STATEMENT FROM SOUTH YORKSHIRE’S MAYOR OLIVER COPPARD ON PRICE INCREASES BY FIRST BUS

Published 29 August 2025 at 11:00am

Responding to the news about First Bus price increases, South Yorkshire's Mayor, Oliver Coppard, said:

"Let me be clear, I’m deeply disappointed to hear that First Bus has chosen to hike fares for young people, and with barely any notice.

"At a time when I’m working hard to open up opportunity for our young people, through schemes like our Barnsley Micard pilot, First is heading in the opposite direction.

"What’s worse, they gave us almost no warning, and even less to passengers. That’s simply not good enough.

"South Yorkshire deserves a real public transport system – with the emphasis on public.

"That’s why I’ve started the process of bus franchising, to bring our buses back under public control. It’s why I’ve been working to improve South Yorkshire’s Supertram now it’s back under public control.

"And it’s why I’m working closely with Mayors across the North to make the best possible case for better rail connectivity. "Because our region deserves better. And I won’t stop until we get it."