South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard announced on 18 March that after an ‘overwhelming response’ to a 12-week consultation, the county would move forward with plans to adopt a bus franchising model.
The South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) reports that over 7,800 people had their say on franchising proposals, with 87% of respondents either strongly supporting or supporting in part the introduction of bus franchising. It is expected that SYMCA will take control of depots as well as fleets, routes, timetables, service standards, tickets and fares, with the first franchised services running in September 2027.
The Mayor said: “Today, we’ve made history; turning back the tide on the failed experiment of the privatisation of our bus network that was started in the 1980s, putting the public back into public transport. When I was elected as South Yorkshire’s Mayor in 2022, I promised to take back control of our buses. Today I’m proud to say that is a promise being kept.
“Starting in 2027, we will begin to take back control of routes, fares and timetables across South Yorkshire, so we decide where buses run, when, and where.
“Buses are essential for our communities. They connect people to services, to jobs, training and opportunity, and to friends and family. But over the last 40 years we’ve seen public transport taken apart; fares go up, routes and passenger numbers go down, and our city centres, our high streets and our economy flatline. 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.
“After nearly 30 years we took the tram back into public control last year. Today is another huge step on that journey. The destination is a fully integrated transport system across Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield, one that works in the interests of our communities and our economy, putting people back in control of essential services.”
SYMCA says it will now be talking to communities about their buses, what they would like to see as part of the future network and on the design and features of the buses, and will also be announcing a new integrated public transport branding which will cover buses, trams and other public transport assets owned by SYMCA in the coming months.
Responding to the South Yorkshire Combined Authority’s announcement, CPT Regional Manager for the North of England Andrew McGuinness said: “Bus operators share the same goals as the Mayor – to deliver frequent, reliable and affordable buses for the people of South Yorkshire. We welcome the Mayor’s recognition of the essential role played by buses in connecting communities and in boosting the region’s economy.
“Bus operators stand ready to work with the Mayor of South Yorkshire in making a success of the new regulatory model, just as they did in supporting the delivery of the Bee Network in Greater Manchester.”
However, he cautioned: “Franchising isn’t a silver bullet, though. To make a lasting improvement in bus services, any change in regulation needs to be backed by long-term funding and by measures to speed up buses – including improving bus priority and devoting more road space to buses in South Yorkshire. We need to work together to encourage more people to travel by bus, and to reduce the use of cars as a default mode of transport.”
