Buses on a popular South Yorkshire route which attracts thousands of shoppers and commuters every day are to get a new look as part of a major relaunch. Leading bus operator Stagecoach Yorkshire has created a special green and yellow logo for the Circle services 108 and 109, which link Rotherham to Rawmarsh via Parkgate Shopping centre.

The new livery will be unveiled by the Mayor of Rotherham, Coun. Shaukat Ali, at a ceremony on Thursday, November 19th at the Parkgate Shopping centre.

In 2006, Stagecoach invested £1 million in ten new buses for the 108 and 109 and introduced a ten minute frequency (five minute when the two services combine between Rawmarsh Hill, Parkgate and Rotherham).

Over the last three years passenger numbers have increased by nearly 50 per cent, the equivalent of an extra 10,000 journeys every week. New evening and Sunday journeys were also introduced earlier this year and each route now runs seven days a week and up to 19 hours a day.

Weekly and daily ticket prices on the routes are cheaper now than they were in 2006 – a seven-day megarider giving unlimited travel and including the Dearne Valley area is £10.50 compared to £12, and a day rider offering unlimited travel including the Dearne Valley £3.70 compared to £4.

The relaunch event will be held at Parkgate Shopping centre from 10.30am to 3.30pm, with the unveiling by the Mayor at 1pm. Stagecoach Yorkshire staff will also be handing out goody bags, service information and timetables. Stagecoach has also teamed up with Greggs to provide a free mince pie for every customer with a Stagecoach bus ticket.

Paul Lynch, Stagecoach Yorkshire managing director, said: “The Circle is an extremely popular route used by a wide range of passengers for shopping, visiting friends and family and commuting. It is important, therefore, that the 108 and 109 services are convenient and comfortable and that buses running along these routes are all low-floor, easy access vehicles, which is a great help for passengers carrying heavy shopping or pushing a buggy. It is one of the busiest routes in South Yorkshire and we take pride in serving the community by adopting the highest possible standards of public transport.”

Thanks,
Staff at South Yorkshire Transport