£15million pledged to improve Sheffield buses and make public transport greener

The pledge is part of Labour’s spending plan, which was presented to full council on Wednesday, March 4.

The Liberal Democrats and the Green Party, who offered alternative budgets, also put buses at the top of their wish lists.

Coun Bob Johnson, Cabinet member for transport and development, said: “We’re promoting active travel with more walking routes, segregated cycle lanes and bus lanes.

“The council has recently prepared an £85m programme of cycling, walking and bus corridor improvements.”

Almost £5million will be invested in making 277 buses cleaner and there will be £1.25m to increase access to rapid-charge points for electric cars, with many more charging points planned.

The Lib Dems and Greens both had the same idea of reinstating the free bus around the city centre but as a new electric vehicle.

The Lib Dems also said they would invest £600,000 in so young carers can have free bus travel.

Lib Dem Leader Shaffaq Mohammed, who was an MEP until Brexit Day on January 31, said he noticed the difference with public transport in Europe.

“I was in Europe and I saw some pretty decent transport which ran on time and was absolutely connected.

“I had more problems getting a train from Meadowhall to Manchester. It’s one and a half hours from Meadowhall to Manchester but two hours from St Pancras all the way to Brussels.”

The Greens said they would offer free bus and tram travel on the six Sundays before Christmas and invest in three new electric buses on a city centre route.

Green councillor Douglas Johnson said: “What’s interesting about our proposal is these new buses will be in the direct public ownership of Sheffield Council.

“We will create new jobs with a team of sustainability officers to work on the climate emergency, promote cycling and start the process of a Workplace Parking Levy to raise long-term funds for modern transport.”