Sheffield Supertram & Tram Train news

[AY1975]

The next batch of rail replacement work has started today again in the Langsett Road area near Hillsborough. Trams are running Cathedral to Meadowhall, Cathedral to Halfway & normal on Tram Train & Purple.

2 replacements are running, one to Middlewood run by City Transport with a number of the ex First York/Aberdeen Mercedes Benz Citaro bendy buses & TM Travel to Malin Bridge

I guess it's pot luck whether you get a bendy bus or a TM Travel double decker, though.

 

[alex397]

I guess it's pot luck whether you get a bendy bus or a TM Travel double decker, though.

From what I’ve read, the YE1 service is entirely run by City Transport, except for Sundays (and presumably also Bank Holiday Monday) it appears City Transport do not run anything and it’s all TM Travel. I could be wrong!
It appears Littles and Notts & Derby will also be running.

Interestingly, the timetables of the BL1 and YE1 from TM Travel, Littles and Notts & Derby are all on bustimes.org, but not City Transport.

 

[py_megapixel]

City Transport and TM Travel both seem to be running today. City's fleet has certainly seen better days, especially the old, very loud Wrightbus which is running around with lots of mismatched body panels and a broken destination blind that just about manages to show half a Manchester Metrolink logo...

 

[alex397]

City Transport and TM Travel both seem to be running today. City's fleet has certainly seen better days, especially the old, very loud Wrightbus which is running around with lots of mismatched body panels and a broken destination blind that just about manages to show half a Manchester Metrolink logo...

I heard that Wrightbus before I saw it! Conversely, I found City’s bendybuses in good condition though. Destination blinds were good, including the Supertram logo. The smartly painted City-branded ones (I think there was at least 2 of those) also had next stop announcements, with the same audio files as those used on the Supertram! The bendy still in First Aberdeen colours did not have this though.

Travelling on the articulated buses reinforces my belief that the UK could do with more bendybuses, particularly on busy bus corridors in our large cities. They coped fine on my Sheffield visit, and the YE1 had some tight corners to navigate.

 

[JD2168]

City Transport and TM Travel both seem to be running today. City's fleet has certainly seen better days, especially the old, very loud Wrightbus which is running around with lots of mismatched body panels and a broken destination blind that just about manages to show half a Manchester Metrolink logo...

SN55 BPO Volvo B7TL Gemini ex Lothian 750, has also been with CT Plus is the one you are thinking of

 

[Hyebone]

Travelling on the articulated buses reinforces my belief that the UK could do with more bendybuses, particularly on busy bus corridors in our large cities. They coped fine on my Sheffield visit, and the YE1 had some tight corners to navigate.

Deckers do the same thing and are more maneuverable.

 

[geoffk]

Deckers do the same thing and are more maneuverable.

But deckers take much longer to load and unload and bus stop dwell times are already too long because of the UK system - single door buses and everyone having to do a transaction with the driver.

 

[zwk500]

But deckers take much longer to load and unload and bus stop dwell times are already too long because of the UK system - single door buses and everyone having to do a transaction with the driver.

It's perfeclty possible to have 2 or even 3 doors on a bus so that exiting is separated from those boarding, especially as most places are now tap-on-tap-off and once you've bought your ticket there's no further interaction with the driver needed.

 

[alex397]

Deckers do the same thing and are more maneuverable.

They don’t do exactly the same thing.
Double deckers certainly have their place, but on city work they are slower to load/unload, and are less accessible - only the limited number of seats on the lower deck can be accessed by those who cannot (or struggle to) go upstairs.
I don’t understand why more effort hasn’t been made to have articulated bus on busy routes in UK cities, especially as few have tram or metro networks.
It’s painfully slow when going on a bus in London or Manchester after visiting the continent where dwell time is generally much less.

 

[Man of Kent]

I don’t understand why more effort hasn’t been made to have articulated bus on busy routes in UK cities, especially as few have tram or metro networks.

Atrocious fuel consumption is one reason - around half that of a double deck.

 

[alex397]

Atrocious fuel consumption is one reason - around half that of a double deck.

This is true and worth pointing out. Though I think it’s worth it for the benefits they bring to certain routes.
It will be interesting to find out what the difference of consumption is between electric double-deck and electric articulated buses would be.

 

[eastwestdivide]

Atrocious fuel consumption is one reason - around half that of a double deck.

Why would that be? Vehicle weight per passenger? Upper deck is light compared to an additional axle+wheels?

 

[35B]

They don’t do exactly the same thing.
Double deckers certainly have their place, but on city work they are slower to load/unload, and are less accessible - only the limited number of seats on the lower deck can be accessed by those who cannot (or struggle to) go upstairs.
I don’t understand why more effort hasn’t been made to have articulated bus on busy routes in UK cities, especially as few have tram or metro networks.
It’s painfully slow when going on a bus in London or Manchester after visiting the continent where dwell time is generally much less.

I’d look back at news reports on the bendy buses in London 20 odd years ago. Many of the answers will be there

 

[alex397]

I’d look back at news reports on the bendy buses in London 20 odd years ago. Many of the answers will be there

And I’ll counteract that the fact that bendy buses operate perfectly fine on the continent.
The buses in London had issues with pipework in the engine which was later rectified. So it was issues with the engine, rather than the fact it was an articulated bus. Politicians then used this issue, as well as the issues with fare evasion, as an excuse to get rid of them completely at a whim, which was a huge waste of money considering some were still quite new.

 

[35B]

And I’ll counteract that the fact that bendy buses operate perfectly fine on the continent.
The buses in London had issues with pipework in the engine which was later rectified. So it was issues with the engine, rather than the fact it was an articulated bus. Politicians then used this issue, as well as the issues with fare evasion, as an excuse to get rid of them completely at a whim, which was a huge waste of money considering some were still quite new.

You asked why they hadn't taken off - I pointed to what happened 20 years ago. I make no observation on how valid that was, or whether the problems have been fully cured.

The reality is that the experience in London will affect the reaction to any plans to introduce them in the UK.

 

[Bryson]

Sheffield introduced Bendy buses in 1979 - They lasted until 1983.

Then more bendy busses were introduced in 1985 until 1999 but only on very limited routes (City Centre clipper route and City to Meadowhall) they never saw more typical usage because they were unsuited to the steep hills and tight junctions.

 

[JD2168]

Sheffield introduced Bendy buses in 1979 - They lasted until 1983.

Then more bendy busses were introduced in 1985 until 1999 but only on very limited routes (City Centre clipper route and City to Meadowhall) they never saw more typical usage because they were unsuited to the steep hills and tight junctions.

The Leyland DAB’s also saw use on 69 to Rotherham & X91 to Thurnscoe. They also saw use on school runs as I used them on a shuttle I had to use between school buildings during break times & they covered some tight corners on these

 

[43066]

And I’ll counteract that the fact that bendy buses operate perfectly fine on the continent.
The buses in London had issues with pipework in the engine which was later rectified. So it was issues with the engine, rather than the fact it was an articulated bus. Politicians then used this issue, as well as the issues with fare evasion, as an excuse to get rid of them completely at a whim, which was a huge waste of money considering some were still quite new.

They also had a poor safety record, particularly where cyclists were concerned, and weren’t at all well suited to the unusually dense street layout in London - other European cities have long straight boulevards.

The safety issue would be far worse now given how much cycling has exploded in the intervening years since they were withdrawn.

 

[alex397]

They also had a poor safety record, particularly where cyclists were concerned, and weren’t at all well suited to the unusually dense street layout in London - other European cities have long straight boulevards.

The safety issue would be far worse now given how much cycling has exploded in the intervening years since they were withdrawn.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 5 Jun 2025 ==

There is a lot of myth behind these statements. Even in cities with long straight boulevards, bendy buses can be found on narrow and tight medieval streets in continental Europe. Brussels for example. Streets no different than those in London, and perhaps even tighter. Many continental European towns and cities do not have wide straight boulevards at all, and can even be seen on ‘shared space’ type roads.
Bendy buses also operate in Amsterdam, a city with far my cycle usage than London. Many cities with bendy buses have greater cycle usage than London.

This article below shows the that bendy bus routes in London did pose more danger to pedestrians and cyclists than other bus types, on average. However, bendy buses mainly operated on busy inner city roads, whereas other bus types in London run in a variety of conditions, including quieter suburban streets which brings the average accident rate down for these types.
When comparing inner city bendy bus routes, and inner city rigid/double decker routes, the collision figures are about the same!
Deceitful politicians used these statistics to get their way, and wastefully dispose of nearly new articulated buses, and spend millions of taxpayers money designing a bespoke bus which wasn’t necessarily needed.


https://www.channel4.com/news/articles/society/environment/factcheck+are+bendy+buses+more+dangerous/1829747.html

(I’m trying to quote the article above but I’m having repeated technical issues!)

 

[ALEMASTER]

Area 5 of this years rail replacement programme commences on Monday 28 July (following the weekend of Tramlines music festival) with the line closed between Sheffield Station and Gleadless Townend until 15 August.

Purple route will be suspended and the Blue route will operate in two parts - Malin Bridge to Sheffield Station and Gleadless Townend to Halfway.

Replacement bus service BP1 will run between Fitzalan Square and Herdings Park up to every 15 minutes, operated by First bus.

Link to full information: https://www.travelsouthyorkshire.com/en-GB/supertram/manor-top-works-july-august-2025

 

[eastwestdivide]

Another progress update at the Magna tram stop from today, looking towards Sheffield from the front seat

 

[AY1975]

Consultation: Should dogs be allowed on Supertram?​

News - Travel South Yorkshire

Get departure times, plan a journey and find tickets and passes for bus, tram, train and tram train travel.

www.travelsouthyorkshire.com

Seems like there is a consultation about bringing dogs on board. Personally I don't really care, just as long as they don't bother me .

The three-month dogs on trams trial was due to finish towards the end of June but I haven't heard any news yet about whether they have decided to allow them permanently.

 

[generalnerd]

The three-month dogs on trams trial was due to finish towards the end of June but I haven't heard any news yet about whether they have decided to allow them permanently.

I think it’s a case of no news is good news, although maybe not if you don’t like dogs, but i will guess that it will go ahead as I’m sure allowing dogs would encourage more passengers

 

[Bodiam]

The thread on using ENCTS passes on trams is locked, otherwise I'd post there. In 2016 we were in Sheffield and my pass was accepted during the day. However, after visiting friends we got the tram back and my pass was rejected - apparently ENTCS passes weren't valid after 22:00. Can I ask whether that's still the case, and what the reason was? To discourage old fogies like me from gallivanting about Sheffield at night?

 

[ALEMASTER]

The thread on using ENCTS passes on trams is locked, otherwise I'd post there. In 2016 we were in Sheffield and my pass was accepted during the day. However, after visiting friends we got the tram back and my pass was rejected - apparently ENTCS passes weren't valid after 22:00. Can I ask whether that's still the case, and what the reason was? To discourage old fogies like me from gallivanting about Sheffield at night?

Its as per the national conditions of the ENCTS scheme - valid 0930-2300 Mon to Fri, any time weekends.

Free Senior bus pass - Travel South Yorkshire

Apply for a free senior bus pass on first issue to help you travel around South Yorkshire for free

www.travelsouthyorkshire.com

 

[Bodiam]

Its as per the national conditions of the ENCTS scheme - valid 0930-2300 Mon to Fri, any time weekends.

Free Senior bus pass - Travel South Yorkshire

Apply for a free senior bus pass on first issue to help you travel around South Yorkshire for free

www.travelsouthyorkshire.com

Thanks - out here in rural Kent we don't have any buses after about 6 in the evening and precious few any other time, so I hadn't encountered that restriction before.

 

[pokemonsuper9]

Another progress update at the Magna tram stop from today, looking towards Sheffield from the front seat

View attachment 184185

Does anyone know if Magna is still on track for opening "this Winter"?

 

[ALEMASTER]

Does anyone know if Magna is still on track for opening "this Winter"?

The footbridge appeared as scheduled the weekend before last so it looks like all is going to plan so far.

 

[Snow1964]

South Yorkshire Combined Authority has issued a Market Engagement Notice for £116m of trams to be delivered July 2027 to Jan 2031

A Tender Notice​

by SOUTH YORKSHIRE MAYORAL COMBINED AUTHORITY​

Source Find a Tender
Type Contract (Goods)
Duration 3.5 year
Value £0-£116M
Sector TRANSPORT
Published 17 Sep 2025
Delivery 01 Jul 2027 to 31 Jan 2031
Deadline n/a

1 buyer​

• South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority Sheffield

Description​

This market test is published by the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, (SYMCA). Further information about the Authority can be found on our website at www.southyorkshire-ca.gov.uk

CPV Codes​

• 34600000 - Railway and tramway locomotives and rolling stock and associated parts

Other Information​

The soft market testing exercise is intended to allow interested organisations with appropriate experience to outline their views and ideas about the replacement and supply of the Light Rail Tram Fleet currently in operation. Further information and full details relating to this notice can be found via https://procontract.due-north.com/. ** PREVIEW NOTICE, please check Find a Tender for full details. ** Expression of interest date change to 27 October 2025.

https://bidstats.uk/tenders/2025/W38/854786311

 

[D365]

South Yorkshire Combined Authority has issued a Market Engagement Notice for £116m of trams to be delivered July 2027 to Jan 2031

https://bidstats.uk/tenders/2025/W38/854786311

If the contract value ranges from £0 to £116m… does that mean that no trams could be delivered?!

(I’m very much being facetious)