Campaigners urge stronger public voice in South Yorkshire transport decisions

Bus campaigners have called on leaders behind the newly launched South Yorkshire People’s Network to ensure passengers and frontline workers are directly involved in shaping the region’s public transport system.

The call came as campaign group Better Buses for South Yorkshire staged a rally outside a South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) board meeting in Sheffield on March 24.

At the event, campaigner Chris Bainbridge presented a petition backed by more than 1,250 individuals and 24 organisations. The petition calls for the creation of a South Yorkshire Transport Board that would include representatives from passenger groups, transport workers, community organisations and disability advocates.

The proposed board would work alongside the mayor and local authorities, providing a structured way for public and industry voices to influence decision-making and service improvements.

Earlier in the meeting, Mayor Oliver Coppard outlined his vision for the newly branded South Yorkshire People’s Network, describing it as a shift away from a system where services declined and costs increased, towards one focused on passengers.

He said the aim was to put people at the centre of transport policy, alongside continued investment in trams, active travel and major rail schemes such as Northern Powerhouse Rail.

While welcoming the new branding and direction, campaigners stressed that meaningful public involvement must go beyond consultation. Bainbridge described the network as a positive step but argued that giving communities a formal role in decision-making would be the next stage in rebuilding a high-quality transport system.

He highlighted that those who rely on buses—or work within the system—bring valuable, practical insight that could help shape better services.

Mayor Coppard acknowledged the importance of ongoing engagement, pointing to previous consultations on bus franchising, tram policies and vehicle design as examples of involving the public. He reiterated a commitment to strengthening that approach, ensuring that community voices continue to play a key role in future transport decisions.