OVERWHELMING support for buses to be brought back into public control following years of route cuts and unreliable services has been received ahead of a crunch meeting next week.

The results of a 12-week consultation revealed 75.2 per cent of the almost 8,000 passengers who took part were strongly in favour of franchising, with just 3.7 per cent - including Stagecoach, Barnsley’s main operator - opposing the proposal.

Under bus franchising, the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) would take control of the bus network including depots, bus fleets, routes, timetables, service standards, tickets and fare-setting.

Currently, bus companies have jurisdiction over routes, fares and standards but re-regulation would reverse that.

At a meeting on Tuesday, South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard will discuss the next steps, although the Chronicle understands he will support campaigners’ calls for the franchising model.

A report said: “Bus services are fundamental in supporting the SYMCA’s ambitions to drive economic growth and to improve the prosperity, health and environment for people.

“However, bus services have experienced a long-term cycle of decline, an issue that was exacerbated by the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“One of the effects of this has been a growing reliance on public funding to sustain bus service levels.

“Bus franchising would mean that SYMCA would take on new responsibilities in relation to the bus system, such as owning the buses and depots, deciding on the routes operated, timetables, the fares charged, the brand and the pace of change towards decarbonisation, with the mayor having overall accountability for bus services.

“As a result, the SYMCA would take on the revenue risk for the bus system and would be responsible for future investment decisions.

“We’re grateful to people for their level of engagement with the bus reform consultation and for taking the time to read the information and feedback on the proposals.

“It is clear that there is significant public support for the proposed franchising scheme.”

Barnsley Council also pledged its support of the scheme and in its response to the consultation stated that a reliable bus system was ‘vital’, while campaigners from the Better Buses For South Yorkshire and We Own It groups welcomed the SYMCA’s post-consultation stance.

Jump-based Fran Postlethwaite, from the group, said: “These figures and the recommendation to franchise our region’s buses are a huge victory for communities.

“People have voted - we want our buses back.

“For too long we’ve faced managed decline from private bus operators focussed on controlling a market rather than meeting the needs of our communities.

“If Mayor Coppard finalises this decision to franchise he will effectively turn the ignition for a gear-change for local services.

“Based on Manchester’s experience we’re set for more frequent buses, simpler tickets and more buses turning up on time.

“Thousands of passengers have taken action with our campaign and we will continue to call for franchised control to give bus users a direct say over the services we rely on.”

We Own It’s Matthew Topham added: “Passengers up and down the region have campaigned for a return to franchised control to put strategic decisions about our bus network back in local hands.

“But sadly this will still leave key every day decisions with the head offices of the private operators.

“The country’s best bus companies are in full council ownership, with all decisions accountable to local people.

“Reading has the highest passenger numbers outside London, Blackpool leads on reliability and Nottingham has repeatedly received the award for best operator.

“In London, where bus services have always been franchised, the mayor is looking to establish a new local authority-owned bus company to take over the franchised network, reinvesting all the profits to pay for more services and improvements.

“South Yorkshire is at a crossroads: strive for excellent bus services or follow the path of least resistance.

“Let’s follow through and get full public ownership of all our transport.”