Buses to be brought back under public control

Bus services in South Yorkshire are to be brought back under public control for the first time in nearly 40 years.

Mayor Oliver Coppard said the decision represented the best value for money to improve the bus network in Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield.

It means South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) will set routes, timetables and fares across the region with bus services brought under one brand.

The move will cost SYMCA £25m to transition to the new franchising system over the next three years.

Under the proposal bus companies will no longer be able to run the services they choose but will have to bid for specific contracts set by SYMCA.

Over the last decade there has been a steep decline in the number of buses operating in South Yorkshire, with a 42% fall in the number of route miles covered by services.

Coppard said the decision "turns back the tide on the failed experiment" of privatisation.

He said: "I want us to build a bigger and better economy in South Yorkshire and we need a public transport system that allows people to get to where they want to go, when they want to go there."

As well as deciding routes, SYMCA will set timetables and fares, with all revenue going to the public body.

It will also own the buses and depots and make decisions about how money is reinvested in the network.

Matt Kitchin, Stagecoach managing director, said: "We are pleased the decision on the future of bus franchising in our region has now been made.

"We look forward to continuing the conversation on what works best for customers locally, bringing our considerable experience and extensive knowledge of running services in franchised regions like London and Greater Manchester."

During the consultation, however, TM Travel, who are based in Sheffield said they feared smaller and medium-sized bus operators could be excluded from the market.

South Yorkshire was once famous for its publicly-run bus network, with adult fares of 8p and a 'go anywhere' kids fare of 2p.

That ended in 1986 when the then-government deregulated the bus market outside London, allowing private companies to compete on bus routes.

Since 2017 metro mayors have been allowed to franchise bus services, with the process recently completed in Greater Manchester, where all buses have been painted a striking yellow and branded "Bee Network".

West Yorkshire's mayor Tracy Brabin backed franchising last year, with the first publicly-controlled services expected to operate in early 2027.

South Yorkshire hopes to run a publicly-controlled bus network by the end of 2027.

Local transport minister Simon Lightwood said he was "absolutely delighted" with the move.

"South Yorkshire's local leaders have voted with both hands today to take back control of their buses and give local people the services they deserve," he said.

"Residents from Barnsley to Bawtry will be able to visit friends and family, reach exciting job opportunities and access the public services they need."

Councillor Ben Miskell, chair of Sheffield City Council's transport, regeneration and climate policy committee, said: "Sheffield is undergoing a major transformation, with thousands of new homes and jobs and exciting new venues and public spaces coming to life.

"To support this growth, we need a reliable, accessible transport network that helps people get around quickly and easily."

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