SOUTH YORKSHIRE FARE HIKES SPARK ANGER FROM POLITICIANS

Politicians hit out at plans for near 10% fare hikes by South Yorkshire transport operators.

Passengers in South Yorkshire are set to be hit by further cost-of-living pressures, following imminent fare hike plans from public transport companies.

Politicians blasted the blow to communities today – as TravelMaster shared plans for a near 10% increase on tickets across the region’s bus, tram and train passes and Supertram announced an 8% increase on some tickets from 2 January. 

It comes as the £2 fare cap introduced by Mayor Coppard and fellow South Yorkshire leaders has saved passengers a combined £500,000 over more than one million journeys since its roll out in November. 

Regional leaders have called the plans ‘hugely disappointing’ for South Yorkshire families in the current cost-of-living crisis:

South Yorkshire’s Mayor, Oliver Coppard, said:

“Across our region this winter, all too many people are worrying about the cost-of-living crisis. At the same time we’re trying to cut congestion and air pollution. That’s why this decision is both short sighted and hugely disappointing. It flies in the face of everything we are collectively trying to achieve; a public transport system that our communities can have faith in. 

“I understand every business has to balance its books. But if these companies do want to get people back on public transport we need affordable, simpler fares. Plans to hike bus fares by nearly 10%, at a time when public transport reliability is still so poor, and when bus companies just cut 15% of the network, are simply not good enough. 

“This is yet more evidence that our public transport system is broken, and we need to see transformational change here in South Yorkshire. That’s exactly what I intend to deliver.”  
 
Earlier this year, South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) stepped in with a £12.3m rescue package to protect bus routes and school services from cuts by operators. A boost to save passengers up to 50% on some trips and reduce the cost of journeys that cost more than £2 followed under the Mayor’s fare cap scheme.