Sheffield Supertram operation to return to public sector
South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority has plans for ‘arm’s length’ firm to take over from Stagecoach from spring 2024.
MEMBERS of South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) have approved proposals for the creation of a new publicly-owned company to operate Sheffield’s Supertram system. There are plans for the organisation, which will be at ‘arm’s length’ from SYMCA, to take over from current operator Stagecoach when its contract ends in March 2024. “Supertram has been part of South Yorkshire’s fabric for nearly 30 years. In the next 30 years, it will play a critical role in helping us reach our net zero goal,” said South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard. “Now, I am pleased to be able to say that it will do so as a publicly-owned, publicly operated venture.”
History
Opened in phases between 1994 and 1995, with the addition of the tram-train link between Meadowhall South/Tinsley and Rotherham Parkgate in 2018, the network consists of 22 route miles. Although the infrastructure has remained in public hands, the running of trams was franchised to Stagecoach in 1997 as local authorities tried to recoup money borrowed to help finance the system’s construction. The return of operational responsibilities to the public sector is part of a wider plan to upgrade Supertram, which (as reported in May’s The RM) includes an initial £100 million phase of modernisation and renewal work. Mr Coppard described it as an “exciting new chapter”, adding that it would help the development of a “long-term, integrated approach” fitting into wider plans for bus, rail, walking and cycling in the region. ■ Tram and bus fares in South Yorkshire were capped at £2.00 for a single journey from November 1. Mr Coppard described the decision to introduce the ceiling two months ahead of an Englandwide £2.00 cap on bus journeys (which is due to apply between January and March) as another step in improving local public transport.