Young Rotherham bus fan is set challenge to earn a tour behind the scenes at a local bus operator

A young bus enthusiast has been given the challenge to earn the chance to see behind the scenes of how Stagecoach Yorkshire is run to get local people, in the region, where they need to go.

Bus fan, Noah, 5, wrote to Stagecoach Yorkshire explaining his interest and Driver, Karen Hands-Day, Leading Driver, Lewis Slingsby, and Duty Manager, Ryan Logan, swung into action to set a challenge that, if he can spot the majority of local Stagecoach buses by the end of January, he will be rewarded with a behind-the-scenes tour of Rotherham’s nationally recognised Rawmarsh depot.

As a treat, before Christmas, he was also invited to visit Rotherham Bus Station and was even able to sit in the driver’s seat of a bus.

Karen said: “Noah has such enthusiasm for our local buses and often follows us around on the Stagecoach App on his Mum’s phone. He has really become a special member of Team Rawmarsh. Maybe in a few years’ time we’ll be welcoming his application to join the team for good!”

Matt Kitchin, Managing Director of Stagecoach Yorkshire, added: “We are excited to offer Noah this opportunity, and I am grateful to Karen, Lewis, Ryan and the team for setting this up. At Stagecoach, we always say that we ‘plan for the future’ and young people, like Noah, could certainly be the future of the bus industry.”

Stagecoach is currently celebrating 20 years of serving communities in South Yorkshire. Last November, Rawmarsh depot won the Bronze Award in Top National Bus Depot category at the UK Bus Awards 2025.

-- To find out more about local bus routes and services, to buy before you board, and to track your local bus, you can download the Stagecoach Bus App from https://www.stagecoachbus.com/promos-and-offers/national/stagecoachbusapp.