Beginning this week South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (SYPTE) is holding a series of consultation events to set out its vision of an improved bus network in Doncaster with better buses, a simplified fare structure and cross-town connections.

For years the amount of people using buses in Doncaster has been steadily declining and car use rising. In a bid to turn around this decline in patronage SYPTE has designed wholesale changes to the bus network, with accessible, environmentally friendly buses and real-time information at stops.

It has been working for some time to develop these plans and beginning this week will be consulting the public about its views on these proposals.

Members of SYPTE will be at six venues around Doncaster in January. These are: Clock Corner – 12 January; Lakeside 14 January; Frenchgate 16 January; Clock Corner 19 January; Thorne 21 January and Frenchgate on 22 January.

The proposed new network includes a new fleet of low-floor, quality buses, enhanced security, and a more stable network with fewer timetable changes.

SYPTE believes that if they are delivered that it will build confidence in the bus network, improve passenger satisfaction levels and contribute to a better quality of life for us all.

A series of consultation events are planned during January when we will be explaining our proposals to the public and taking feedback on what people think about them. We then aim to talk to bus operators, councils and other interested people about the ways in which we can deliver these improved services.

David Young, SYPTE Director of Customer Experience, said: “We believe these proposals are achievable and would make a real difference to the quality of bus services in Doncaster.

“But we want to know what the people of Doncaster think about our proposals, so that we can make them as responsive to people’s needs as possible. We hope people will take the time to take a look at what we are proposing and to give us their views about our plans.”

Members of the public can also have a look at the proposals by visiting www.busvision.co.uk where they can email their views or they can write to Doncaster Bus Vision, South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive, Freepost NEA3487, Sheffield, S2 5ZQ. No stamp is required.

All responses must be received by 12 February 2010.