More uniformed officers on Sheffield's transport from next September, as launch of public bus scheme approaches
SYMCA said it is developing a new 'travel safe' programme, focussed on improving safety across the whole transport network
South Yorkshire's Mayor says new transport network will come with "an increased presence of uniformed officers" amid plans for a better, and more orange, bus network.
South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) will take responsibility for planning bus services in Sheffield, Rotherham, Barnsley and Doncaster, starting in September 2027 and being introduced in phases to 2029.
Bus routes, timetables and tickets will all be decided locally by SYMCA, under a new orange brand of the 'South Yorkshire People's Network'.
In an October update, SYMCA shared it is in the process of acquiring up to 750 fixed ticket machines and 80 handheld ticket machines to support fare collection on franchised buses.
The report announces that electrification work is under way at bus depots in Leger Way in Doncaster and Olive Grove in Sheffield, preparing the depots for the first phase of new electric buses from September 2027.
Earlier this year, SYMCA secured £33.4m of additional government funding to put 187 electric buses on South Yorkshire's roads from Olive Grove.
£34m of additional funding has also been secured for investment in depot electrification at Holbrook Depot near Mosborough, for around 50 buses from diesel to electric, ahead of the 'People's Network' launch.
SYMCA said it is developing a new 'travel safe' programme, focussed on improving safety across the network over the next three years.
This will include incorporating an increased presence of uniformed officers across the transport network, targeted education initiatives, and active support for South Yorkshire Police in identifying anti-social behaviour hotspots and implementing appropriate interventions.
A survey between March and May this year gathered around 2,000 responses, including feedback from 48 groups and organisations and 28 political stakeholders to inform improvements to the bus network.
SYMCA said plans include improving reliability by holding operators to account for late running services, introducing faster and more direct journeys to hospitals, town centres, shops and major employment sites.
More planned improvements include earlier first buses, later last buses and more services on Sundays.
In terms of accessibility and transport for rural areas and outer communities, SYMCA said it plans to introduce more frequent buses on selected routes, new links for communities with a poor or limited bus service
It also plans to simplify routes and service numbers and give passengers clearer information.
SYMCA also said accessibility for disabled passengers, wheelchair users, parents with pushchairs and people with mobility difficulties featured heavily on the survey.
The October updates report read: "We’re already working with operators on improvements that can be made before franchising begins.
"The South Yorkshire People’s Network will continue to develop as more bus services move into public control and beyond."