South Yorkshire Plans £25m Bus Depot Redesign Ahead Public Control

South Yorkshire is preparing for a publicly controlled bus network through a franchising model, with six major depots in Sheffield, Barnsley, Rotherham, and Doncaster set for redesign to accommodate electric buses and new infrastructure. The franchising system, costing £25 million over three years, will centralize control over routes, timetables, and fares, requiring bus companies to bid for contracts rather than operating services independently. Meanwhile, in England, Liberal Democrats have criticized the Labour government for rejecting an amendment to remove time restrictions on free bus travel passes for disabled people, accusing it of failing to support disabled individuals' access to transportation. The Department for Transport clarified there are currently no plans for national free rail or bus passes for NHS staff, though local authorities may offer concessions, and future reviews under Great British Railways might revisit fare policies. In Oxfordshire, the X32 bus service between Didcot, Oxford city center, and the John Radcliffe Hospital has increased frequency to every 20 minutes on weekdays, funded by Milton Park and Oxfordshire County Council to support NHS workers, commuters, and reduce congestion and emissions.