South Yorkshire outlines transport vision with £1.5bn People’s Network overhaul
South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) has unveiled its long‑term transport vision, backed by a £1.5bn investment, that aims to transform public transport across the region through the creation of the South Yorkshire People’s Network.
image: SYMCA
The initiative sets out a multi‑year plan to deliver an integrated, publicly controlled transport system designed to better connect communities, improve accessibility and support economic growth.
The vision, introduced by South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard, centres on building a transport network that is “joined up, sustainable and serves every community.” It draws on the region’s industrial heritage and is underpinned by six strategic principles: freedom and choice, prioritising people, affordability, supporting growth, future‑ready infrastructure and safety.
People’s Network branding — which will gradually replace the existing Travel South Yorkshire name and identity — uses a distinctive “molten” orange, grey and asphalt black palette intended to reflect South Yorkshire’s history of industry and resilience. The new branding will start to appear across buses, trams, e‑bike schemes, stops, shelters and wayfinding over coming months.
The long‑term programme includes a range of planned improvements and infrastructure investments:
Public takeover of transport services: Trams are already under SYMCA control, and buses will begin transitioning to public franchising from September 2027, with full regional coverage by 2029.
Tram network renewal: An allocated £630m will support the renewal and enhancement of the South Yorkshire Supertram system and related light rail infrastructure.
Bus system reform: Around £350m is earmarked to reform the bus network, bringing operations, timetables, fares and quality standards under SYMCA management.
Wayfinding and infrastructure upgrades: Refurbishment of bus and tram stops, new shelters and integrated wayfinding are planned.
Non‑motorised travel: Expanded walking, wheeling and cycling infrastructure and region‑wide e‑bike hire and subscription initiatives will complement public transport links.
Rail enhancements: Investment linked to Northern Powerhouse Rail seeks to improve fast services between key northern cities, alongside capacity upgrades at Sheffield and Doncaster stations and new stops at Rotherham Gateway and Waverley.
Reopening of Doncaster Sheffield Airport: Support for reopening the region’s main airport is included as part of broader connectivity improvements.
Mayor Oliver Coppard said public transport is about more than simply moving people from one place to another. He said “Transport isn’t just about getting from A to B. A proper public transport network gives people real freedom and choice about how they travel and move, connects people to opportunity and opens up new horizons.
“But public transport in South Yorkshire has been broken for too long. I promised to make change happen, to give South Yorkshire back the world class public transport system we once had, and that’s exactly what we’re doing.
“That’s why we’re putting in a huge investment to fix our public transport system, backed by even greater ambition, so that we can build something that truly works for all of us across South Yorkshire; a real People’s Network.”