 - replaced by new service 73

Dyke Vale Rd - Sheffield Circular
Service 41 will no longer operate. Dyke Vale Rd will be served by new service 8a.

Eastern Ave will be served by the new service 70 (TM Travel service), and revised route during evenings and Sundays on First Bus service 73.

*New service 47/48Shiregreen - Herdings Circular via City Centre
These new services will operate from Shiregreen, serving Gregg House Rd, Hartley Brook Rd and Sicey Ave - via Firth Park, Firth Park Rd, Firvale, Burngreave, City Centre East Bank Rd, Newfield Green, Hemsworth and Herdings.

From Newfield Green service 47 will operate via Gleadless Rd, Leighton Rd, Raeburn Rd, Constable Rd, and Blackstock Rd.

Service 48 will operate in the opposite direction via Blackstock Rd, Constable Rd, Raeburn Rd, Leighton Rd, Gleadless Rd.

The combined frequency will be every 10 minutes during the daytime.

51 Lodge Moor - CharnockA new timetable will be introduced, including an earlier departure from Charnock at 0500.
52aWoodhouse - LoxleyNew timetable to be introduced, including a Sunday daytime service for Wisewood and Loxley.
56Nether Edge - Wybourn
During the daytime (Mon-Sat), buses will be extended from Wybourn to Manor Park, serving Manor Park Crescent.

In Wybourn, buses will continue to operate the one-way loop.

73 - largely replaced by service 70 and 95Rotherham - Sheffield City Centre via Treeton
Monday - Saturday daytime journeys will be withdrawn and will be replaced by service 70 (operated by TM Travel) and 95.

Remaining Mon-Sat, late evening and Sunday journeys will operate via Heeley Green and Arbourthorne, between Sheffield and Manor Top.

75
Jordanthorpe - City - Chapeltown via Woodseats and Firth Park

Between Batemoor and the City Centre, the route will remain unchanged.

In North Sheffield, this service will be revised to operate via Rock Street, Pitsmoor, Firvale, Northern General Hospital, Hucklow Rd, Bellhouse Rd and Hartley Brook Road.

Buses will split to operate via Ecclesfield Village to Chapeltown.

75aJordanthorpe - City - Foxhill via Woodseats and Firth Park
Service 75a will operate via Lindsey Ave, Bucannon Rd, Parson Cross Asda, Cowper Ave to Foxhill.

During the daytime (Mon-Fri, services will be every 15 mins (every 30 mins to Chapeltown and every 30 mins to Foxhill)

76/76aLowedges - City - Meadowhall via Firth Park
Service 76/76a will replace the 95/95a service between City, Firth Park, Wincobank and Meadowhall.

76eLowedges - City - Meadowhall via Woodseats - Firth Park
Service 76e will operate via Sandstone Rd and Fife Street, serving all of Wincobank every hour.

*This service will operate in the evenings only.

81/82Stannington - Dore / Hall Park Head - Millhouses)
Service 81: A new timetable will be introduced to provide a regular combined 15 min service.

Service 82 will be revised to serve Greystones, from Ecclesall Rd South, buses will run via Greystones Rd, High Storrs School, Hoober Ave, Knowle Ave, returning via Dobcroft Rd, Bents Green and Greystones Rd.

95(Walkley - Meadowhall via Sheffield Interchange)
The service will operate between Walkley, City Centre, Parkway Markets, Handsworth, Waverley, Treeton, Catcliffe, Brinsworth, Canklow and Rotherham - partly replacing services 73 and X54.

95/95s/95b/95a
New services

95: Walkley - Rotherham via Sheffield - Treeton

95s: Walkley - Rotherham via Sheffield City Centre - Treeton

95b: Walkley - Crystal Peaks via Sheffield centre

95a: Walkley - Crystal Peaks via Sheffield City Centre - Aston

95a/95b Services will run from Walkley to Arundel gate in Sheffield City Centre via Commonside, and University of Sheffield.

From City Centre, buses will continue to Crystal Peaks, running via Sheffield Parkway, Asda in Handsworth, Richmond Park Rd.

95a will continue via Orgreave, Swallownest, Aston and Beighton to Crystal Peaks

95b will continue via Woodhouse Village, Beighton to Crystal Peaks - both services will operate approx. hourly.

Service 97/98Hillsborough - Totley/Totley Brook
A new timetable will be introduced. Mon-Fri early morning AM peak time journey will stay from Netherthorpe, Brook Hill and run via Commonside, Walkley, Walkley Lane to Hillsborough, before continuing onto Totley/Totley Brook.

Some Monday to Friday PM peak early evening journeys will terminate at Hillsborough, continuing via Walkley Lane, Walkley, Commonside and terminate at Nethethorpe Brook Hill.

120/120KHalfway-Fullwood - Fulwood - Crystal Peaks/KillamarshA new timetable will be introduced to provide a better coordination with Stagecoach 120 services.
655School service Woodhouse and AstonThis service will now be operated by Keats Travel.

Rotherham:

Rotherham changes:
Service Number Route Changes
115/116Rotherham - East HerringthorpeA new timetable will be introduced to improve punctuality.
139/142(Rotherham - Kimberworth Park Circular)A new timetable will be introduced, including some additional Saturday evening journeys.
X5Sheffield - Dinnington
A new timetable introduced on a Saturday.

The new service 95a will provide additional capacity between Sheffield, Handsworth, Orgreave, Swallownest and Aston - additionally serving Worksop Rd, Aughton Lane, Mason Ave, and Wesley Ave in Aston.

207/208 *Partly replacing services 608 and 73Sheffield - Whiston/Brinsworth
All journeys will operate as service 207, with most journeys running from Worry Goose Island via Rotherham Hospital to Rotherham.

During school time journeys, the service will serve Whiston village, partly replacing service 608 (previously operated by Keats).

Howarth Rd will be served in Brinsworth, partly replacing service 73.

*208 number will no longer exist, as these journeys will run as 207 only.

601 - new school service Thomas Rotherham CollegeA new 601 service will be introduced between Maltby and Rotherham, running via the X1 route from the Queen's Hotel to Brecks, before continuing to Rotherham via Moorgate Rd, serving Thomas Rotherham College.
X1/X2Sheffield / Meadowhall / Rotherham / Maltby / DoncasterA new timetable to improve punctuality.

Doncaster:

Doncaster changes
Service Number Route Changes
315Doncaster - Edlington CircularA new timetable will be introduced to improve punctuality.
X3Doncaster - Sheffield
A new timetable will be introduced to improve punctuality.

316Balby - Doncaster
A new timetable will be introduced. The Mon-Fri journey from Balby - Doncaster at 0820, will replaced by a new journey on service X2.

341/341aDoncaster - Scawsby CircularA revised timetable will be introduced to provide better co-ordination with Stagecoach service X19.
350/351/352Doncaster - Skellow/Doncaster - Carcroft Minor changes will be made to Sunday journeys to improve punctuality.
358Doncaster West BessacarA new timetable will be introduced to improve punctuality
364/364aDoncaster - Arksey CircularA new timetable will be introduced to improve punctuality.
365Doncaster - Wheatley HillsA new timetable will be introduced to improve punctuality
371/372/373Doncaster - Balby via HexthorpeA new timetable will be introduced to improve punctuality.
384/384aDoncaster - ThorneA new timetable will be introduced to improve punctuality
387/387a/388Doncaster - MoorendsA new timetable to be introduced to improve punctuality
552 Sir Thomas Wharton SchoolWe will operate a morning journey between Woodfield and Sir Thomas Wharton School in Edlington.

Quite a few big changes in Sheffield with some minor adjustments in Doncaster.

 

[Mollman]

There are upcoming service changes at First South Yorkshire from 1 September.

September service changes

From 1 September, we will be introducing several service changes across South Yorkshire - increasing reliability and connecting more areas across the region.

www.firstbus.co.uk

Sheffield:

Rotherham:

Doncaster:

Quite a few big changes in Sheffield with some minor adjustments in Doncaster.

Frustrating that other bits of First at least provide a map if not the full timetable leaflet to show where new and revised routes go.

 

[G760XRE]

Noticed B7RLE 69464 at First Potteries Adderley Green depot today, with several new bare metal panels. So imagine this will soon be receiving a repaint out of Olympia. Surprised they're repainting 15 year old single decker buses. Unless this is going to be a trainer?

 

[cnjb8]

Noticed B7RLE 69464 at First Potteries Adderley Green depot today, with several new bare metal panels. So imagine this will soon be receiving a repaint out of Olympia. Surprised they're repainting 15 year old single decker buses. Unless this is going to be a trainer?

Bradford have repainted B7s of the same age and Glasgow have two B9s repainted from 2007 so it's possible it could end up in the new livery

 

[Mugby]

Does the new corporate livery, purple and pale grey, mean that the Sheffield dark blue/light blue/cream colours and the Doncaster's Red Buses identity will be phased out now?