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Provision of bus service - Route 243/N243

Transport for London

This public procurement record has 5 releases in its history.

AwardUpdate

20 Jul 2026 at 13:02

Award Notice
AwardUpdate

20 Jul 2026 at 13:01

Award Notice
AwardUpdate

20 Jul 2026 at 12:25

Award Notice
AwardUpdate

20 Jul 2026 at 12:23

Award Notice
Award

03 Apr 2024 at 13:45

Award Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Transport for London procured public road transport services for bus route 243/N243. The requirement is to operate and provide the scheduled bus service, serving passengers along the route in London. It is a services contract for a specific route rather than a purchase of vehicles or general transport consultancy. The buyer is Transport for London, based in London. The opportunity was identified as suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises and for voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations, although the contract was ultimately awarded to a large transport operator. Businesses relevant to this requirement include bus companies and public transport operators with the operational capability to run a London bus route and meet the associated service obligations.

The procurement is complete and was awarded to Arriva London North on 22 September 2023. The awarded value is £10,200,000. The contract runs from 17 August 2024 to 15 August 2031. The original estimated range was £10,200,000 minimum to £10,200,001 maximum. It used a selective procurement method, specifically a competitive procedure with negotiation above threshold. The tender submission deadline was 15 August 2023 at 12:00. The contract period recorded for the tender is 17 August 2024 to 15 August 2031, matching the awarded period. The award is active and the tender status is complete. One supplier is identified as the award recipient.

This award demonstrates sustained demand from Transport for London for contracted bus operation on a defined London route over a substantial service period. It provides a useful benchmark for bus operators, transport groups and specialist public transport providers assessing similar TfL requirements. A credible competitor would need to show that it can manage the complete operational delivery of a scheduled bus service, maintain reliable passenger-facing performance and sustain delivery across a long-term contract. The procurement route also indicates that suppliers may need to participate in a selective competitive procedure with negotiation. The stated suitability for SMEs and voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations suggests that smaller or mission-led operators could consider the requirement, directly or through an appropriate delivery partnership.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Provision of bus service - Route 243/N243

Notice Description

Provision of bus service route 243/N243 for 7 years. Please note, costs posted on Contracts Finder sometimes differ from those on the internet, this is due to post award negotiations.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-b5fd17-9656b5bb-8bd1-4d5b-a39d-b6e9e3ffa947
Publication Source
Contracts Finder
Latest Notice
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/c7f8213b-a43d-4931-8a8d-67f8275fd938
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Selective
Procurement Method Details
Competitive procedure with negotiation (above threshold)
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

60 - Transport services (excl. Waste transport)

CPV Codes

60112000 - Public road transport services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£10,200,001 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£10,200,000 £10M-£100M
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
20 Jul 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
15 Aug 2023Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
22 Sep 20232 years ago
Contract Period
17 Aug 2024 - 15 Aug 2031 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Transport for London
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
LONDON
Postcode
SE1 8NJ
Postcode Area
South East London
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI4 Inner London - East
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI44 Lewisham and Southwark
Delivery Location
TLI London
Local Authority
Southwark
Electoral Ward
Borough & Bankside
Westminster Constituency
Bermondsey and Old Southwark

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

Arriva London North

Further Information

Notice URLs

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts.

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