How electric buses could change South Yorkshire for the better

The review released last week and chaired by Clive Betts, MP for Sheffield South East, highlights the failings of the current system and puts forward a series of recommendations on how to improve travel across the region.

Climate change and the impact of buses on pollution was an area raised with the intention of moving away from fossil-fueled buses and a push towards electric and hydrogen vehicles.

The report states that locally, road transport contributes 36 per cent of all CO2 emissions in South Yorkshire.

Nick Fletcher, MP for Don Valley in Doncaster, said: “‘I believe electric buses are a positive step in the right direction which should make transport more environmentally friendly.

“If more and more people choose the bus, even for one or two journeys, then they are helping to reduce the overall carbon footprint.

“The more bus use the better.

“That is why I agree with introducing a system of reduced travel fares for apprentices so they can use the bus as a cheaper and cost-effective option.

“The more we do to support our great apprentices the more likely they are to make green and environmentally conscious choices.

“I also want to see greater choice and connectivity across Don Valley – with more joined-up thinking so there is a greater choice of routes available for local people here in Doncaster.”

The review stated that buses need to play a bigger role in reducing local road transport emissions and tackling climate change.

Although the target for a net-zero emissions public transport network must be achieved by 2035, Commissioners found that not enough was being done to encourage modal shift and incentivise people to use buses for more journeys and on a regular basis.

The report stated that evidence provided by SYPTE showed that only 30.3 per cent of the bus fleet in South Yorkshire is currently Euro six compliant and there are only 36 electric buses in operation in the region – all based in Sheffield.

Olivia Blake, MP for Sheffield Hallam, said: “This important report by Clive Betts has said clearly what many commuters in Sheffield have been experiencing - our bus system is in desperate need of an overhaul.

“I am glad that the review has spoken in favour of taking back our buses under public control, or creating a franchise.

“The public transport system we need is one with low fares, that get people where they need to go and or time.

“We must also have a bus system that can meet our zero-carbon ambitions, and this can only be delivered by a fully public bus network.

“There has been growing pressure for real and meaningful change in our bus network and this report is the first step.”

The report highlights that buses need to be more accessible for young people across the regions in terms of connectivity, reliability, and cost.

Catherine Hollighurt is a founding member of the Doncaster Young Greens, she said: “I am very pleased to see that improvements are being considered for the South Yorkshire bus services.

“I am planning to spend a lot more time commuting to Sheffield from September, but given the current unreliability of the bus service in Doncaster, and the fact that in the past this 3.5 mile journey has taken me up to 50 minutes by bus (including a 20 minute delay), I am already making alternative plans on how else I might do the journey from my house to the train station.

“I find this a great shame since bus travel is a fantastic way to reduce unnecessary damage to the environment and has shown to be an extremely time efficient mode of transport when properly funded.

“I know that there are a number of young people who commute to the universities in Sheffield, as well as Doncaster College, and so it is essential for young people to access successful bus services.

“This should be reflected in the cost of student travel as well as reliability.

“I was delighted to see plans for electric buses in the pipeline; I hope that Doncaster can be a leader in this travel innovation rather than an afterthought.

“Doncaster has great links to other places by rail and air and improving these connections by the means of bus travel is a long overdue venture that would be excellent for the overall improvement of the town.”

The report highlights the link between bus pollution and public health issues.

It states that nitrogen oxides and particulates have been linked to a rise in the number of deaths attributable to pollution and there is increasing evidence from many studies that these pollutants harm human health across the generations.

Links have been made to low birth weight in babies, higher levels of asthma and also dementia in older people.

The biggest source of these pollutants in city regions is diesel engines.

Miriam Cates, MP for Penistone and Stocksbridge, said: “This report highlights a number of issues that we have all experienced with buses across South Yorkshire, and my thanks go to the Mayor Dan Jarvis and Clive Betts MP for their work in compiling it.

“In my own constituency of Penistone and Stocksbridge we have seen first hand the problems of the current system, with routes such as the SL1 being withdrawn with no notice leaving people stranded and unable to get to work or access vital services.

“I am pleased that SYPTE will be properly integrated into the Sheffield City Region Combined Authority.

“Our devolution agenda sees transport as an important part of leveling up our region, and having elected authority over buses is crucial to this.

“But regardless of who runs or oversees the services, buses must be accountable to their communities and responsive to their needs.

“As a local MP I look forward to being more involved in the process going forward and improving public transport across the Penistone and Stocksbridge constituency.”

The commissioner's solution to the bus pollution is to move to a modal system, this means a shift away from private vehicles and more individuals using public transport.

Their recommendation is for South Yorkshire to invest in vehicles that run on cleaner energy sources and are sustainable into the next decade.

However, the commissioners criticised the towns such as Sheffield and Doncaster who have declared climate emergencies but in their eyes are not doing enough to decrease vehicles which are bad for the environment.

The discussion of active travel was also raised in the report this means how can the buses be better functioning for those who wish to walk or cycle part way of their journey.