Stagecoach Yorkshire’s newest fleet of hi-tech vehicles costing over £500,000 shows the company’s commitment to making public transport accessible to all in Dronfield, says a leading local dignitary.

Mayor of Dronfield Cllr Izzy Pryce believes Stagecoach’s investment in six low-floor, easy access buses for its service 43, which connects passengers in Dronfield with Chesterfield and Sheffield, will lead to further passenger growth across the town.

Mr Pryce helped unveil the new fleet, alongside Geoff Pickford, Integrated Transport Manager for Derbyshire County Council, at a launch event at Dronfield’s Bright Finance Stadium, home of Sheffield FC, on Friday, 2 May 2008.

The MAN/E300 vehicles, featuring a special Peel Monument livery, are designed to be fully accessible to elderly passengers, people with disabilities and families with young children and also meet tough Euro IV emissions standards.

Cllr Izzy Pryce said: It is fantastic that over the last five years the number of people using service 43 has more than doubled and I’m delighted to help celebrate Stagecoach’s latest investment in the route. The new fleet is modern, highly accessible for all and marks a real move forward for public transport in the area.

Geoff Pickford, Integrated Transport Manager for Derbyshire County Council, said: Derbyshire County Council supports and shares Stagecoach’s objectives to further increase patronage on service 43 and we look forward to working with the company to generate even more success in the area.

Rupert Cox, Commercial Director for Stagecoach Yorkshire, said: Service 43 has seen significant growth since 2003 and with this investment we hope to make Stagecoach buses even more accessible for passengers in Dronfield. The fleet features a unique Peel Monument livery, which has been specially designed to show our commitment to the town and create a real local identity.

The investment comes as Stagecoach has recently introduced a series of improvements on service 43 (Chesterfield - Dronfield – Sheffield) as part of a review of this route.

The frequency on number 43 has increased to every 30 minutes during Monday to Saturday daytime, while minor timetable alterations on 44 will ensure improved coordination with the 253 between Coal Aston and Sheffield.

New timetables for the 43/44/253 will provide a 15 minute frequency between Meadowhead roundabout and Sheffield city centre. Combined with route 25, which operates every 20 minutes, and the 727, Stagecoach now offers up to nine buses an hour between Norton, Woodseats and Sheffield City Centre.