Councillors call for rail and tram-train services to be restored after Covid cuts
Councillors are calling for the full restoration of rail and tram-train services linking Swinton, Rotherham and Doncaster, saying communities are still suffering from timetable cuts introduced during the Covid-19 pandemic.
A notice of motion will be debated at a meeting of Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council on January 14, brought forward by Councillor Victoria Cusworth and seconded by Councillor Gina Monk.
The motion highlights that train services between Swinton Interchange, Rotherham Central and Doncaster were halved during the pandemic and have never fully returned, despite restrictions being lifted.
Before Covid, Swinton benefited from three trains per hour alongside three tram-train services at Rotherham Central, giving passengers a service into Sheffield roughly every ten minutes. Councillors say the current timetable, made up of one train from Leeds, one from Doncaster and two tram-trains, has left passengers with fewer and less reliable options.
The motion argues that reduced services disproportionately affect residents who rely on public transport for work, education and leisure, and risk undermining efforts to promote sustainable travel and economic growth.
Councillors say reliable rail and tram-train services are essential for social inclusion and tackling car dependency, adding that Rotherham should not be facing reductions in public transport provision.
If approved, the council will call on train operators and the Department for Transport to urgently reinstate pre-pandemic service levels. It will also work with regional partners, including the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, to press for further investment in frequent and dependable public transport.