The South Yorkshire Supertram is now under public control for the first time since 1997 after the contract with Stagecoach comes to an end.
South Yorkshire Mayor, Oliver Coppard said: “Today is a historic day for South Yorkshire; it’s one small step for tram, but it’s the first step in our journey back to a public transport system that puts people first, connecting our communities and helping us to build a bigger and better economy.”
The South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) announced they have ‘new and ambitious’ plans to improve the tram system, whilst making them ‘cleaner, greener and safer’ remains a priority.
They say big changes will not be immediate, but small steps will be made to welcome the transition.
This includes a 10% discount on some fares for the first 100 days of operation and 28-day adult and child tickets purchased onboard or through the new app.
The tram network is an integral part of the city, covering 21 miles with a tram-train extension connecting people to Rotherham.
Darren Lowitt, 34, works in the city centre and said: “I’m happy to hear news of a takeover, as transport has not been reliable in and out of the city for a long time.”
The aim is to transform Sheffield into a ‘fully integrated public transport system’ creating easier access all around the city.
Oliver Coppard said: “We’re inheriting a Supertram that simply hasn’t had the investment it has needed for far too long. So today we start to turn that around.
“I’m determined to give people more freedom and choice about how they travel and move across the whole of South Yorkshire. Today is a big step on that journey.”
A new tram stop at Magna in Rotherham and further transport to Derbyshire regions remains a possibility.
The South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority said: “One in three people in South Yorkshire do not have access to a car, and with a target to achieve carbon net zero before 2040 and clean up the air quality, the intent is to get more people to use public transport and make it a more positive experience.”
Read the full list of steps announced by SYMCA here.
