HAVE YOUR SAY: SOUTH YORKSHIRE INVITES PEOPLE TO HELP SHAPE THE FUTURE OF LOCAL BUS SERVICES

Published 8 May 2026 at 11:58am

South Yorkshire is calling on people across Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield to help shape a better, simpler and more accountable bus network and deliver a real People’s Network.
 
As the region prepares to bring buses back under public control from September 2027, local voices will play a crucial role in ensuring early improvements reflect what people really need from their services.

More than a thousand people have already given their views through a new public survey which opened last month - giving passengers, residents, businesses and community groups the chance to share their experiences and priorities. 

There’s still a chance for you to add your voice as the survey runs until midnight on 17 May 2026.

The questions draw on what people have already told SYMCA about where the network falls short, focusing on improving links to key destinations, closing gaps in coverage and making services more reliable.

Priorities for the network include:
• more direct and frequent connections to hospitals in all four districts, 
• making it easier to get the bus to employment sites such as the Advanced Manufacturing Park, Armthorpe and Hoyland
• making it easier to travel by bus to hospitals, workplaces, town centres, schools, colleges and the shops
• improved coordination of services so operators or different services don’t run at the same time

Feedback on these early improvements will help shape the first changes passengers will see in 2027, when buses in South Yorkshire begin moving back under public control for the first time in decades. From September 2027, SYMCA will take responsibility for setting routes, timetables, fares and service standards, with revenue reinvested directly into improving services. For the first time since the 1980s, the region will have the power to set clear expectations for reliability, cleanliness, accessibility and customer experience.

Change will not happen all at once. Franchising will be introduced in phases between 2027 and 2029 to keep the network stable while improvements are rolled out gradually. Some changes will be visible early on including clearer information, new reliability standards, simpler and more integrated tickets and the rollout of the new public bus fleet.

More than 3,500 people have already helped shape the design of South Yorkshire’s new publicly owned bus fleet. Their feedback has informed the specification given to manufacturers, ensuring the new bus fleet reflects what passengers say they need. Features include dedicated wheelchair and pushchair spaces, step free boarding, real time audio and visual announcements, improved lighting and handrails, clearer sightlines and CCTV throughout. At least 70 per cent of the new fleet will be fully electric.

South Yorkshire’s Mayor Oliver Coppard said: “Bringing our bus network back under public control gives us a once in a generation chance to build a system that works better for us in South Yorkshire. We’re putting people first and starting to shape the South Yorkshire People’s Network around what really matters to all of us. 

“At the moment, we’re not redesigning the entire network – that will come later. As more routes move into public control between 2027 and 2029, we’ll be in a much stronger position to see what’s working well, what needs fixing, and where bigger changes are needed.

“We’re listening carefully to what everyone has to say and making improvements step by step - rebuilding a bus network that South Yorkshire can feel proud of again.”

The full transformation of the bus network will take place between 2027 and 2029, with early improvements expected from 2027 including clearer real‑time information, new reliability standards, simpler and more integrated tickets and the rollout of the new public fleet.

SYMCA is encouraging everyone to take part in the survey, including people who live, work or travel by bus, and groups responding on behalf of their community. Feedback will help ensure the right priorities shape the first phase of franchising and support the creation of a bus network that works for the whole region. To take part in the survey, visit:     www.southyorkshire-ca.gov.uk/improving-bus-services