First enhances Sheffield network

Following customer feedback, First is making a number of changes to its services in Sheffield in an effort to create better links, improve punctuality and grow patronage. Bus routes from Stannington/Hall Park Head/High Green and Loxley have now been connected with Ecclesall Road. This will provide customers with a direct link to the recently reopened Moor Markets, a move thought to help increase passenger numbers, as well as benefit the local economy in terms of customer footfall and spending potential. The new routes will be renumbered across the city together with revised timetables. This will provide a bus every five minutes between Hillsborough and Ecclesall Road via the city centre. Ecclesall will be served by services 81 & 82, Greystones and Bents Green by service 84 and Millhouses by service 85. Between Hunters Bar and the city centre, buses will continue to run every five minutes. Another key change includes improving the 17 service, which currently serves Hillsborough, Meadowhall, Jordanthorpe, Chancet Wood and the city centre. It will be split and replaced by new services 19 (serving Chancet Wood) and 38 (Hillsborough, Meadowhall, Jordanthorpe), as well as by changes to the 35/36/37 services. The new service 19 (City Centre – Norton Lees – Chancet Wood) will replace part of service 17, with buses running every 30 minutes for most of the day on Mondays to Saturdays.