'Take back our buses' campaign draws 1,000 signatures
A petition to 'take back' Sheffield’s bus system has been signed by over 1000 people as of this week.
ACORN Sheffield is campaigning to franchise bus services in the city, giving the public control over routes, fares and ticketing.
The campaign began in July as a response to public concerns about the current state of the city's buses.
Do you know what people in Sheffield are really, really concerned about right now? Buses. The lack of them and unreliable services. Constant questions and complaints from the public at full council
— Lucy Ashton (@LutheBlue) September 4, 2019
Jamie Sims, Communications Officer for ACORN, said: “There’s a lot of problems with the current bus services.
“Often buses don’t even turn up that are scheduled and more specifically there’s a lot of areas that don’t have a good bus service.”
Photo Credit: Acorn
Photo Credit: Acorn
Photo Credit: Acorn
Photo Credit: Acorn
Currently, private bus service operators are in charge of fares and selecting routes. It's only via public money that less popular routes are funded.
Mr Sims said: “We at ACORN believe that the fundamental problem is privatisation and this drive for profits by bus companies”
Manchester is set to take buses into public control.
— ACORN Sheffield (@acorn_sheffield) October 1, 2019
Bus companies: "It will cost taxpayer millions"
Manchester Council officers yesterday:
"Are councils going to have to put their council tax up to pay for that amount? The answer is no."
https://t.co/GeGDcN5iwV
This petition follows a similar one in Manchester that has gained enough signatures to proceed with a franchising model. ACORN hopes to replicate this success here in Sheffield.
The campaign is directed at Mayor Dan Jarvis, who ACORN believe has not followed through on promises to improve public transport.
Photo Credit: Acorn
Photo Credit: Acorn
Mr Jarvis has responded to ACORN's concerns: “I have made transport a key priority and my ambition is to increase the number of people using buses and the quality and frequency of services.
“Services also need to be affordable. I know that for many people they are not.”
In his role as Metropolitan Mayor, Mr Jarvis has launched a ‘bus consultation’ to allow members of the public to give their opinions.
“I believe it is right that we first understand the causes of declining patronage, rather than pre-judging the outcome and what the potential solutions might be,” Mr Jarvis added.
Buses in Sheffield are an absolute joke. Massive queue of people waiting more than 30 minutes on one of the most frequently served routes in the city ...
— George Torr (@GeorgeTorr_) October 14, 2019
ACORN Sheffield have launched a campaign to bring South Yorkshire’s buses under public control. They're right that bus services should prioritise passengers, not profit.
— Louise Haigh MP (@LouHaigh) August 27, 2019
You can help plan Acorn's campaign at a meeting on Sunday & sign their petition here: https://t.co/2iigfkBJ7x https://t.co/C0FzBEol1G
@FirstSouthYorks My daughter waited 35 mins for a bus which should be every 10 min (51, Sheffield) making her late for school. This is a regular occurrence and when the buses do turn up, they’re often filthy. Absolutely disgusting service . £30 a week it costs me! Sort it out FB!
— Stacy Marshall (@stacymarshall80) October 21, 2019
#Sheffield - have your say on the buses! (I've got many No 120 horror stories ... sure you have similar.) https://t.co/ajh52YbU7j
— Natalie Bennett (@natalieben) June 6, 2019
Simple question @SCR_Mayor why are passes to use all the buses in Sheffield cheaper than for Rotherham?#rotherhamiswonderful pic.twitter.com/FC0YEwXmbO
— Michael Sylvester (@Michael94369648) September 11, 2019
Photo Credit: Dan Jarvis
Photo Credit: Dan Jarvis
