Summer Holiday – Time to Work on a New Bus Contract
Cliff Richard only had one bus but could we have fleets of community owned bus companies in years to come?
The contract flagged up the other day and it got me reflecting on Labour’s campaign and talk of community bus companies. Sounds great but bus companies have to make a profit to exist…
Some bus routes make a profit, many don’t and need subsidising… probably best left to the professionals… go take a look at the contract and reflect on what might be needed for this ideology to become a reality…
Supported Bus Services Contract with RBWM
The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead Council
The Authority (the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead) is procuring supported bus services under The Public Service Obligations in Transport Regulations 2023. These contracts are concessionary in nature but are not caught by the Concession Contracts Regulations 2016. The Authority intends to utilise a ‘competitive’ procedure (so-called under the Regulations) which broadly mirrors that of a competitive procedure with negotiation under the PCR 2015. . The Authority is proposing six routes (consolidating its existing routes) which make up the lotting structure for this tender. They are as follows: • Lot 1: Maidenhead to Henley & Twyford; • Lot 2: Maidenhead Town Services; • Lot 3: Slough to Eton Wick; • Lot 4: Windsor to Ascot (via Sunninghill); • Lot 5: Windsor to Maidenhead; and • Lot 6: Windsor to Staines. The Authority has up to £1.28 million (per annum) to supplement the services. We anticipate an effective date (i.e. contract signature and mobilisation to commence) of early January 2025 with services commencement from April 2025. The contract term is as follows: 5+3+2. Bidders will be required to submit, and pass, a selection questionnaire.
Location South East
Value £18,650,000
Date notice published 18 July 2024
Closing 12 September 2024, 1pm
It is understood a Labour Government will pass new legislation to support local transport authorities to take back control of their bus services and has set out a five-point plan to deliver better buses. Labour will:
1. Empower local transport authorities and reform funding: by giving local leaders more control and flexibility over bus funding and allowing them to plan ahead to deliver their local transport priorities.
2. Allow every community to take back control of their buses:by removing barriers that currently limit bus franchising powers only to metro mayors.
3. Accelerate the bus franchising process: by supporting local leaders to deliver better buses, faster.
4. Step in to safeguard local bus networks: by providing more accountability over bus operators and ensuring standards are raised wherever you live across the country.
5. Support public ownership: by removing the Conservatives’ ideological ban on publicly owned bus companies and building on the success of award-winning public bus services still in operation.
