DONCASTER SHEFFIELD
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Bangor (Gwynedd)
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There is a horrible smell of death around Links Air at the moment. They have cancelled all routes aside from the Welsh PSO services. It is likely the only reason they still operate scheduled flights. Maybe the split with CityWing was a mistake?
Adam
Adam
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: sheffield
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If there's five flights a week in each direction that's about 32 passengers per flight. Not too bad for a new route and I understand they are small planes, ATR 72. Let's hope it stays steady until the link road opens.
Has anyone heard any murmers about a direct bus to Sheffield to coincide with the opening of the link road?
Has anyone heard any murmers about a direct bus to Sheffield to coincide with the opening of the link road?
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: sheffield
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They should certainly be full for St Ledger weekend. DSA is very handy for Doncaster races, and also handy for York. But it's not handy for too much else, despite the big regional population.
The link road will certainly help but the trick for me is to use it to make DSA easier to access by public transport. At the moment there's only a stopping bus to Doncaster, and, I think, a very slow stopping bus to Barnsley. Nothing else. I'm sure it would be used more if it were easier to get to.
The link road will certainly help but the trick for me is to use it to make DSA easier to access by public transport. At the moment there's only a stopping bus to Doncaster, and, I think, a very slow stopping bus to Barnsley. Nothing else. I'm sure it would be used more if it were easier to get to.
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Doncaster
Age: 63
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There has frequently been discussion of a direct bus link from Sheffield. However I expect most passengers from the airport either use the parking facilities, get a lift off a mate or share a taxi. There used to be a dedicated fast bus to Doncaster Interchange (next to the station) but this was withdrawn due to lack of use. The normal service buses are not much slower.
As you will know, there are many flights from Eastern Europe to Doncaster. I have used these a few times and on anecdotal evidence I have never seen more than fifteen off each flight transfer to the bus. Many of these do seem to be going to Sheffield, however, and better information on the bus shelter on ways to get there may be helpful: for example if the traveller is not in a rush, a First day ticket is much cheaper than the train.
As you will know, there are many flights from Eastern Europe to Doncaster. I have used these a few times and on anecdotal evidence I have never seen more than fifteen off each flight transfer to the bus. Many of these do seem to be going to Sheffield, however, and better information on the bus shelter on ways to get there may be helpful: for example if the traveller is not in a rush, a First day ticket is much cheaper than the train.
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: sheffield
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Given the times and destinations of the flights to and from DSA I agree that a fast non-stop bus service to Sheffield wouldn't be viable. Any new bus service would need to serve the local S Yorks community as well as the airport.
I'd argue that South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (SYPTE) should introduce a fast stopping service that serves DSA and the business park, Rossington Village, and the west Rotherham suburbs of Wickersley and Whiston, using the Bawtrey Rd dual carriageway instead of the M1 before traveling down the Parkway into Sheffield.
With the new link road in place, even this route wouldn't take more than 45 minutes which is acceptable for an airport to city connection. It would be used by local passengers too as a quick route into Sheffield and connections beyond.
I'd argue that South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (SYPTE) should introduce a fast stopping service that serves DSA and the business park, Rossington Village, and the west Rotherham suburbs of Wickersley and Whiston, using the Bawtrey Rd dual carriageway instead of the M1 before traveling down the Parkway into Sheffield.
With the new link road in place, even this route wouldn't take more than 45 minutes which is acceptable for an airport to city connection. It would be used by local passengers too as a quick route into Sheffield and connections beyond.
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: sheffield
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I see it's not dead yet, and BMI's DSA-FRA proposal has made round two.
Any opinions on this? I can't see much PAX originating in Frankfurt but might it be viable as a hub for people in Yorks / Humberside and the E Midlands wanting to travel to onward destinations? DSA currently has no major hub connection apart from Dublin.
I think this route's success would very much depend on the price, and BMI isn't the cheapest. I'm also wondering if BMI would be obliged to go ahead with it if they were awarded the funding.
I'm also wondering what kind of impact the new link road might have. Will people in e.g. Sheffield start using DSA more if the airport is 25 mins away instead of 35-40? Will it become more attractive to people in Leeds?
Any opinions on this? I can't see much PAX originating in Frankfurt but might it be viable as a hub for people in Yorks / Humberside and the E Midlands wanting to travel to onward destinations? DSA currently has no major hub connection apart from Dublin.
I think this route's success would very much depend on the price, and BMI isn't the cheapest. I'm also wondering if BMI would be obliged to go ahead with it if they were awarded the funding.
I'm also wondering what kind of impact the new link road might have. Will people in e.g. Sheffield start using DSA more if the airport is 25 mins away instead of 35-40? Will it become more attractive to people in Leeds?
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Doncaster
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There aren't any other Frankfurt flights this side of the Pennines, so who knows? As far as the new link road is concerned, I suspect that the success of that will depend on how the first people to use it find it and spread their experience by word of mouth.
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: sheffield
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BMI's BRS-FRA seems to be performing well. I agree that this could work, but I'd expect the initial take-up to be slow until awareness grew.
DSA's public transport connections aren't great of course, with no train or bus to any larger city.
Public transport users in Sheffield or Leeds would still look at Manchester before DSA, due to the direct train connection. But those traveling by car will hopefully see DSA as more attractive after the link road opens. The process of passing through security and baggage is easier at smaller airports like DSA
DSA's public transport connections aren't great of course, with no train or bus to any larger city.
Public transport users in Sheffield or Leeds would still look at Manchester before DSA, due to the direct train connection. But those traveling by car will hopefully see DSA as more attractive after the link road opens. The process of passing through security and baggage is easier at smaller airports like DSA
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: RSW & Europe
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The 15 mins I "could" save using the new road traveling from just north of Sheffield pales into insignificance with the time spent checking in, getting through security and just waiting around for the flight at DSA. At least flying through MAN I have the choice of 4 flights a day to FRA along with plenty of eating places and business lounges to relax in while waiting for the flight to be called. Sadly I have not used DSA for many years, not because I don't like it or it takes too long to get to but because there are no flights to places I need to go to. DSA seems to have created it's niche market with Eastern European migrant workers flights along with the "bucket and spade" flights, the occasional attempt to attract business flights just seem to come and go leaving little trace behind.
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: sheffield
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All true - though "budget" city breakers are a growing UK market for Wizz.
Hopefully the Dublin route will hold steady through the winter, which would demonstrate that more "normal" routes can be viable
Hopefully the Dublin route will hold steady through the winter, which would demonstrate that more "normal" routes can be viable
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: NI
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I notice that Belfast has quietly disappeared as a destination on the Links Air website after persisting most of the year in the 'no seats available for this flight' limbo.
So that's that, then.
So that's that, then.
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Doncaster
Age: 50
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I've used the Dublin flight a couple of times...
Great to drive five minutes to the airport, not so great not getting into Dublin until lunchtime - it makes a work schedule a little hard to put together. Same for the morning flight back - in fact last time I ended up flying back to Manchester and getting the train...
Check-in is great and the queues for security non-existent. Security is a bigger pain than normal (I think they are bored) making me unpack my bag as it's too densely packed for the scanner... Funny how no-one else struggles.
The first flight was delayed as the fueler was lost. I reckon he was asleep...
The lounge is perfectly adequate, and while the planes are far from new I the Aer Lingus crew are pleasant.
Biggest issue I have is the over zealous policing of the Estate Roads. They mean it when they mean no stopping!
Great to drive five minutes to the airport, not so great not getting into Dublin until lunchtime - it makes a work schedule a little hard to put together. Same for the morning flight back - in fact last time I ended up flying back to Manchester and getting the train...
Check-in is great and the queues for security non-existent. Security is a bigger pain than normal (I think they are bored) making me unpack my bag as it's too densely packed for the scanner... Funny how no-one else struggles.
The first flight was delayed as the fueler was lost. I reckon he was asleep...
The lounge is perfectly adequate, and while the planes are far from new I the Aer Lingus crew are pleasant.
Biggest issue I have is the over zealous policing of the Estate Roads. They mean it when they mean no stopping!