MAYOR REVEALS NEW SOUTH YORKSHIRE PEOPLE’S NETWORK BRAND FOR THE REGION’S PUBLIC TRANSPORT

Published 16 March 2026 at 11:30am

• Mayor reveals new South Yorkshire People’s Network brand for the region’s public transport, which is rooted in the region’s history of industry, Northern grit, and resilience

• Brand unveiled alongside long-term Transport Vision for the region – outlining a public transport network that’s joined-up, affordable and serves every community

South Yorkshire’s Mayor Oliver Coppard has unveiled the South Yorkshire People’s Network – a bold new vision and brand for the region’s public transport, marking a ‘once-in-a-generation’ change.

The Mayor’s Vision for the region’s new transport network is clear: a joined up, sustainable transport system, that serves every community. One that’s reliable, affordable, welcoming and easy to use, and one that puts people at the heart of every decision.

South Yorkshire once had a world-class public transport system. But for too long, people have been let down by rising fares, routes that don’t take them where they need to go, and cuts to services.

The Mayor is changing that by taking back control of South Yorkshire’s future and putting people firmly in the driving seat. 

The new South Yorkshire People’s Network will be built around six key principles:

• Freedom and Choice – connecting people to where they want to go

• Prioritising people

• Affordable

• Matching our growth ambitions – creating jobs, opportunities and investing in communities

• Fit for the future

• Safe and easy to use

The transformation is already underway, backed by £1.5bn of investment to start us off – including £630m towards the major renewal and enhancement of our tram network and £350m to reform South Yorkshire’s buses.

Trams are back under public control, and starting next year, buses will be too, allowing decisions to be made in the interests of people, not profits. Doncaster Sheffield Airport (DSA) is being reopened, major investment has been secured for rail through Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR), and more funding is going into walking, wheeling and cycling and road safety.

The South Yorkshire People’s Network brand reflects South Yorkshire’s pride in taking back control and the determination to build something better. Colours of molten orange, grey and asphalt black speak to the region’s history of industry, Northern grit, and resilience.

South Yorkshire’s Mayor Oliver Coppard said: “Transport isn’t just about getting from A to B. A proper public transport network gives people real freedom and choice about how they travel and move, connects people to opportunity and opens up new horizons.

“But public transport in South Yorkshire has been broken for too long. I promised to make change happen, to give South Yorkshire back the world class public transport system we once had, and that’s exactly what we’re doing.

“That’s why we’re putting in a huge investment to fix our public transport system, backed by even greater ambition, so that we can build something that truly works for all of us across South Yorkshire; a real People’s Network.”

In the coming months, people will begin to see the new brand across bus stops, shelters and interchanges, on frontline tram staff uniforms and on a new South Yorkshire People’s Network website, replacing Travel South Yorkshire by the end of the year.

From next year, the brand will appear on the buses that come under South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) control, on bus driver uniforms, across the tram network, the Mayor’s South Yorkshire-wide E-bike subscription programme, and Sheffield City Council’s E-bike hire scheme.

Over the next five years, people will see the brand on 25 new trams and across our network and wayfinding signs.

Delivering the full Transport Vision for South Yorkshire will take time and long-term investment. The Mayor has set out plans to keep fighting for the bold funding the region deserves so everyone in South Yorkshire can stay near and go far, living in communities that are healthier, happier, safer and more prosperous.

What’s coming next

In the next few years, South Yorkshire will see:

• Magna Tram Train Station opening to the public imminently

• Refurbishment of stops and shelters beginning this year, as well as new bus and tram shelters with an iconic design that reflects our ambition and sets a new benchmark for user‑led design, innovation and beauty

• Bus franchising starting in Doncaster and Sheffield in September 2027 and covering all four of South Yorkshire’s boroughs by 2029 

• Simplified tickets that are available on franchised bus services with new integrated tram and bus tickets. Ensuring that tickets enable people to use both franchised and non-franchised bus services while the transition takes place

• New E-bike subscription and hire schemes launching next year 

• Passenger flights returning to DSA in 2028 

• Exploration of tram extensions, supported by £7.5m from government to develop plans

• Free travel for all under‑18s will extend from Barnsley to Sheffield, with a wider ambition to introduce it across the whole of South Yorkshire by Summer 2027.

• Starting the process of improving the bus network with initial improvements from Day 1 of bus franchising, focusing on getting more buses running on time and improving links to hospitals and the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre.

In the 2030s, the Vision aims to deliver: 

• Northen Powerhouse Rail phase 1: four fast train services per hour between Sheffield and Leeds

• Capacity upgrades to Sheffield and Doncaster stations 

• Rotherham Gateway train station and tram stop

• Waverley train station

• A full fleet of 25 new trams  

• Further improvements to the Penistone Line

• Expansion of our tram / Tram-Train network

And in the 2040s, the ambition includes: 

• Northen Powerhouse Rail phase 3: four fast trains per hour between Sheffield and Manchester

• All rail stations in South Yorkshire becoming step-free 

Have your say

The Mayor wants people to help shape how the People’s Network feels in practice. While the name, colours and purpose of the brand are set, the way the brand shows up across the network is still being finalised.

There will be opportunities for the public to provide feedback to help guide improvements and support more reliable journeys for everyone.

How you can see the brand in action this week

You’ll be able to see the new South Yorkshire People’s Network brand across all four boroughs in South Yorkshire and speak to staff about how the new brand and Transport Vision will improve experiences across the transport system, as a branded bus goes on tour.

Tour dates and locations:

• Monday 16th March: 10am until 4pm, Barker’s Pool, Sheffield

• Tuesday 17th March: 8am until 12pm, Effingham Square, Rotherham

• Tuesday 17th March: 2pm until 6pm, Glassworks Square, Barnsley Town Centre

• Wednesday 18th March: 8am until 12pm, outside Frenchgate Shopping Centre, Doncaster

Jason Prince, Director of the Urban Transport Group, said: "This is a hugely exciting time for South Yorkshire and for anyone – from residents to visitors – travelling in the region.

“The ‘South Yorkshire People’s Network’ is not just a brand, it is a connection to the local area; a vision for a world leading transport system – one that has people at its heart.”

Henri Murison, Chief Executive of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, said: “South Yorkshire has a bright future ahead of it, building on its recent success including in Rotherham as the town in the North with the fastest productivity growth over the last two decades due to the impact of the Advanced Manufacturing Park across here and its neighbouring city of Sheffield.

“But to realise its destiny, the city region needs a transport network that connects people more easily by public transport to the better paid jobs and opportunities being created here which too often it currently is falling short of. We are creating great apprenticeships - but not the buses to get to them.

“Alongside major investments like Northern Powerhouse Rail to Sheffield from Manchester and Leeds as well as critically a new station in Rotherham, improving connectivity within South Yorkshire and connecting it better to the rest of the North will change lives here for decades to come.”

Bailey, a student from Barnsley, said: “For many young people, the cost of travel can be one of the biggest barriers to accessing education, training and work experience. The MiCard has made a real difference for students like me and my friends, allowing us to travel to college and across Barnsley and South Yorkshire without worrying about the cost.

"For me, as an Engineering student, being able to travel easily means I can take part in work experience, industry visits and practical learning that might otherwise be out of reach. It means that we can say "yes" to opportunities that would have previously been difficult to commit to and look further afield than just on our doorstep for exciting opportunities.

"I’m really excited to see that South Yorkshire and our Mayor are now going even further to make sure everyone across the region gets the chance to reach the opportunities they deserve.”

Lord David Blunkett said: “For too long, South Yorkshire has been held back by a public transport system that hasn’t matched the needs or ambitions of our communities.

"I’m pleased the aims set out in my Yorkshire Plan for Rail are now reflected in the wider vision for public transport in South Yorkshire, creating services that are reliable, accessible and with the aim of making them affordable.

"We have a real opportunity to transform the way people travel, improving connections to support economic growth and open up opportunities for individuals and businesses alike. A transport network that works for everyone is essential to the future of South Yorkshire, as it was in the past, and the Vision is a vital step towards achieving this.”

James O'Hara, Co-founder of Crossed Wires & Tramlines, said: "I'm delighted to see the vision and commitment to improving the transport network across the cities and towns we all call home. It's impossible to overstate how important an integrated, reliable and affordable system is to the economy and ambition of an area.

“Our region is becoming more confident, more outward looking and more inviting of investment, for this momentum to continue it's vital that the people of South Yorkshire have the network they deserve. We want our people and visitors to take advantage of all the opportunities that are coming and we can't do that if they can't get to the places they need to be, when they need to be there.

“It will be a huge shot in the arm for the fantastic events such as Tramlines, Crossed Wires, World Snooker, our sports teams and institutions and our hospitality businesses to be able to signpost themselves within a system that prioritises people and their needs. It's time for us to shout about our region and these new plans will allow people get to where those shouts are coming from.”

Chris Boardman CBE, Active Travel Commissioner, said: “Walking, wheeling and cycling are the glue that makes public transport work — they are how most journeys begin and end, connecting people not just to their destination, but also to buses, trams and trains. Done well, a holistic approach will give thousands more children the safety and independence to get to school, enable older people to live well and longer in their communities, and connect the huge number of people without access to a car with opportunity."

"The livery launched today is more than colour, it is a signal of intent to adopt a whole-system approach to funding and delivery. These colours should become a guarantee of a reliable, pleasant and affordable journey, and a promise of more choice in daily life.”

Edward Austin, Sales Manager at Buffalo Systems, said: “Buffalo Systems is delighted to be part of this exciting journey for South Yorkshire. The region has a proud industrial heritage and an ambitious vision for the future, and we’re incredibly proud to support initiatives that strengthen local capability, innovation, and resilience.

“We look forward to working alongside partners across South Yorkshire to help deliver meaningful progress and long-term value for communities and businesses across the region."

Find out more

You can find out more information, including the story of the brand, full Transport Vision document, public survey on the six principles in the Vision, an online exhibition and FAQs at www.sypn.gov.uk