60 South Yorkshire transport jobs axed

SYPTE said the latest job losses would bring the total number of staff cut since 2011 to 100, or 30% of the workforce.

The union Unison has described the job losses as “absolutely dreadful”.

SYPTE said it had submitted a 90-day redundancy notice to the government and had started talks with trade unions.

David Brown, SYPTE director general, said: “We are all aware that the country’s economic difficulties are continuing and all public sector organisations are subsequently facing budget cuts.

“SYPTE is no different, and it is with much regret that we need to make difficult decisions with regard to the deployment of the budget and associated resources.”

Mr Brown added that it was hoped the cuts could be achieved through voluntary redundancies and early retirements.

If approved, the cuts to the workforce will be completed by March 2013.

SYPTE oversees South Yorkshire’s transport system.