Sheffield Bus Service Failing the Vulnerable

The most complained about bus service in Sheffield is failing the vulnerable people that rely on its system.

The 51 bus service is being criticised by Crosspool residents online and in forum meetings for being unreliable and affecting the elderly and disabled.

Graham Moss, 58, who has lived in Crosspool for four years, said: “I have had to use the bus for the last two years due to a mobility issue caused by an accident.

“The bus service has been poor and unreliable so I have reduced my use. You can adjust your activities to fit in with the lack of buses, but it does make you late for medical and therapy appointments.”

First bus, which operates the service, is being condemned for being careless as a single provider and ignoring complaints and feedback on their app.

Elderly Crosspool residents have accused the 51 service of being poor because it runs through an area heavily populated by people who hold free senior bus passes, therefore making First less money.

Phillip Hall, 83, a resident at Kings Court development for retired people in Crosspool, said: “Although cynical, I think the reason the 51 service isn’t well run is because most of the people getting on it have a bus pass, whereas the 52 goes through Crookes which has lots of paying working people.

“There is an issue with the frequency and reliability of the buses and I have often had to walk to appointments before as buses haven’t turned up and doing this has left me breathless.”

Tim Huggan, 52, the newly elected Councillor for Crookes and Crosspool, has recently began a campaign to improve the 51 bus after receiving a large negative response to his survey on the service.

Coun Huggan said: “I want to give residents greater control over bus services in the city by introducing a London style bus contact ensuring it is the bus users who determine the service provided rather than the bus companies who benefit under Labour’s failed bus partnership.

“Hopefully my campaign as councillor will ensure everyone receives a better service.”