The South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) has taken another step towards the introduction of franchised bus services by taking all major depots in the region under public ownership.
SYMCA has secured five depots from operators First Bus and Stagecoach – at Olive Grove, Ecclesfield and Holbrook in Sheffield; Rawmarsh in Rotherham; and Wakefield Road in Barnsley – adding to the already publicly owned Leger Way site in Doncaster.
This brings every major depot in the region into public ownership well ahead of when the first franchised buses hit the road in September 2027.
Under the agreement, First Bus and Stagecoach will lease the depots back from SYMCA.
It is part of the wider bus franchising programme of £350 million that includes depot acquisition, electrification, upgrades and purchase of new fleet.
All depots will receive upgraded power infrastructure and new dynamic charging equipment to support zero emission vehicles.
Staff welfare areas will be refurbished, new office buildings will be built at Ecclesfield and Rawmarsh to replace temporary structures, and Olive Grove depot will undergo essential roof repairs.
Under the new franchised system, SYMCA will set routes, timetables, fares and service standards, with revenue reinvested directly back into improving bus services for local people.
Services will be delivered by operators appointed through a competitive procurement process beginning later this spring.
South Yorkshire’s Mayor Oliver Coppard said: “Bringing every depot into public ownership well in advance of bus franchising means we’re putting real foundations in place for a network that is reliable, affordable and works for all of us.”
