Tender

Provision and Operation of Local Bus Services across South Yorkshire

SOUTH YORKSHIRE MAYORAL COMBINED AUTHORITY

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

16 Dec 2025 at 14:36

Summary of the contracting process

The South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) is inviting tenders for the provision and operation of local bus services across South Yorkshire. The procurement process is currently in the tender stage, and it falls under the services category, specifically the hire of passenger transport vehicles with drivers. The tender follows an open procedure with all necessary documentation available via the ProContract portal, under reference DN800777. The enquiry period closes on 7th January 2026, and submissions are due by 14th January 2026. Award decisions will be made by 9th February 2026. The contract, valued gross at £28,200,000, is set to commence on 12th April 2026 and end on 4th September 2027, with a maximum extent until September 2029.

This tender presents substantial business growth opportunities for companies specialising in transport services and those capable of offering social value within their operations. The project is suitable for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) as well as voluntary community and social enterprises (VCSE), given its emphasis on quality and price criteria—a notable emphasis being a 90% weight on price. This procurement process sets the stage for future franchise opportunities anticipated in 2026. With its substantial value and strategic significance in the public transport sector, businesses with expertise and innovation in passenger transport services may find this a lucrative opportunity to expand their operations and establish a presence in the South Yorkshire region.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Provision and Operation of Local Bus Services across South Yorkshire

Notice Description

South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) are currently seeking tenders from companies who are interested in operating local bus including services in South Yorkshire. Participants are asked to note this opportunity is not the planned franchise opportunities which will be launched in 2026.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Renewal: The routes advertised in this opportunity will form what is tendered during the SYMCA Bus Franchise Programme. It is planned that the routes linked to the above will commence 5 Sept 2027 but these will be in a phased approach.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05f6dd
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/083434-2025
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

60 - Transport services (excl. Waste transport)


CPV Codes

60170000 - Hire of passenger transport vehicles with driver

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£23,500,000 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
£23,500,000 £10M-£100M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
16 Dec 20251 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
14 Jan 20263 weeks to go
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
11 Apr 2026 - 4 Sep 2027 1-2 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Active
Lots Status
Active
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
SOUTH YORKSHIRE MAYORAL COMBINED AUTHORITY
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
jill.smith@southyorkshire-ca.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
SHEFFIELD
Postcode
S1 2BQ
Post Town
Sheffield
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLE Yorkshire and The Humber
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLE3 South Yorkshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLE32 Sheffield
Delivery Location
TLE3 South Yorkshire

Local Authority
Sheffield
Electoral Ward
City
Westminster Constituency
Sheffield Central

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts.

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