Buses may go back to public control

BUS services in most of Rotherham could be brought back under public control within three years, according to transport chiefs.

If the move, including regulated routes and fares, goes ahead £50 million would be ploughed into a new fleet of the latest low-floor environmentally-friendly vehicles.

A total of 450 buses would be needed in Rotherham and Sheffield, which at £120,000 for a single-decker and £160,000 per double decker bus, would total at least £50 million of new investment.

The South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive is currently carrying out consultation on whether to make the change in Doncaster.

A decision about Doncaster will be made in the Spring, with Sheffield and south Rotherham, looked at next and the Dearne Valley to be considered after that.

If such a deal went ahead, SYPTE would set routes and fares, then find a private operator to run the buses under a “quality contract” franchise

agreement.

The franchises came into being under new legislation which was finally put in place a few weeks ago.