South Yorkshire Bus Franchising Consultation – From Wednesday 23 October 2024 to Wednesday 15 January 2025
South Yorkshire Mayor Combined Authority (SYMCA) launched a 12-week public consultation on
Wednesday 23 October, asking people, businesses and organisations to have their say on how buses should be run in South Yorkshire.
They want to hear from the local community on the plans to reform buses in South Yorkshire because their ability to get to work, school, to important appointments, or to see family and friends, will be impacted by the outcome.
Background information
Bus services are the most used form of public transport in South Yorkshire and since
1986, have been deregulated in the region. This means that private bus operators are responsible for setting routes, timetables, service standards, fares and tickets.
Bus services are mostly run commercially with private operators needing to make a profit. Some bus services in South Yorkshire are funded by the Mayoral Combined Authority (MCA) such as
evening and weekend services which don’t make money but are vital to the communities they serve.
In recent years there have been significant cuts to the bus network and since 2007 the bus network in South Yorkshire has more than halved. There are currently 23 bus companies operating
in the region and over 100 types of tickets available, which can be confusing for passengers.
Proposals for a new bus system for South Yorkshire
The MCA has powers to change the way buses are run in the region and commissioned an assessment and independent audit which looked at the different options available. The assessment concluded
that a new model known as “Bus Franchising” is the best option to deliver our strategic objectives.
They agree that we should take back control of the buses and they wish to proceed with the franchising option.
This will give the MCA powers to decide bus routes, times and quality of services, tickets and fares, as well as improve connections between buses, trams and trains.
The Government has set out a number of steps the MCA must follow before we can introduce bus franchising. The next step is to carry out a 12-week public consultation on the proposed bus
franchising option to see if there is support for the proposals.
This bus franchising consultation is open until
23:59 on Wednesday 15 January 2025, to gather feedback on their proposed bus reforms.
It is open to all members of the public, businesses and organisations.
How to take part
They would like to hear as many views as possible about the proposals in the consultation to help shape a brighter future for public transport in South Yorkshire. Feedback from this consultation, will help to create a more reliable, efficient, and accessible bus network for everyone.
All the information and how to take part is available at southyorkshire-ca.gov.uk/bus-reform