NEW ‘ONDEMAND’ SERVICE SET TO TRANSFORM TRAVEL ACROSS DONCASTER AND ROTHERHAM AT CLICK OF A BUTTON  

Published 29 July 2026 at 9:40am

A new flexible public transport service is launching in South Yorkshire this August called OnDemand Powered by South Yorkshire People’s Network and Via, giving residents in Doncaster and Rotherham more ways to travel when and where they need.  

OnDemand is led by South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) and technology partner Via. The pilot will begin operating from 3 August for 12 months across parts of Doncaster and Rotherham.  

The service introduces a new way of travelling, allowing passengers to book shared bus journeys through the OnDemand app up to one week in advance or by phone, with no fixed routes or timetables.  

Designed to improve connections in areas where traditional services are limited, OnDemand will help people access jobs, education, healthcare and key destinations across the region. Unlike conventional bus routes, OnDemand uses intelligent technology to group passengers travelling in the same direction, offering a flexible, efficient and affordable service.  

Fares will start from £3 per journey, with concessions and discounts available, and the service will run Monday to Saturday between 5am and 6pm.  Importantly, the new service has been designed to complement not replace the existing public transport network, helping more people connect to buses, trams and trains across South Yorkshire.   

South Yorkshire’s Mayor Oliver Coppard said:  

“The People’s Network will put people first, making sure everyone in South Yorkshire can get where they need to go, when they need to get there. OnDemand in Doncaster and Rotherham brings that idea to life, with a flexible, modern service built around our everyday lives, not fixed routes or timetables.  

“Whether it’s getting to work, visiting loved ones, making an appointment or accessing education, communities in Doncaster and Rotherham will have more choice and greater control over how to travel. OnDemand is another important step towards building a public transport system that truly works for everyone – the People’s Network.”  

Mayor Ros Jones said: “This pilot initiative will target residents in Askern and the surrounding areas, with a successful trial potentially leading to better bus services and so I greatly encourage residents within the catchment areas to take part in this new initiative.   

 “Adding to the public transport network within Doncaster will allow residents to access greater opportunities in different parts of the city, whether that be to improve education or employment prospects, visit family or attend appointments, greatly benefiting those who may often feel left behind when it comes to opportunities and prospects within the city. I look forward to seeing the results of this pilot in 12-months’ time.”   

Cllr Chris Read, Leader of Rotherham Council, said:  

“It’s great to see this pilot becoming a reality. We know that as bus services have reduced in recent decades, the impact of that has been particularly felt in more rural areas. The way that public transport operates had got to change. That’s why we wanted to prioritise this opportunity for communities to the south of our borough, complementing and enhancing existing public transport, but also offering a flexibility that traditional bus services just can’t provide.  

“So if you’re at home in Todwick or Brookhouse, for example, and you need to get to the Tanyard, Rotherham Hospital or Meadowhall and back, this service provides a new convenient way to do that. I hope that people will give it a go, and their experiences will certainly help us to shape the future of public transport in the borough.”  

The pilot will operate in selected OnDemand zones in Doncaster and Rotherham, with customers able to travel within their area or connect to wider transport hubs.  

Passengers can book journeys up to seven days in advance or as little as one hour before travel using the mobile app or a dedicated contact centre.    

The pilot will run for 12 months, with data and customer feedback used to inform future public transport planning across South Yorkshire.  

Drop-in events to find out more about OnDemand will take place in July and August: 

Doncaster 

•    Askern Community Library Friday 31 July - 10am-1pm. 

•    Norton Coronation WMC Friday 31 July - 1:30-3pm. 

•    Askern Community Library Tuesday 4 August - Time 12-2pm. 

Rotherham 

•    Dinnington Community Library Thursday 30 July - 9:30-2pm.