Award

B26051 - Bus Service 51: Heathfield - Tunbridge Wells

EAST SUSSEX COUNTY COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

28 Apr 2026 at 08:06

Summary of the contracting process

The procurement process for the contract titled "B26051 - Bus Service 51: Heathfield - Tunbridge Wells" has been completed, with the award announced on 28th April 2026. East Sussex County Council, acting as the buyer, utilised a selective procurement method with a call-off from a dynamic purchasing system. The contract, valued at £1,164,445, covers the provision of public-service buses within the South East region of the United Kingdom, with a focus on services from Heathfield to Tunbridge Wells. The contract period spans from 12th April 2026 to 7th April 2029, and includes provisions for a possible extension of three years.

With the award to East Kent Road Car Company Limited, a large-scale supplier, this tender presents significant business growth opportunities, particularly for businesses in the transport services industry. The retention of fare income by the operator underscores the potential for profitability. Suitable contenders for such opportunities would include SMEs and VCSEs capable of delivering service efficiently and innovatively, considering the long-term contract length and substantial contract value. This contract could attract businesses looking to expand their foothold in the public transport sector within the South East region.

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Notice Title

B26051 - Bus Service 51: Heathfield - Tunbridge Wells

Notice Description

Call off from SCC, ESCC and WSCC Public Bus DPS. Contract Length: 3 years plus 3 year potential extension option. Contract Value: PS1,164,445 (includes extension) Fare income retained by operator Contract Awarded

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-b5fd17-4bf1f0fb-e174-4284-8577-25cffca5165f
Publication Source
Contracts Finder
Latest Notice
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/8213d6c7-2696-4c67-ade5-dbf54fb91d89
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Award Notice
Procurement Type
Dynamic
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Selective
Procurement Method Details
Call-off from a dynamic purchasing system
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

34 - Transport equipment and auxiliary products to transportation


CPV Codes

34121100 - Public-service buses

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£1,164,445 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£1,164,445 £1M-£10M
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
28 Apr 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
23 Dec 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
30 Mar 20261 months ago
Contract Period
11 Apr 2026 - 7 Apr 2029 2-3 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Not Specified
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
EAST SUSSEX COUNTY COUNCIL
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
LEWES
Postcode
BN7 1SG
Post Town
Brighton
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ2 Surrey, East and West Sussex
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ22 East Sussex CC
Delivery Location
TLJ South East (England)

Local Authority
Lewes
Electoral Ward
Lewes Bridge
Westminster Constituency
Lewes

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

EAST KENT ROAD CAR

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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