Public transport in South Yorkshire

This article relies excessively on references to primary sources. Please improve this article by adding secondary or tertiary sources.
Find sources: "Public transport in South Yorkshire" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (August 2023) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

|

Public transport in South Yorkshire, England mainly consists of three modes: bus, tram and train. Passengers can switch between these modes of transport at various interchanges operated by the South Yorkshire Combined Mayoral Authority (under the passenger-facing brand Travel South Yorkshire).

## Ticketing

[edit]

### Single-modal tickets

[edit]

On buses and trams, single and multi-trip tickets can be purchased on-board. These are usually only valid for travel with the same operator. At the start of 2023, a £2 single fare cap was introduced on buses and trams as part of a nationwide scheme to combat the cost of living crisis.[1] In November 2023 the tram fare cap was raised to £2.80,[2] and on 1st January 2025, the bus fare cap was increased to £3 in line with the national fare cap scheme.[3][4] Tram fares also increased again.

### Multi-modal tickets

[edit]

Travel South Yorkshire sells a range of multi-modal tickets on behalf of the public transport operators of South Yorkshire, including city-wide or countywide Travelmaster tickets.[5] These are generally in the form of smart card tickets and can be used with any operator within the valid area.

### Concessions

[edit]

Various concessionary travel schemes are available for young people and students, senior citizens and the mobility impaired.

#### Child fares and 'Zoom' travel passes

[edit]

There is a single reduced fare for children under 11 across all buses and trams. Children between 11 and 18 years old who live in South Yorkshire can get a free Zoom Under 16 or Zoom 16-18, which must be shown to travel at the child fare.[6] Young people under 21 can get a Zoom Beyond 18-21 travel pass if they live in South Yorkshire, permitting the user to travel at reduced single fares on trams and some buses.[7][8] This is also available to students 21 or younger who only live in South Yorkshire during term-time. There are also Zoom Zero passes which allow primary and secondary school students to travel to and from school for free - these can be purchased or funded by a local council if eligible.

#### Student fares

[edit]

Most operators offer reduced fares to students if shown a valid student ID. However, the exact fares can vary between operators. This may include both single and multi-day tickets.

#### Disabled passes

[edit]

Residents with some disabilities may be eligible for a free Disabled pass, which entitles them to free bus services within England and free tram services within South Yorkshire, along with free Northern train journeys between South Yorkshire and West Yorkshire.[9] There is also the +Carer pass, which allows a carer to travel with the pass holder, and the Visually Impaired pass, which allows the holder to show the card to the driver instead of scanning it.

#### Senior pass

[edit]

South Yorkshire residents who have reached state pension age are eligible for a free Senior pass, which entitles them to free bus services within England and free tram services within South Yorkshire during certain times of day.[10] It also gives half-price tickets for Northern trains, and some free journeys to hospital appointments with some operators.

## Bus

[edit]

### Bus services

[edit]

Since 1994, most bus routes in South Yorkshire have been operated by private companies. These include First, Stagecoach, TM Travel, and Hulleys of Baslow.[11] There are some free "Sheffield Connect" bus services funded by SYMCA that operate in a loop though Sheffield city centre.[12]

### Bus interchanges

[edit]

Travel South Yorkshire operate nine bus interchanges[13] and several smaller stations, many of which have been newly built or refurbished in the early 2000s. These bus interchanges provide a hub for local, regional and sometimes national bus and coach services, and in some locations also provide an interchange facility onto tram and rail services.

Main interchanges[13] Name  | Image  | Location  | Train station  | Tram stop  | Tram lines

|
|
|
|
|

Blue  | Yellow  | Purple  | Tram Train
Adwick Interchange |  | Church Lane, Adwick le Street, Doncaster  |  Adwick | None  |  |  |  |
Barnsley Interchange |  | Eldon Street North, Barnsley  |  Barnsley | None  |  |  |  |
Doncaster Interchange |  | Frenchgate Shopping Centre, Doncaster  |  Doncaster | None  |  |  |  |
Meadowhall Interchange |  | Meadowhall Shopping Centre, Sheffield  |  Meadowhall |  Meadowhall Interchange  |  | ✓  |  |
Rotherham Interchange |  | Frederick Street, Rotherham  |  Rotherham Central (200m)  |  Rotherham Central (200m)  |  |  |  | ✓
Sheffield Interchange |  | Pond Square, Sheffield  |  Sheffield (200m)  |  Sheffield Station / Sheffield Hallam University (250m)  | ✓  |  | ✓  |
Castle Square (250m)  | ✓  | ✓  | ✓  | ✓

'Mini' interchanges:

* Arundel Gate Interchange ( Castle Square, 150m)
* Dinnington Interchange
* Hillsborough Interchange

Smaller stations:

* Crystal Peaks Bus Station
* Grimethorpe Interchange
* Manor Top Bus Stop
* Mexborough Interchange ( Mexborough, 300m)

## Tram

[edit]

Main article: South Yorkshire Supertram

A tram at the Cathedral Tram Stop.

The South Yorkshire Supertram is operated by the South Yorkshire Combined Mayoral Authority,[14] and runs regular services across four lines connecting various areas of Sheffield and Rotherham:[15]

* Blue: Halfway \- Malin Bridge
* Purple: Herdings Park \- Cathedral
* Yellow: Meadowhall Interchange \- Middlewood
* Tram-Train: Rotherham Parkgate \- Cathedral

Single/return journey tickets can be purchased on-board, or multi-day tickets can be purchased online. Single long-journey tickets allow changing lines and are valid for 1 hour travelling in the same direction.

## Rail

[edit]

### Stations

[edit]

There are multiple railway stations in each of the four towns/cities of South Yorkshire. Regional services to destinations across the UK are available from Barnsley, Doncaster, Sheffield, and Meadowhall Interchange.

All stations with National Rail services are listed below (in no particular order):

Passenger rail stations in South Yorkshire[16][17] Barnsley  | Doncaster  | Rotherham  | Sheffield

|
|
|

* Barnsley
* Penistone
* Silkstone Common
* Dodworth
* Darton
* Wombwell
* Elsecar
* Thurnscoe
* Goldthorpe
* Bolton-upon-Dearne

* Doncaster
* Adwick
* Bentley
* Hatfield & Stainforth
* Kirk Sandall
* Conisborough
* Mexborough
* Thorne North
* Thorne South

* Rotherham Central
* Swinton
* Kiveton Bridge
* Kiveton Park

* Sheffield
* Meadowhall Interchange
* Dore & Totley
* Darnall
* Woodhouse
* Chapeltown

#### Opened and re-opened stations

[edit]

Eleven new stations were opened by SYPTE between 1983 and 1993. Many of these were re-opened former stations previously closed in the 1960s under the Beeching cuts, but not all; Goldthorpe and Thurnscoe were entirely new stations, Rotherham Central was built to replace the closing Rotherham Masborough which was further away from Rotherham town centre, and Meadowhall Interchange was built to serve the new Meadowhall Shopping Centre. Rotherham Parkgate, the terminus of the Sheffield Supertram tram-train pilot scheme from Sheffield city centre, opened in October 2018.[18]

* 1983 – Silkstone Common
* 1984 – Chapeltown (station re-sited)
* 1987 – Rotherham Central
* 1988 – Goldthorpe; Thurnscoe
* 1989 – Dodworth
* 1990 – Meadowhall Interchange; Swinton
* 1991 – Kirk Sandall
* 1992 – Bentley
* 1993 – Adwick
* 2018 – Rotherham Parkgate (tram-train stop)

### Routes

[edit]

Stations in italics are located outside of the South Yorkshire CMA area.

Hallam Line | Wakefield Line | Dearne Valley Line | Penistone Line | Sheffield–Leeds via Castleford Line

|
|
|
|

Operators: Northern Trains, East Midlands Railway

* Leeds
* Wakefield Kirkgate
* Barnsley Interchange
* Meadowhall Interchange
* Sheffield
* Dronfield
* Chesterfield
* Alfreton
* Langley Mill
* Ilkeston
* Nottingham

Operators: Northern Trains, CrossCountry

* Sheffield
* Meadowhall Interchange
* Rotherham Central
* Swinton
* Bolton-upon-Dearne
* Goldthorpe
* Thurnscoe
* Moorthorpe [A]
* Fitzwilliam
* Sandal & Agbrigg
* Wakefield Westgate
* Outwood
* Leeds

Operators: Northern Trains

* Sheffield
* Meadowhall Interchange
* Rotherham Central
* Swinton
* Moorthorpe [A]
* Pontefract Baghill
* Sherburn-in-Elmet
* Church Fenton
* Ulleskelf
* York

Operators: Northern Trains

* Sheffield
* Meadowhall Interchange
* Chapeltown
* Elsecar
* Wombwell
* Barnsley Interchange
* Dodworth
* Silkstone Common
* Penistone
* Denby Dale [A]
* Shepley
* Stocksmoor
* Brockholes
* Honley
* Berry Brow
* Lockwood
* Huddersfield

Operators: Northern Trains

* Sheffield
* Meadowhall Interchange
* Chapeltown
* Elsecar
* Wombwell
* Barnsley Interchange
* Darton
* Wakefield Kirkgate
* Normanton
* Castleford
* Woodlesford
* Leeds

Hope Valley Line | Sheffield–Hull Line  | Adwick–Lincoln Line  | Doncaster–Leeds Line  | Doncaster–Scunthorpe Line  | Sheffield–Rotherham tram-train

|
|
|
|
|

Operators: Northern Trains, East Midlands Railway, TransPennine Express

* Sheffield
* Dore & Totley
* Grindleford
* Hathersage
* Bamford
* Hope
* Edale
* Chinley
* New Mills Central
* Marple
* Romiley
* Manchester Piccadilly

Operators: Northern Trains, CrossCountry, TransPennine Express

* Sheffield
* Meadowhall Interchange
* Rotherham Central
* Swinton
* Mexborough
* Conisbrough
* Doncaster
* Kirk Sandall
* Hatfield & Stainforth
* Thorne North
* Goole
* Saltmarshe
* Gilberdyke
* Brough
* Ferriby
* Hessle
* Hull Paragon Interchange

Operators: Northern Trains, CrossCountry, TransPennine Express

* Adwick
* Bentley
* Doncaster
* Conisbrough
* Mexborough
* Swinton
* Rotherham Central
* Meadowhall Interchange
* Sheffield
* Darnall
* Woodhouse
* Kiveton Bridge
* Kiveton Park
* Shireoaks
* Worksop
* Retford
* Gainsborough Lea Road
* Saxilby
* Lincoln

Operators: Northern Trains, Grand Central, London North Eastern Railway

* Doncaster
* Bentley
* Adwick
* South Elmsall [A]
* Fitzwilliam
* Sandal & Agbrigg
* Wakefield Westgate
* Outwood
* Leeds

Operators: Northern Trains, TransPennine Express

* Doncaster
* Kirk Sandall
* Hatfield & Stainforth
* Thorne South
* Crowle
* Althorpe
* Scunthorpe

Operators: Sheffield Supertram

* Cathedral
* Castle Square
* Fitzalan Square Ponds Forge
* Hyde Park
* Cricket Inn Road
* Nunnery Square Park & Ride
* Woodbourn Road
* Attercliffe
* Arena for Olympic Legacy Park
* Valley Centertainment
* Carbrook for IKEA
* Tinsley Meadowhall South
* Rotherham Central
* Rotherham Parkgate

Notes:

A – Station is located in West Yorkshire, but TSY multi-modal TravelMaster tickets are valid to and from these railway stations.

## Historical

[edit]

### Tramways

[edit]

Main articles: Sheffield Tramway, Rotherham Tramway, Doncaster Tramway, and Barnsley Tramway

Before the Sheffield Supertram there used to tramway networks across each town in South Yorkshire. The Sheffield Tramway was the largest and the longest lasting, opening in 1873 and closing in 1960.[19] Some of the trams used on the Sheffield Tramway are now at the National Tramway Museum.

### Trolleybus

[edit]

Main article: Trolleybuses in Doncaster § Doncaster Racecourse experiment

In 1985, the SYPTE purchased an Alexander RH bodied Dennis Dominator trolleybus with a view to reintroducing a trolleybus network. A one mile section on Sandall Beat Road alongside Doncaster Racecourse was wired.[20] However with deregulation in 1986, the project was shelved.

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Bus fare cap: England charges to be held at £2 for three months". BBC News. 3 September 2022. Retrieved 10 March 2025.
2. ^ "Single tram fares to rocket by 40 per cent as price of some bus tickets also rises". The Star. 13 October 2023. Retrieved 10 March 2025.
3. ^ "Why Sheffield bus fares are set to rise as other cities maintain £2 price cap". The Star. 21 November 2024. Retrieved 10 March 2025.
4. ^ "Bus fare cap: Passengers in England face £1 rise". BBC News. 1 January 2025. Retrieved 10 March 2025.
5. ^ "The new bus and tram fares in Sheffield for 2025, as ticket prices rise". The Star. 27 December 2024. Retrieved 18 January 2025.
6. ^ "Take advantage of great travel discounts for young people – get your Zoom card". The Star. 25 July 2024. Retrieved 18 January 2025.
7. ^ "Under 21s can now travel for less in Doncaster". Doncaster Free Press. 23 June 2021. Retrieved 2 June 2024.
8. ^ "Petition launched to save cheaper bus travel for young people". BBC News. 9 August 2023. Retrieved 18 January 2025.
9. ^ "Disabled Pass". Travel South Yorkshire. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
10. ^ "Senior bus pass". Travel South Yorkshire. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
11. ^ "Yorkshire – Bus Times". bustimes.org. Retrieved 19 August 2023.
12. ^ "Sheffield: Free electric bus service to run in city centre". BBC News. 21 March 2024. Retrieved 2 June 2024.
13. ^ a b "Bus interchanges". Travel South Yorkshire. Retrieved 19 January 2025.
14. ^ "South Yorkshire's Supertram back in public control". BBC News. 22 March 2024. Retrieved 2 June 2024.
15. ^ "Sheffield Supertram". Travel South Yorkshire. Retrieved 2 June 2024.
16. ^ "Rail Stations". Travel South Yorkshire. Retrieved 10 March 2025.
17. ^ "Railway map of Yorkshire | Yorkshire.guide map of stations, routes and rail services". yorkshire.guide. Retrieved 10 March 2025.
18. ^ "UK's first ever 'tram train' launches in South Yorkshire". www.railtechnologymagazine.com. Retrieved 19 August 2023.
19. ^ "history : Sheffield Supertram : TheTrams.co.uk". www.thetrams.co.uk. Retrieved 19 August 2023.
20. ^ Trolleybus starts days at races Commercial Motor 20 July 1985

## External links

[edit]

* South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive
* Travel South Yorkshire Public transport information for South Yorkshire
* South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Authority
* Passenger Transport Executive Group

* v
* t
* e

Passenger transport executives in the United Kingdom

Current|

| Urban|

* Merseytravel (Liverpool City Region)
* Metro (West Yorkshire)
* Nexus (Tyne and Wear)
* Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (Greater Glasgow)
* Transport for Greater Manchester (Greater Manchester)
* Transport for London (Greater London)
* Transport for West Midlands (West Midlands)
* Travel South Yorkshire (South Yorkshire)
* Transport for Edinburgh (Edinburgh & Lothians)

|

Regional|

* Transport for the North
* West Midlands Rail Executive

Former|

* Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive (Greater Manchester)
* West Midlands Passenger Transport Executive (West Midlands)
* South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (South Yorkshire)

* v
* t
* e

South Yorkshire Supertram

Operations|

| Operators|

* South Yorkshire Future Trams (2024–)
* Stagecoach Group (1997–2024)
* South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (1994–1997)

|

Vehicles|

* Siemens-Duewag Supertram (101–125)
* Stadler Citylink (201–207)

Depots|

* Nunnery Square

Stations|

| Purple Line|

* Herdings Park
* Gleadless Townend
* Hollinsend
* Manor Top
* Spring Lane
* Arbourthorne Road
* Park Grange Croft
* Granville Road / The Sheffield College
* Sheffield Station / Sheffield Hallam University
* Fitzalan Square / Ponds Forge
* Castle Square
* Cathedral

|

Blue Line|

* Halfway
* Westfield
* Waterthorpe
* Beighton / Drake House Lane
* Crystal Peaks
* Moss Way
* Donetsk Way
* Hackenthorpe
* Birley Moor Road
* Birley Lane
* White Lane
* Gleadless Townend
* Hollinsend
* Manor Top / Elm Tree
* Spring Lane
* Arbourthorne Road
* Park Grange Croft
* Granville Road / The Sheffield College
* Sheffield Station / Sheffield Hallam University
* Fitzalan Square / Ponds Forge
* Castle Square
* Cathedral
* City Hall
* West Street
* University of Sheffield
* Netherthorpe Road
* Shalesmoor
* Infirmary Road
* Langsett / Primrose View
* Bamforth Street
* Hillsborough
* Malin Bridge

Yellow Line|

* Middlewood
* Leppings Lane
* Hillsborough Park
* Hillsborough
* Bamforth Street
* Langsett / Primrose View
* Infirmary Road
* Shalesmoor
* Netherthorpe Road
* University of Sheffield
* West Street
* City Hall
* Cathedral
* Castle Square
* Fitzalan Square / Ponds Forge
* Hyde Park
* Cricket Inn Road
* Nunnery Square
* Woodbourn Road
* Attercliffe
* Arena / Olympic Legacy Park
* Valley Centertainment
* Carbrook
* Meadowhall South / Tinsley
* Meadowhall Interchange

Tram-train|

* Cathedral
* Castle Square
* Fitzalan Square / Ponds Forge
* Hyde Park
* Cricket Inn Road
* Nunnery Square
* Woodbourn Road
* Attercliffe
* Arena / Olympic Legacy Park
* Valley Centertainment
* Carbrook
* Meadowhall South / Tinsley
* Rotherham Central
* Parkgate

Proposed|

| Extensions|

* Westward extension

|

* v
* t
* e

Railway stations in South Yorkshire

Barnsley|

* Barnsley Interchange
* Bolton-upon-Dearne
* Darton
* Dodworth
* Elsecar
* Goldthorpe
* Penistone
* Silkstone Common
* Thurnscoe
* Wombwell

Doncaster|

* Adwick
* Bentley
* Conisbrough
* Doncaster
* Hatfield & Stainforth
* Kirk Sandall
* Mexborough
* Thorne North
* Thorne South

Rotherham|

* Kiveton Bridge
* Kiveton Park
* Rotherham Central
* Swinton
* Tram-train: Parkgate

Sheffield|

* Chapeltown
* Darnall
* Dore & Totley
* Meadowhall Interchange
* Sheffield
* Woodhouse

*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template