South Yorkshire is set to take full control of its buses for the first time in nearly 40 years.

Starting in September 2027, the SYMCA will begin to take back control of its routes, fares and timetables across South Yorkshire.

Services will be rolled out in three phases, with full implementation expected by 2030.

The decision follows a 12-week public consultation launched in late October, with 87% of respondents backing franchising.

More than 7,600 took part.

The transition to the new franchising system is expected to cost the SYMCA £25m over the next three years.

Speaking on Tuesday, South Yorkshire’s Mayor, Oliver Coppard, said: “Today, we’ve made history; turning back the tide on the failed experiment of the privatisation of our bus network that was started in the 1980s, putting the public back into public transport.

“When I was elected as South Yorkshire’s Mayor in 2022, I promised to take back control of our buses. Today I’m proud to say that is a promise being kept.”

He says the decision “turns back the tide on the failed experiment” of privatisation in 1986, when the government removed regulations on the bus market outside London, letting private companies compete on bus routes.

Since 2017, metro mayors have had the power to franchise buses, with Greater Manchester recently completing the process, where all buses were painted yellow and branded as the “Bee Network”.

Local Transport Minister Simon Lightwood, said: “I am absolutely delighted that local leaders across South Yorkshire have voted with both hands today to take back control of their buses and give local people the services they deserve.

“Through our incoming Bus Services Bill, we are determined to unlock this opportunity for communities up and down the country that have been cut off from reliable local transport for far too long.”

First Bus strongly supports the plan, saying it would improve control over service standards. However, Sheffield-based TM Travel, fears smaller bus operators could be left out.

Councillor Ben Miskell, chair of Sheffield City Council’s transport, regeneration and climate policy committee, said: “Sheffield is undergoing a major transformation, with thousands of new homes and jobs and exciting new venues and public spaces coming to life.

“To support this growth, we need a reliable, accessible transport network that helps people get around quickly and easily.”