A new on-demand minibus service called OnDemand is being trialled in parts of South Yorkshire to improve public transport access in areas poorly served by buses, trams and trains. Launching on 3 August as a 12-month pilot in sections of Rotherham and Doncaster, the app-based service lets passengers book journeys up to a week ahead, with no fixed route or timetable, aiming to fill gaps left by conventional bus provision and connect people to jobs, hospitals and transport hubs.

The scheme is funded by the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) in partnership with technology provider Via, and will operate Monday to Saturday, 05:00 to 18:00 BST, with fares starting at £3 and concessions available. It will focus on links to railway stations and employment sites, covering areas such as Todwick, Brookhouse and Askern, with stops determined by customer demand rather than a set route. Local leaders, including Rotherham Council leader Chris Read, Doncaster mayor Ros Jones and South Yorkshire mayor Oliver Coppard, said the service would offer flexibility that traditional buses cannot, particularly for rural communities affected by previous route and frequency cuts.