One of the key Stocksbridge Town Deal projects will take another step forward this month after calls for for "expressions of interest" from local operators to run a brand new community hopper bus service in the town.
The Stocksbridge Town Deal Board put a call out last month to local transport operators who would be interested in running the new grant funded hopper bus service for the local community.
Members of the Town Deal Board want to see the local service up and running as soon as possible - benefiting the community and improving access for residents to services, shops, and facilities in the town, as well as linking with the wider transport network.
The project is being funded through a capital grant from the Stocksbridge Town Deal. Expressions of Interest have been sought from operators who can deliver the Board’s aspirations through an injection of grant funding which will support the new hopper buses.
It is hoped that the successful transport partner will be in a position to launch the new local service by the summer.
Co-chair of the Stocksbridge Towns Fund Board, Miriam Cates MP, said: “A new local bus service connecting different parts of Stocksbridge is key to our Town Deal plans and something that we know that residents are very keen to see for the town.
“The new hopper buses are going to make a huge difference to so many people in the town and we are really looking forward to getting this important service on the road.”
The Town Deal team has worked closely with colleagues from the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority to ensure that passengers can benefit from the concessionary fare scheme when they use the new service.
The new hopper bus service is one of the projects being delivered through the Town Deal investment in Stocksbridge. Local engagement has demonstrated a high level of support for the project with local residents identifying the areas in the town where they would like to see the service operate.
To find out more about the hopper bus project visit the project page on the website Buses for Stocksbridge (welcometostocksbridge.co.uk)
Photograph shows Miriam Cates MP, Co-Chair of the Stocksbridge Towns Fund Board and Board Champion for the Hopper Bus Project.