Story: Louise Johnson
The recently-introduced number 72 bus run by First may be withdrawn. The service runs once an hour from the City Centre to Shirecliffe and onto the ASDA store at Parson Cross. The bus is mostly used by students travelling to and from Parkwood Academy and shoppers accessing the supermarket by public transport.
A consultation reviewing bus services ended on the 14th of July. Sheffield Transport Executive (SYPTE) said the consultation had been run through the North East Community Assembly. A definite decision about the cancellation of the service has not yet been made. In August, the proposal will be taken to the Sheffield City Council Cabinet meeting and in September the final decision will be made by the Integrated Transport Authority.
A summer timetable for the 72 bus service is now available at www.firstgroup.com. If the 72 bus is withdrawn it will adversely affect students and parents as it is the only public bus that goes all the way through Burngreave to Parkwood Academy, providing a vital direct link to the school for people from the area.
Duncan McGraw, First’s public relations manager, said,
“We are reviewing our services so we can try and make them better and more efficient. Changes to services are being considered but no final decision has been made regarding the 72.”
Feedback can be left on the Sheffield bus partnership website http://www.sheffieldbuspartnership.co.uk/routes/72 or ring the SYPTE on 221 1452.