Thank you for taking part in the recent consultation.

South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) is consulting on taking back control of our buses through bus franchising.

Buses are the most used mode of public transport in South Yorkshire, and SYMCA now has the power to reform bus services to make sure they work for the public.

Since 1986, bus services in the region have been deregulated. This means that private bus operators are responsible for setting routes, timetables, service standards, fares and tickets and run services to make a profit.

Bus franchising is where a transport authority such as SYMCA takes control of how buses are run; owning the depots and the bus fleet. If, following the consultation, the Mayor decides to proceed with bus franchising buses will be taken back under public control.

This will give SYMCA powers to decide:

• what routes buses take 
• what times they run
• the quality of the service
• how many ticket options are available
• what the fares will cost 
• how to improve the reliability of the bus network
• how buses, trams and trains can connect with each other.

As a public body, SYMCA can reinvest any profit back into improving the system for the public.

Equally, SYMCA would be responsible for any revenue shortfall should costs exceed the fares revenue.

Under bus franchising private operators would bid for contracts to run bus services and will be held to account for running a good quality, punctual and reliable service. 

The consultation document provides more details on the proposals.

See translations of some of the documents here. 

Why we are consulting

The government has set out a number of steps SYMCA must follow before it can introduce bus franchising. This includes commissioning an assessment looking at different options for running bus services which concluded that bus franchising is the best option to deliver SYMCA’s strategic objectives.

The next step is to carry out this statutory public consultation.

This consultation will inform a decision by South Yorkshire’s Mayor on whether or not to introduce the Proposed Franchising Scheme.

Who can take part in the consultation?

Anyone can take part in the consultation. You do not have to live in South Yorkshire. You can answer as a member of the public or in an official capacity. If you are answering in an official capacity, your response may be published. Information provided by members of the public will be made anonymous.  

What happens next

Inspection of consultation documents

For those wishing to inspect a physical copy of the consultation document, the Assessment and the Independent Review, copies will be available at the following locations from 23^rd October 2024 until 15^th January 2025:

• SYMCA, 11 Broad Street West, Sheffield, S1 2BQ 
• Doncaster Central Library, Waterdale, DN1 3BZ, during its usual opening hours
• Barnsley Central Library, 1 The Glass Works, S70 1G, during its usual opening hours
• Sheffield Central Library, Surrey St, S1 1XZ, during its usual opening hours
• Rotherham Central Library, Main Street, S60 1AE, during its usual opening hours

Public information drop-in events

You can come and speak to us at a series of public information drop-in events across South Yorkshire which are taking place throughout the consultation period. At these events you can expect to meet people who will be available to answer your questions and provide copies of the questionnaire for you to fill in.