SOUTH YORKSHIRE MOVES FORWARD ON DEMAND RESPONSIVE TRANSPORT WITH £800,000 TENDER OPPORTUNITY

Published 23 February 2026 at 10:08am

Communities across Doncaster and Rotherham will soon be better connected as a pilot scheme for a new style of public transport service gets underway. 

South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) has this week issued an Invitation to Tender (ITT) to provide Demand Responsive Transport (DRT) services across Rotherham and Doncaster.
DRT is a flexible form of public transport designed to improve access for communities where traditional fixed route bus services are limited. Passengers can directly book shared transport either on-demand or in advance - helping people access employment and education opportunities, healthcare, and other essential services, as well as just for going shopping, or visiting friends and families. 

The contract for the 12-month pilot scheme, valued at £800,000 overall, is now open for bids from qualified transport operators.

South Yorkshire’s Mayor, Oliver Coppard said: “I know how important reliable, accessible transport is for everyone across Rotherham and Doncaster, so we’re taking a positive step towards meeting those needs.

“We’re trying something new - a flexible service in those places where there isn’t enough demand for a regular bus route, but where we need to get to work, to school, to appointments or to see friends and family. It’s about finding practical, sustainable ways of making sure you’re not cut off from the essential services you rely on.

“What we need now are innovative, experienced operators to work with us as we test this new approach supporting our ambition for a fairer, inclusive and more accessible South Yorkshire.”

The DRT contract will support ongoing work to ensure that every part of South Yorkshire has access to efficient, reliable public transport, in line with national guidance set out by the Department for Transport.

Mayor of Doncaster Ros Jones said: “It is vital that residents are well connected to our city’s various services and offerings wherever they may be. After all, having access to convenient, reliable and affordable transport can unlock everything from employment and education opportunities to healthcare services, shopping and leisure.

“Demand Responsive Transport can help with this, by meeting the travel needs of those who might not otherwise be catered for by local bus routes.” 

Cllr Chris Read, Leader of Rotherham Council: “We welcome this pilot. By working closely with SYMCA, we’re bringing a smarter transport option to Rotherham that helps plug gaps in the network and makes everyday journeys easier.

 “It will strengthen local connections and support the long term improvements we’re driving forward for Rotherham’s transport network, giving people quicker, more reliable links into the wider public transport system.”

It is expected that the new service would be operational by Summer 2026. 

The DRT pilot scheme is the latest initiative funded by SYMCA’s Transport Innovation Fund (TIF) which is supporting innovative transport projects in each of South Yorkshire’s four local authority areas. Previous projects backed by the Fund have been the Barnsley taxi CCTV scheme and the shuttle bus service pilot scheme around Stocksbridge.