--- title: "South Yorkshire Bus Franchising Phase One" ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-059d1d" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-059d1d" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-059d1d.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-059d1d.json" source: "Find A Tender Service" current_stage: "Tender" buyer: "SOUTH YORKSHIRE MAYORAL COMBINED AUTHORITY" published: "2026-04-02" --- # South Yorkshire Bus Franchising Phase One Buyer: SOUTH YORKSHIRE MAYORAL COMBINED AUTHORITY Current stage: Tender OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-059d1d [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-059d1d) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-059d1d.json) ## Summary The South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority is actively seeking tenders for the "South Yorkshire Bus Franchising Phase One." Operating under an active status, this procurement involves franchising bus services across South Yorkshire with two distinct lots: Olive Grove Depot in Sheffield and Leger Way Depot in Doncaster. The procurement is categorised under services with a focus on public road transport services and hire of buses and coaches with driver. The competitive flexible procedure is open to all operators keen on bidding, with the tender process segmented into stages including an Invitation to Participate and an Invitation to Negotiate. Critical deadlines include the tender period ending on 5 May 2026 and an enquiry period concluding on 22 April 2026. The contract is above the threshold and covered by the GPA, inviting broad interest from qualified providers. This tender opens lucrative opportunities for businesses specialising in public transport services or vehicle hire with skilled drivers. Businesses that can operate and maintain depot facilities efficiently and meet quality and social value criteria are well-suited to compete. As the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority offers substantial contracts with potential for renewal, participating in the bidding process could pave the way for long-term growth and scaling within the transport sector. The tender is designed to attract operators capable of delivering both quality services and competitive pricing, giving those adept in managing flexible procedures an opportunity to establish themselves within the regional transport network. The involvement of the authority and the structured competitive procedure ensures a fair yet comprehensive assessment of potential bidders. ## Notice South Yorkshire Bus Franchising Phase One: Operators are invited to submit tenders for the delivery of franchised bus services across South Yorkshire. This procurement comprises two lots: Lot 1 - Service delivery from Olive Grove Depot (Sheffield) Lot 2 - Service delivery from Leger Way Depot (Doncaster) Comprehensive requirements, specifications and submission instructions are set out within the Invitation to Participate' ### Lot Information Lot 1 - Olive Grove Depot - Sheffield SYMCA require a bidder to operate and maintain the relevant depot and associated facilities at Olive Grove Depot within Sheffield, as provided by SYMCA, and to deliver the franchised bus services operated from that depot for the duration of contract term. Renewal: Option of a 2 year extension subject to the authority's discretion. Lot 2 Leger Way Depot - Doncaster SYMCA require a bidder to operate and maintain the relevant depot and associated facilities at Leger Way Depot within Doncaster, as provided by SYMCA, and to deliver the franchised bus services operated from that depot for the duration of contract term. Renewal: Option of a 2 year extension subject to the authority's discretion. ### Planning Information South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority is inviting bus operators to attend a Pre-Market Engagement Day 12 November 2025, to find out more about bidding for the first tranche of franchised bus services in South Yorkshire. Background In March 2025, Mayor Oliver Coppard confirmed the decision to franchise the South Yorkshire bus network. Now, the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) is preparing for a new era of bus services across Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield. The first services will begin in Sheffield and Doncaster in September 2027, 09:30 - 14:30 Wednesday 12 November 2025 Sheffield - location to be confirmed (Please note: this is an in-person event). During this event, the bus franchising team at South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority will: Share our vision and project timelines Explain how procurement and contracting will work Introduce the team behind the plans Ask for bus operators views and feedback in shaping our journey. Further information can be found via ProContract, Ref DN791163. Who this event is for: This event is in-person and open to any bus operator who is interested in providing bus services in South Yorkshire. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Find A Tender Service | | Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/031084-2026 | | Notice type | UK4 - Tender Notice | | Procurement type | Standard | | Procurement category | Services | | Procurement method | Open | | Procurement method details | Competitive flexible procedure | | Tender suitability | SME, VCSE | | Awardee scale | Not specified | | All stages | Planning, Tender | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 2 Apr 2026 | | Submission deadline | 5 May 2026 | | Future notice date | 1 May 2026 | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | 4 Sep 2027 - 4 Sep 2032 | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £522,582,458 | | Lots value | £522,582,458 | | Awards value | Not specified | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Active | | Lots status | Active | | Awards status | Not specified | | Contracts status | Not specified | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | SOUTH YORKSHIRE MAYORAL COMBINED AUTHORITY | | Locality | SHEFFIELD | | Post town | Sheffield | | Postcode | S1 2BQ | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLE Yorkshire and The Humber | | ITL 2 | TLE3 South Yorkshire | | ITL 3 | TLE32 Sheffield | | Local authority | Sheffield | | Electoral ward | City | | Westminster constituency | Sheffield Central | | Delivery location | TLE3 South Yorkshire, TLE31 Barnsley, Doncaster and Rotherham, TLE32 Sheffield | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 60 - Transport services (excl. Waste transport) ### Codes - 60112000 - Public road transport services - 60172000 - Hire of buses and coaches with driver ## Release History - 2 Apr 2026 at 14:57 - TenderUpdate - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/031084-2026 - 2 Apr 2026 at 10:49 - Tender - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/030799-2026 - 18 Sep 2025 at 11:52 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/057697-2025 ## Documents - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/031084-2026 2nd April 2026 - Tender notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/030799-2026 2nd April 2026 - Tender notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/057697-2025 18th September 2025 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender - https://procontract.due-north.com/ All associated information and tender documents are available free of charge via ProContract. The reference number is DN811809 There are no restrictions on who can register or bid for the opportunity via ProContract at this stage. ## Notice URLs - https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents - https://www.southyorkshire-ca.gov.uk/ ## Provenance This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-059d1d. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-059d1d.json.