On 12 November the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) will stage a bus franchising pre-market engagement day for potential bidders for contracts to deliver those services. The gathering will be held in Sheffield at a venue yet to be confirmed.
It comes as 5 September 2027 has been set as the go-live date for commencement of the first franchised bus services in the region. Mayor Oliver Coppard made the decision to go with reregulation earlier in 2025.
At the pre-market engagement day, existing bus operators in South Yorkshire and potential newcomers will gain early insight into route and fleet plans and procurement timelines. They will be able to meet the SYMCA bus team and understand why South Yorkshire represents “a significant opportunity for investment.”
The Combined Authority has made clear that it is interested in seeing bus operators from outside the UK take part in bidding. The formal procurement process will commence later in 2025 with the first franchised services to run in Doncaster and Sheffield.
It adds that since Mr Coppard made his decision, SYMCA officers have been preparing to deliver franchised services. A contract was recently awarded for depot feasibility work for six operating centres tied to large contracts as part of that readiness work.
Speaking about the pre-market engagement day, SYMCA Director of Bus Reform Matt Goggins says: “We have been clear from the beginning that we want the very best for South Yorkshire when it comes to bus franchising.
“We know many parts of the UK are going through a similar process right now, but we think South Yorkshire has something special to offer. I would encourage operators of all sizes, regardless of where they are based, to register a place to see firsthand what we are trying to achieve and explore how they can be part of it.”
Operators interested in attending should register their interest by completing this form.
