TRANSPORT bosses have outlined plans to buy a ‘significant amount’ of new buses as part of a long-term project to overhaul the local public transport system.

South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) members met on Tuesday to discuss the next steps for long-awaited franchising, which will put bus ownership back under public control.

The county’s current 750-strong fleet is set to be modernised, with a study set to be undertaken as soon as this autumn to procure more zero-emission vehicles.

As the Chronicle revealed last week, the franchising programme is working to milestones which set Barnsley’s roll-out for 2028.

An SYMCA report said: “Bus franchising is working to a timeframe which will see the first franchised services operating from September 2027.

“This is expected to include the procurement of a significant number of new buses.

“The assessment was based on 30 per cent and as such, during autumn 2025, SYMCA will need to set a fleet strategy and a specification for new buses.

“The intention is for new buses to support cleaner air, improve accessibility, enhance safety, improve the citizen experience and

carry a new transport brand.

“Engagement with people who live here will be a key feature of

the delivery programme.

“It is expected that in the initial stages this engagement will focus on the citizen experience strategy, priorities for the network and the design and features of new buses.

“Franchising will mean that the SYMCA will 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 Mayor Oliver Coppard having overall accountability for bus services.

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

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

Better Buses For South Yorkshire a group set up to urge and see through franchising launched a petition to ensure passengers’ thoughts are kept are at the forefront of the process.

A statement added: “We welcome the decision taken in March 2025 to franchise our bus services.

“This will mean SYMCA will take control of bus routes, timetables and fares and own the bus depots and fleets.

“It will end the power of the bus companies to make decisions based only on the need to increase profits, not on the needs of communities.

“We want to see meaningful public consultation in how the franchised system is developed, organised and run.

“We believe that those impacted by decisions about services, including passengers and bus workers, should be involved in making those decisions.

“We call on the SYMCA to set up a decision-making transport board which would include representatives of bus user groups, workers in the industry, community organisations, disability groups and other civil society bodies to work alongside the mayor and elected council representatives.

“Buses matter to people and their communities their experiences and ideas should help shape the future of our services.”