South Yorkshire buses to be brought back under public control

Buses are to be brought back under public control in South Yorkshire in the biggest shake up of the bus network since the 1980s.

South Yorkshire’s Mayor, Oliver Coppard, today – 18 March  – confirmed his decision to go “back to the future”, following the response to a 12-week public consultation on bus franchising.

More than 7,800 people had their say on proposals to take bus services back under public control with nearly 9 out of 10 people (87%) of those who participated either strongly supporting or supporting in part, the introduction of bus franchising.

Under bus franchising, South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) will take control of the bus network including depots, bus fleets, routes, timetables, service standards, tickets and fares.

Publicly controlled buses will start to roll out in South Yorkshire from September 2027.

Coppard 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.”

Councillor Ben Miskell, chair of the Transport, Regeneration and Climate Policy Committee at Sheffield City Council, has welcomed the decision.

He 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.

“That’s why we’re also investing in measures to improve journey times through our Connecting Sheffield programme, including improvement projects on Abbeydale Road and Ecclesall Road, and pushing ahead with our £11m EV Bus Fund to help electrify Sheffield’s buses and clean up the air we breathe.

“Franchising is a critical step in creating a public transport system that works for our residents and is truly fit for the future.”