A proposal made by Sheffield Green Councillors in 2019 to “re-introduce the FreeBee bus service, with a low emission, circulating bus in the city centre;” was launched today as Sheffield Connect.
The Green Group on Sheffield City Council made the proposals as part of their 2019 Budget Amendment. Sadly, this was voted down by Labour at the time when they had a majority on the Council.
Councillor Brian Holmshaw, Broomhall and Sharrow Vale Councillor said,
“We are really pleased that the Free Bus Service around the City Centre, now rebranded Sheffield Connect has been launched. It will be completely free from Monday 8th April and will be a low emission, electric bus service.
“When we originally proposed this back in March 2019. It was opposed by the Sheffield Labour Group, but we have continued to press for its reintroduction. Now that Labour no longer has a majority on the Council it is much easier to get good ideas, like this one progressed.”
Councillor Ruth Mersereau, City Ward Councillor said.
“This bus service will make it easier for people to get around the City Centre. It provides a link between Sheffield Station and key parts of the City at no cost to passengers. This will help make the city more accessible to people who don’t own a car or who would prefer not to use one for City Centre journeys. It is good for the environment, for local businesses and for people’s pockets. The service is also a good way to connect to other buses. The increased frequency will help with those connections, making overall journey times shorter.”
Sheffield Connect service details
Sheffield Connect has two routes. The existing city centre loop (renamed SC1) will use 3 new EV buses at an enhanced service frequency (of 7-8 mins Monday – Saturday, every 10 mins Sunday) and also extended hours of operation from 7am-7pm Mon-Sat and Sunday 9.30am-4pm. The route is Sheffield, Interchange – Fitzalan Square – High Street – Leopold Street/Orchard Lane – City Hall – West Street – Carver Street – Rockingham Street – Cumberland Street/Moor Market – Eyre Street – Paternoster Row/Sheffield Station – Sheffield, Interchange.
There will be trial of a second City Connect route (service SC2). It will be a circular route going almost to Shalesmoor/Kelham Island. It will use a new EV bus at a 20-min frequency, also operating between 7am -7pm Mon-Sat and Sunday 9.30am-4pm. There will be a second circular route launched on 8th April, to go between Sheffield Interchange, The Moor, Arundel Gate, Bridge Street (West Bar) and Haymarket. This route will operate up to every 20 minutes Monday to Saturday daytimes.
