Extra ‘hot buses’ to ease overcrowding in Barnsley to be phased out
The extra buses were introduced to deal with a surge in demand - after under-18s were granted free bus travel last year
Extra buses brought in to tackle overcrowding on routes across Barnsley will be gradually withdrawn over the coming months, under new transport plans.
The so-called “hot buses”, introduced after a surge in demand linked to free travel for under-18s, will now run at reduced levels until the end of the school year before being phased out completely by July.
Transport bosses from the South Yorkshire Mayoral Authority have approved £121,315 to fund a scaled-back version of the scheme, replacing earlier plans to keep all additional buses running until Easter.
The move confirms an exit strategy already outlined, with services being cut back in stages rather than stopped abruptly.
A SYMCA report added that the gradual reduction is designed to avoid disruption during exam season while keeping costs under control.
At their peak, the extra buses were deployed flexibly across the network to prevent overcrowding and stop passengers being left behind at busy times.
Keeping the full level of support in place would have cost around £197,000 and was ruled out as unaffordable, while a faster withdrawal was rejected over concerns it could lead to overcrowding.
The cost of continuing the reduced service will be recharged to Barnsley Council.
The decision was approved by the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority’s Executive Director of Transport on March 23.