A molten orange, grey and asphalt black livery looks set to be seen across trams and buses in South Yorkshire as part of a new South Yorkshire People’s Network brand, recently unveiled by Oliver Coppard, Mayor of South Yorkshire.
The new brand is part of the Mayor’s Vision for the region’s new transport network, which will see not only trams but bus services (from next year) operated under the Mayoral Combined Authority. Its all part of it becoming “a joined up, sustainable transport system, that serves every community. One that’s reliable, affordable, welcoming and easy to use, and one that puts people at the heart of every decision.”
The South Yorkshire People’s Network will be built around six key principles:
- Freedom and Choice – connecting people to where they want to go
- Prioritising people
- Affordable
- Matching growth ambitions – creating jobs, opportunities and investing in communities
- Fit for the future
- Safe and easy to use
Oliver Coppard said: “Transport isn’t just about getting from A to B. A proper public transport network gives people real freedom and choice about how they travel and move, connects people to opportunity and opens up new horizons.
“But public transport in South Yorkshire has been broken for too long. I promised to make change happen, to give South Yorkshire back the world class public transport system we once had, and that’s exactly what we’re doing.
“That’s why we’re putting in a huge investment to fix our public transport system, backed by even greater ambition, so that we can build something that truly works for all of us across South Yorkshire; a real People’s Network.”
The new brand will first be seen across bus stops, shelters and interchanges, on frontline tram staff uniforms and on a new South Yorkshire People’s Network website, replacing Travel South Yorkshire by the end of the year. Then from 2027 it will appear on buses under SYMCA control, bus driver uniforms, across the tram network (including on the current fleet of trams and tram-trains), the Mayor’s South Yorkshire wide E-bike subscription service, and Sheffield City Council’s E-bike hire scheme.
Whilst South Yorkshire People’s Network will be rolled out as the overarching brand for the region, Supertram will remain as a sub-brand. The main change being the colour scheme.
As part of the announcement its also been confirmed that the following improvements/enhancements/changes will be seen on the tram and tram-train network:
- Magna Tram-Train station opening to the public imminently
- Refurbishment of stops and shelters beginning this year, as well as new bus and tram shelters with an iconic design that reflects the regions ambition and sets a new benchmark for user-led design, innovation and beauty
- Simplified tickets available on newly franchised bus services with new integrated tram and bus tickets.
- Exploration of tram extensions, supported by £7.5m from government to develop plans
Further ahead into the 2030s:
- Rotherham Gateway railway station and tram stop
- A full fleet of 25 new trams
- Expansion of the tram-train network
The way the brand shows up across the entire transport network is still being finalised and SYMCA wants people to help shape this. There will be opportunities for the pubic to provide feedback to help guide improvements and support more reliable journeys for everyone.
The new colours have apparently been chosen as a nod to the industrial routes of the region: steel, coal and the kind of Northern grit that keeps the area going.