A free city centre bus service has seen passenger numbers double in a year following the introduction of four new fully-electric vehicles.
The Connect service, made up of two routes around Sheffield city centre, has been used by 78,000 passengers since it was re-launched in March 2024.
Councillor Ben Miskell, Chair of city council’s Transport, Regeneration and Climate Policy Committee, said: “It’s been an incredible year for Sheffield Connect since it relaunched back in 2024.
“I’m delighted to see so many people are now using the service every single day”
The four electric vehicles were delivered in March 2024 as part of a scheme launched by the South Yorkshire Combined Mayoral Authority.
South Yorkshire’s Mayor, Oliver Coppard, said: “Electric vehicles are critical to decarbonising our bus fleet, achieving our net zero ambitions, and improving air quality for South Yorkshire’s residents.”
In total, 27 zero-emission buses are now in operation across South Yorkshire to improve air-quality and create a cleaner public transport network.
Cllr Miskell said: “The success of our two Sheffield Connect services shows that when you provide a high-quality, reliable service, people will use it.”
The SC1 route, which circulates Sheffield city centre, stretching from the Interchange to the Moor Market, has served 40,000 passengers since the addition of the electric vehicles, more than doubling its previous total of 16,500.
The SC2, which runs from Bridge Street to the Moor Market, has been used by 37,000 passengers since opening.
Passenger Stella Monks, 20, said: “As a student in Sheffield I tend to walk everywhere, so it’s nice to have a free alternative.
“Buses are expensive,” she added.
Previously known as the FreeBee circular, the service was operated by a discreet, white minibus, limiting knowledge of its existence.
But five years after a Green Party proposal, the route is now served by four single-decker, green buses that are hard to miss.
The change was accompanied by signage updates across the route, advertising the free service for all.
Sheffield Connect runs between 7am and 7pm, seven days a week. The SC1 service runs every seven to eight minutes and the SC2 every 20 minutes. The full timetable is available on the Travel South Yorkshire website.
