A pair of Sheffield students said they were left ‘stranded’ in the Peak District after misleading signs meant they weren’t able to get a bus back to the city.
University of Sheffield students Students Emma and Grace said incorrect signage at Chatsworth House left them thinking, “public transport failed me”.
A sign at Chatsworth House bus stop informed them that buses could not make it there due to road closures but would be running from Edensor Gate bus stop.
They intended to catch the 218 bus to Ecclesall Road just before 6pm on March 1 but after waiting at Edensor Gate for 30 minutes, Emma phoned the bus company TM Travel.
They then told her buses would not go to this stop either and they should instead go to Pilsey school bus stop.
By this point it was dark and this bus stop was another 20 minute walk which left the pair, “upset and annoyed”.
They had to walk on a narrow pavement in the dark as there were no lights along the road or at the bus stop, using their phone torches to light the way.
When arriving at this stop, the next bus was a 1.5 hour wait. Fortunately they were able to phone a friend with a car who came and picked them up.
Grace said they were “very lucky”, but if someone wasn’t able to contact someone with a car, “it could cause issues”.
Emma said the “communication issues made me doubt myself”, and that, “others may not have been so fortunate”.
Emma went on to email TM Tavel who once again told them buses would not run to Edensor Gate, not addressing the incorrect signs. Emma said the email acted like, “I’ve come to this conclusion out of nowhere”.
She followed up again about the sign issue but has since received no response, leaving her, “displeased”.
Emma said, “someone needs to fix it”, with Grace adding, “anyone would think what we did”.
Grace added: “This is not the first time buses have been late or not shown up in this area.”
They were fortunate to find a way home but Grace said it left them both thinking, “how it could affect other people”.
TM Travel have been contacted for comment.
