SOUTH YORKSHIRE LEADERS APPROVE PLANS TO TRANSFORM REGION’S BUS SERVICES

Published 16 November 2021 at 1:00pm

South Yorkshire Mayor Dan Jarvis and local leaders have approved plans to develop an Enhanced Partnership with bus operators, as ambitions to transform the region’s bus services move forward.

The partnership– which forms part of a future roadmap for buses in the region – was approved at today’s MCA board meeting (15th November). 

The Enhanced Partnership will allow local leaders to work together on improving ticketing, routes, and frequency of services across the region. The new agreement will provide a means of delivering the  actions set out in the MCA’s recently published Bus Services Improvement Plan (BSIP) which includes:

• A cap on daily and weekly fares, access to contactless ticketing to create an easy to use system and cheap multi-operator tickets.
• A faster, more reliable, and punctual network helped by significant bus priority measures. 
• A better bus experience with new bus shelters, on-street information with more real-time displays, backed by a new customer charter to improve passenger journeys. 
• A new zero emission bus fleet and on-demand bus service to be introduced before 2040, starting with community transport vehicles 
• A proposal to make bus travel free for everyone aged 18 and under in South Yorkshire.

The submission of the Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) brings together local initiatives and successful recent funding bids, as well as new demands to government, intended to transform local bus services alongside direct support and participation from regional bus operators.

Mayor of South Yorkshire Dan Jarvis said: 

“A world-class bus service is vital if we want to build a stronger, greener and fairer South Yorkshire. It will help people get to great jobs, to South Yorkshire’s amazing sights and will help us reach our Net Zero targets by cutting our reliance on cars. 

“The Enhanced Partnership is a really positive step forward in our plans to renew our region’s bus network. It’s the start of a journey which puts passengers first and provides greater powers for local leaders so we can build a bus network that will get South Yorkshire moving. 

“It means we can deliver practical improvements for passengers, whilst laying the groundwork to explore the prospect of franchising in the future, ensuring all options are left on the table.

“We want operators to work closely with us, so together, we can unlock vital funds and get to work now tackling the most pressing issues facing public transport users across South Yorkshire.”