The South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority has launched a procurement process for a new fleet of buses that will operate under the region’s planned bus franchising system.
The authority is seeking a manufacturer to build and supply vehicles that will be introduced when franchising begins in 2027. Under the proposed model, decisions about routes, timetables and ticketing across Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield will be made locally.
The fleet specification has been informed by public consultation. More than 3,500 residents provided feedback on safety and accessibility features during a survey conducted between November and December 2025.
Manufacturers bidding for the contract will be required to incorporate several features in the vehicle design. These include dedicated spaces for wheelchairs and pushchairs, low floors with step-free boarding, audio and visual next-stop announcements, additional handrails and grab points, closed-circuit television coverage, and improved interior lighting and visibility.
Matt Goggins, Director of Bus Franchising at SYMCA said:We’ve listened carefully to passengers and worked closely with bus drivers, accessibility groups, trade unions and industry experts to develop a specification which represents what people want from buses in South Yorkshire.
We’re now inviting manufacturers from across the UK and overseas to bid to build them. It’s a fair and open process and we’re focused on securing the best deal for people in South Yorkshire.
Survey responses also indicated that passengers placed priority on services running on time and the availability of clear, real-time travel information.
The introduction of franchising will be phased across the region. Buses in Doncaster and most of Sheffield are scheduled to come under public control in September 2027. Services in Barnsley and Rotherham are expected to follow in 2028, with the remainder of Sheffield scheduled for 2029.
Passengers are expected to see initial changes from 2027, including revised standards for reliability and punctuality, a single contact centre for bus service information, simplified ticketing and the gradual introduction of the new fleet.
At least 30 percent of the new buses are planned to be fully electric. Older vehicles will be replaced progressively as the fleet is introduced.
