South Yorkshire mayor calls for meeting with transport secretary over bus crisis

SOUTH Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard claims there is “a poverty of ambition” at the heart of government plans to tackle the current bus crisis facing the region.

Mr Coppard has written to transport secretary Grant Shapps MP asking for a meeting to discuss the crisis facing buses in the region and calling for “serious consideration to my previous request for meaningful, long-term support”.

In the letter he says: “At a time where there are unprecedented pressures on living costs, public transport is an even more important lifeline for South Yorkshire. That is all the more true for those most impacted by the current economic pressures. The uncertainty created by short-term, muddled thinking, makes it impossible for people to make meaningful decisions about their healthcare, work or academic future.” 

He also writes: “I am aware that discussions are underway between your department, operators and transport authorities on extending the Bus Recovery Grant (BRG) funding for a further three months. Whilst I welcome any additional funding that will help support services, I find it incredible that this is being proposed at such a late stage.”

Mr Coppard adds: “Far from working with metro mayors like me to deliver a frequent, efficient and affordable public transport system in places like South Yorkshire, there is seemingly a poverty of ambition at the heart of this government’s plans. 

“In order to move matters forward I am asking you for three things:

“Devolution of any extension of BRG to the SYMCA (South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority) to ensure those funds are allocated against local priorities and not just used to support commercial priorities, or prop-up profit margins of operators.

“Any extension of funding applies equally to light rail — this is an important part of our local transport infrastructure facing similar challenges to bus services.

“I am again asking you to give serious consideration to my previous request for meaningful, long-term support. Officials from DFT (Department for Transport) must engage with my team to develop proposals that deliver growth in passenger numbers and lead to a sustainable network, an ambition that I'm sure we both share.

“I look forward to your response and would welcome a meeting with you.”

Earlier this month HCT Group announced their Powells and CT Plus bus companies were closing, affecting services that operated throughout the borough including Thurcroft, Kiveton Park, Maltby, Ravenfield Common, and Bramley.