Planning

Local Bus Services - Market Engagement

WOKINGHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Planning

15 Apr 2026 at 15:09

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

29 Apr 2025 at 12:55

UK1 - Pipeline Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Wokingham Borough Council is initiating a procurement process to seek market engagement for future contracted transport services across the borough under the title "Local Bus Services - Market Engagement." This falls under the industry category of "Public road transport services" and is located in Wokingham, United Kingdom. The procurement is currently in the planning stage, with a scheduled virtual market engagement session slated for 20th May 2026 via MS Teams. The council is discussing plans for 21 registered local bus routes, including services to key areas such as Wokingham Town, Shinfield, Woodley, and Earley, with current contracts expiring in Spring 2027. The session will outline the scope of services, tender lots, required documents, evaluation approach, timelines, and e-procurement solutions. Interested parties should express interest by 19th May 2026.

This procurement initiative offers significant opportunities for growth, particularly for businesses involved in public road transport services, such as bus operators and service providers. With a planned budget of £17,600,000 and contracts covering from 2027 to 2032, service providers with expertise in the supply and operation of public-service buses could benefit immensely. Companies with innovative approaches in transport solutions may also find opportunities in alternative services, like school time-only routes and shopper services. Given the scale and scope of the services required, those capable of managing multiple bus routes or focusing on specific service segments stand in good stead to compete for these planned contracts. The engagement session is an excellent platform for potential vendors to align their capabilities with council requirements and maximise future contracting opportunities.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Local Bus Services - Market Engagement

Notice Description

Wokingham Borough Council is looking to engage with the market to discuss a future opportunity relating to contracted transport services across the borough. The Council manages 21 registered local bus routes, which include local link services to Wokingham Town, services from Shinfield, Woodley and Earley to Reading Town, enhancements to services on key bus corridors, as well as three school time only services and a small number of once-a-week shopper services. The current bus contracts are in place until Spring 2027. The tenders will primarily be for registered local bus service; however, alternative options may also be considered for the school time only and once a week shopper service.

Planning Information

Wokingham Borough Council is looking to engage with the market to discuss a future opportunity relating to contracted transport services across the borough. The Council manages 21 registered local bus routes, which include local link services to Wokingham Town, services from Shinfield, Woodley and Earley to Reading Town, enhancements to services on key bus corridors, as well as three school time only services and a small number of once-a-week shopper services. The current bus contracts are in place until Spring 2027. The tenders will primarily be for registered local bus service; however, alternative options may also be considered for the school time only and once a week shopper service. The event is intended to have the format of an information session to present the Councils future plans for these services. The event will take place on Wednesday 20th May 10 – 11am virtually via MS Teams and will cover the following topics: - Scope of services to be procured - Overview of the Lots that will be included within the tender - What documents will require to be completed and submitted to bid for the tender - Overview of the evaluation approach - Timelines - How to submit a tender using WBC’s e-procurement solution - Questions If you are interested in discussing the above with us, please express interest via the messaging function of ProContract and provide the following details: - Company name - Point of contact - Names and email addresses for all attendees - Questions - We request that you submit any questions that you have ahead of the engagement so that these can be covered within the presentation.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05092e
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/034375-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

34 - Transport equipment and auxiliary products to transportation

60 - Transport services (excl. Waste transport)

CPV Codes

34121100 - Public-service buses

60112000 - Public road transport services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£17,600,000 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
15 Apr 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
1 Aug 20264 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Mar 2027 - 31 Mar 2032 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planned
Lots Status
Planned
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
WOKINGHAM BOROUGH 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
WOKINGHAM
Postcode
RG40 1BN
Post Town
Reading
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ1 Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ16 Berkshire West
Delivery Location
TLC North East (England), TLD North West (England), TLE Yorkshire and The Humber, TLF East Midlands (England), TLG West Midlands (England), TLH East (England), TLI London, TLJ South East (England), TLK South West (England)
Local Authority
Wokingham
Electoral Ward
Emmbrook
Westminster Constituency
Wokingham

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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