A Rotherham councillor has launched a campaign to allow taxis and private hire vehicles to use the town’s bus lanes — a move he says would bring the borough in line with neighbouring authorities.
Cllr Simon Ball has tabled a motion calling for Rotherham Council to review its current traffic regulations and permit both hackney carriages and private hire vehicles to use designated bus lanes.
He argues that the change would reflect “best practice” across South Yorkshire, where nearby councils already recognise licensed taxis as part of the public transport network.
The motion states:
“Rotherham should not lag behind its South Yorkshire neighbours in supporting vital public transport services.”
Cllr Ball’s proposal highlights that:
- Sheffield City Council allows taxis to use bus lanes and gates, classing them as essential public transport alongside buses and bicycles.
- Doncaster Council permits “authorised taxis” to share bus lanes with buses and cycles during restricted hours, with enforcement in place to ensure compliance.
- Barnsley Council, by contrast, continues to restrict lanes solely to buses and occasionally cyclists, despite repeated requests from the local taxi trade since 2013.
Cllr Ball said this demonstrates an opportunity for Rotherham to take a “progressive stance” and modernise its policy.
“Allowing licensed taxis to use bus lanes would bring tangible benefits for Rotherham’s residents, economy and environment,” he explained.
“It would mean faster, more reliable journeys, reduced congestion and improved access for commuters, shift workers and those attending medical appointments.”
He added that the measure would “align Rotherham with best practices in sustainable and efficient urban mobility, benefiting the community without compromising bus priority.”
The councillor will formally request that the council conducts a public consultation within the next three months to assess public and trade support for the proposal.
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