Arriva have informed South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) that they will be cancelling service 51 (and school service 651), which runs between Doncaster and Askern/Norton, with effect from Sunday 22 June 2025.
I met with representatives from SYMCA last week and I am pleased that they have made a decision to fund the extension of First South Yorkshire services 361 and 362, which will cover some of the 51 route, and will reduce the impact this service cancellation will have on the local community.
The new routes will serve Skellow, Burghwallis, Campsall and Norton that would otherwise be unserved with the loss of the Arriva network. School service 651 (a variation to the 51) will be replaced by the 451 school service on a like for like basis. The new services should hopefully remedy any disruption caused by Arriva’s decision to withdraw their service.
SYMCA will also continue to fund journeys on service 51 in the evenings on Monday to Saturday and all-day Sunday. For more information, please see the Travel South Yorkshire website here: travelsouthyorkshire.com/servicechanges
Although I am pleased that the withdrawal of the Arriva service has been mitigated by the extension of the First service, I know that this route still doesn’t serve parts of Norton and Campsall and I will continue to campaign on this issue.
Bus companies in South Yorkshire are currently free to decide where and when they will run services and unfortunately SYMCA is unable to prevent commercial operators from withdrawing service.
One consistent message I hear from my constituents is that our current bus network across Doncaster North is not fit for purpose, and for too long private bus operators have decided on routes, timetables, and fare prices. I know that our bus services in Doncaster are a focus for South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard, which is why I will continue to work with SYMCA to fight for the future of our buses.
If you would like to contact me about buses in Doncaster North, please write to me at ed.miliband.mp@parliament.uk.