South Yorkshire public transport network facing cuts

Date: 9/4/2013

Front-line public transport services in South Yorkshire are set to be hit by the next round of funding cuts, The Star reports.

With the (SYPTE) South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive having already reduced its workforce by more than 24 per cent and made cutbacks worth £6.2 million over the last three years, it is now thought that a number of unprofitable routes could be cancelled.

Indeed, while previous cuts have only affected back-room operations, it is expected that further decreases in the budget will begin to have a direct impact on customers.

SYPTE Director General David Brown admitted that a number of rural and late night services may have to be discontinued as the local authorities prepare for fresh funding restrictions.

"Although we do not know the extent of the next round of budget cuts, only so many back-room cuts can be made," he explained.

"Largely, the public will not have noticed the cuts we have made, but in the future the areas to be affected will be 'customer-facing' services, which could include the cancellation of some routes."

Posted by Sarah Bailey

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