Planning

Cornwall's Franchising & Bus Reform Pilot

CORNWALL COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

09 Dec 2025 at 15:34

Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Cornwall Council is progressing with its procurement for the "Cornwall's Franchising & Bus Reform Pilot," focusing on the transport services industry within England. The process, currently in the planning stage, aims to explore various models for delivering bus services as part of an overarching Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP). An early engagement notice was published on 9th December 2025, with a deadline for engagement by 14th January 2026. This initiative falls under CPV classification 60000000, covering transport services excluding waste transport. The budgeting for this project is estimated at £143 million, and the procurement process involves a combination of Enhanced Partnerships and potential bus franchising models.

This tender presents substantial opportunities for businesses within the transport sector, particularly those skilled in bus operations and service delivery models. Companies capable of forming or participating in Enhanced Partnerships, offering innovative franchising solutions, or providing electric bus services for initiatives such as Park & Ride could find significant prospects for growth. The involvement in this pilot project could pave the way for future contracts under Cornwall Council's transportation network renewal, providing substantial engagement and learning for those aiming to expand within the UK’s public transport market. Small and medium enterprises are especially encouraged to participate, given their suitability for this contract opportunity.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Cornwall's Franchising & Bus Reform Pilot

Notice Description

Cornwall Council supports and maintains a comprehensive network of bus services, working closely with bus operators through an Enhanced Partnership to achieve outcomes for passengers set out in the Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP). Over half the network is financially supported by the authority and provided under a single subsidised contract requiring over 100 buses. The contract is due to be renewed in 2028. A separate gross cost contract is in place for the provision of Park & Ride services in Truro, using electric buses being purchased by Cornwall Council. Furthermore, Cornwall is participating in the Department for Transport's (DfT) Franchising and Bus Reform Pilot, enabling the investigation of different potential models of bus delivery, including and Enhanced Partnership Plus (EP+) and a variety of bus franchising approaches (with different levels of risk sharing between operators and authority; phasing; and procurement methods). With these considerations in mind, the Council wishes to invite operators to engage with it to help inform possible future approaches to achieve a viable and value for money bus network that meets the needs of residents and visitors.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-b5fd17-ef0c9e87-d6ff-43e7-9418-7ae22d590bba
Publication Source
Contracts Finder
Latest Notice
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/26b9e9b6-a1b9-4f16-9493-248e92969ec8
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Not specified
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
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
£143,000,000 £100M-£1B
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
9 Dec 20252 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
14 Jan 2026Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Not Specified
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
CORNWALL 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
TRURO
Postcode
TR1 3AY
Post Town
Truro
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLK3 Cornwall and Isles of Scilly
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLK30 Cornwall and Isles of Scilly
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
Cornwall
Electoral Ward
Truro Boscawen & Redannick
Westminster Constituency
Truro and Falmouth

Further Information

Notice Documents

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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