Demand your leaders make public control the preferred option in January 2024!

South Yorkshire's leaders are going to vote on whether or not public control is their preferred option for you buses "in early 2024" — their next meeting is on January 9th.

You could just have a few weeks to make sure they back plans to make your buses work for people and planet, not just for profit. And don't forget, they'll be making their decisions now before the formal meeting.

Email all the council leaders now asking them to make public control a top priority.

Mayor Oliver Coppard

Mayor Ros Jones (Doncaster)

Cllr Chris Read (Rotherham)

Cllr Tom Hunt (Sheffield)

Cllr Stephen Houghton (Barnsley)

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Your role as a member of our devolution deal in South Yorkshire is key to delivering one of my top priorities: buses that work for people, not profit. 
With the impending next step toward bus franchising, can you assure me that you'll endorse the plan's advancement? Your continued support is crucial for our community's transportation future. 
We've lost 15% of our local bus network in the last year. Things can't go on like this.
My community contains a lot of poverty. Many don't own a car. The buses are essential for ending this unfair situation and getting people in to work.
I’m also concerned for our health and environment, as <a href="https://www.thestar.co.uk/news/politics/council/5-per-cent-of-adult-deaths-in-south-yorkshire-linked-to-air-pollution-2923600">1 in 20 deaths in South Yorkshire</a> are linked to air pollution, particularly for the least well off.
In Jersey, franchising saw passenger numbers grow 32% in three years, which would mean more money from fares and less from the local council to subsidise services. Can you imagine the benefit to our councils of a similar growth under franchising here?
I know that you are under strain as a local leader to fund the services our communities need.  I agree you should never have been put in this position. I’m grateful you have used SYMCA reserves to protect our transport services.
But I want you to know, buses are a key priority for me, my neighbours, and my family. I want you to make them a priority too. As local councils, you do have funding at your disposal to deliver big projects, such as <a href="https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/politics/barnsley-council-set-to-buy-alhambra-shopping-centre-in-ps45-million-deal-4352904">buying local assets</a>. Public control must be one of them.
For instance, our region is about to receive a further <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/news/prime-minister-puts-local-people-in-control-of-more-than-1-billion-with-long-term-plan-for-left-behind-towns">£60 million through Town Deals</a>. This money is earmarked for local priorities, with the top example being “improving transport and connections.”
So please, at your Mayoral Authority meeting on January 9th, announce your support for moving forward on public control of our local transport.

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