Tender

Bus Franchising in the Liverpool City Region - Category 1 Passport System

LIVERPOOL CITY REGION COMBINED AUTHORITY

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

10 Feb 2025 at 13:58

Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority is inviting tenders for the Category 1 Passport System under its Bus Franchising Scheme. The procurement, which covers the transport industry, is at the tender stage and is focused on providing bus services within the Liverpool City Region, specifically targeting St Helens and the Wirral. Key dates include the tender period ending on 24 February 2025, with the contract starting on 10 March 2025 and running until 23 February 2029. The procurement method falls under 'Other' and is classified under CPV 60000000, which excludes waste transport services. LCRCA will provide depots and buses, while the operators are responsible for the maintenance and servicing of the vehicles.

This tender represents a significant opportunity for businesses in the transport sector, particularly those equipped to manage bus operations from LCRCA-provided depots. The franchise model removes revenue risk from operators, offering a stable financial environment ideal for SMEs interested in expanding their service offerings. Businesses that specialise in transport and have the capacity to ensure roadworthy, well-maintained fleets, as well as skilled staffing, are well-suited to compete for this tender, which could lead to substantial growth opportunities within the Liverpool City Region.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Bus Franchising in the Liverpool City Region - Category 1 Passport System

Notice Description

On 25 April 2023, LCRCA published an Assessment on Bus Franchising in the Liverpool City Region which sets out the proposed bus Franchising Scheme in accordance with the Transport Act. In October 2023, the Liverpool City Region Mayor made a Franchising Scheme covering the Liverpool City Region. Franchising is to be introduced over a number of tranches of procurement. Franchised contracts will be let in two categories: i. Category 1 franchises, which are those Franchise Agreements involving multiple services that will operate from a depot provided by LCRCA. LCRCA will provide the depot from which the services relating to the Category 1 franchise must be operated. LCRCA will predominately provide the fleet that must be used on the Category 1 franchise. ii. Category 2 franchises, which are those Franchise Agreements which either i) provide services to serve schools or ii) provide other local services. In both cases the franchises will be delivered from an operator's own depot. This notice relates to Category 1 franchises. The first tranche of Category 1 franchises are expected to relate to St Helens and the Wirral. Key elements of Category 1 franchises will include: Delivery of requirement: the operator of each franchise will be required to provide bus services in accordance with detailed individual franchise package specifications. Revenue risk: the operator will not be required to assume revenue risk. Revenue risk will be primarily taken by LCRCA. Depots: LCRCA will provide the depots from which the Category 1 franchises will be operated. Buses: LCRCA will primarily be responsible for providing the vehicles which will operate Category 1 contacts. Repair, maintenance and servicing of buses: the operator will be responsible for the repair, maintenance and servicing of vehicles whilst ensuring that there are in a roadworthy condition. Staff: the operator is responsible for ensuring that it has all necessary and suitably trained staff to deliver the requirement detailed in the individual franchise specifications.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-b5fd17-cefba707-39e0-4d21-a3aa-d389ba9a83a1
Publication Source
Contracts Finder
Latest Notice
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/51013646-ce43-42e6-9da1-8484a5a9d22e
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Other -
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

60 - Transport services (excl. Waste transport)

CPV Codes

60000000 - Transport services (excl. Waste transport)

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
10 Feb 20251 years ago
Submission Deadline
24 Feb 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
10 Mar 2025 - 23 Feb 2029 3-4 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
LIVERPOOL CITY REGION COMBINED AUTHORITY
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
LIVERPOOL
Postcode
L3 1BP
Post Town
Liverpool
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLD North West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLD7 Merseyside
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLD72 Liverpool
Delivery Location
TLC North East (England), TLD North West (England), TLF East Midlands (England), TLG West Midlands (England), TLH East (England), TLJ South East (England), TLK South West (England)
Local Authority
Liverpool
Electoral Ward
Waterfront South
Westminster Constituency
Liverpool Riverside

Further Information

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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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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