The South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) has appointed Janus Architecture to deliver what it describes as “feasibility designs” for six bus depots in the region as part of preparations for the rollout of franchising.
Those will inform what SYMCA says are decisions on depot acquisition, remediation and electrification works to be overseen by incumbent operators under its strategy for zero-emission fleet readiness.
Four of the depots are owned by Stagecoach Yorkshire, in Barnsley and Rotherham – which already operates battery-electric buses – and two in Sheffield. The others are First Bus sites in Doncaster and Sheffield, with the former of those already owned by SYMCA and leased to the operator.
They have been selected following a validation exercise to assess their strategic importance, capacity, condition, and suitability for future electrification. The First Bus depot at Olive Grove in Sheffield – which is the largest in the region – has been deemed “critical” for delivery of the first tranche of franchising.
SYMCA previously outlined that under a regulated environment, three tranches will be built around ‘anchor’ contracts for routes currently operated from seven major depots in South Yorkshire, complemented by small contracts.
Depots for large contracts, and vehicles, will be owned by the Combined Authority and leased to successful bidders. The seventh large depot in the region that does not form part of the feasibility design work is the TM Travel facility in Sheffield. It is less than a mile from a Stagecoach Yorkshire operating centre.
In its consultation document published in late 2024, SYMCA noted how its desire not to acquire buses that are more than 15 years old for franchising would leave a need for “significant bus renewals… early in the franchise contracts.”
That publication adds an expectation that depot upgrade work between FY2027-28 and FY2031-32 to accommodate zero-emission buses will cost £57.9 million.
The contract with Janus Architecture is worth £112,600. SYMCA says the firm was chosen after showing “exceptional sector specific experience in bus depot electrification and feasibility work.” That includes engagement with Transport for Greater Manchester and the Liverpool City Region, West Midlands and West Yorkshire Combined Authorities.
Rollout of the first franchised bus services in South Yorkshire is due by 1 October 2027, with the three-stage process to be completed by 1 July 2029.
