Local transport minister, Norman Baker, has paid tribute to efforts underway in Sheffield to boost bus services through partnership working between operators and the council.

The minister visited the city on Wednesday (21 November) to oversee the signing of a bus partnership agreement between Sheffield City Council, the South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive and local operators First and Stagecoach.

Mr Baker said: ‘The Sheffield bus agreement is good news for the city and shows what can be achieved when local councils, bus operators and transport authorities work together for the benefit of passengers. This partnership will transform passengers’ experience by making bus travel easier and cheaper.’

The deal will see fare reductions, multi-operator ticketing, better coordination of services and integration with the city’s tram network. It is hoped the improvements will boost public transport patronage and reduce congestion and air pollution in the city.

According to the scheme’s promoters, the city-wide agreement combines various legal powers to become the most complex and geographically far reaching partnership of its kind in the UK.

Cllr Leigh Bramall, Sheffield’s cabinet member for transport, said: ‘It is great news to see operators working together to help reduce bus fares. We need to get as many people as possible on public transport and keeping fares low will help achieve this by making it a more attractive option.’

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