Image: Cllr Ben Miskell stands next to zero-emission bus. Source: Sheffield City Council

A proposal to invest in more electric buses in Sheffield city centre has attracted praise and criticism from residents.

The City Council announced plans to deliver an extra 30 to 40 zero-emission buses running routes into the city centre on 12 February.

Councillor Ben Miskell, chair of the Transport, Regeneration and Climate Policy Committee at Sheffield City Council, said: “The introduction of more electric buses will be a major milestone as we continue to clean up the air we breathe and improve the passenger experience.”

It is hoped the move to electric buses will improve air quality, which currently leads to around 500 premature deaths each year in Sheffield, according to a council action plan.

The council’s Facebook post introducing these plans met with a mixed response from Sheffield locals.

Commenting on the post, Chris O’Grady said: “All buses should absolutely be electric, if only to  improve the air quality surrounding them and noise they generate.

“You don’t have to be a pedestrian or cyclist in a city for long to realise that diesel buses are a massive problem to general peace in the urban landscape.”

Meanwhile, Jane Stadonland commented: “It’s a good idea and it means anyone who struggles with their health can get down to the Moor and back again easily.”

Residents also expressed concern online for how often the service will be used.

Sheffield Connect, a similar free electric bus service in the city, launched in 2024. Referring to the project, one local said: “It’s another waste of money, they’re always empty.”

Cllr Miskell added: “We’re increasingly more mindful of how public transport works for everyone, including blind people.”

According to government figures, since the Clean Air Zone was introduced in Sheffield in February 2023, the amount of Nitrogen Dioxide in the air has decreased by an average of 16%. 

The council have said they are keen to continue their plan to clean up the city’s air.