Award

Subsidised Bus Tender - T0927 - Service 27

WEST MIDLANDS COMBINED AUTHORITY

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

08 Dec 2025 at 16:53

Award

11 Nov 2025 at 11:52

Tender

01 Sep 2025 at 11:59

Summary of the contracting process

The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) has successfully concluded the procurement process for the "Subsidised Bus Tender - T0927 - Service 27," which provides public road transport services from Rubery, Great Park to Solihull. This contract, procured through an open procedure under the utilities regime and guided by the legal basis of UKPGA 2023/54, addresses the need for financially subsidised routes not covered commercially by private operators. The announcement confirms that Diamond Bus Limited has been awarded the contract that commences on 4th January 2026 and runs until 30th October 2027, with potential renewals extending up to 27th October 2029, ensuring ongoing service provision. The contract value is set at £4,200,000 gross (£3,500,000 net), highlighting WMCA’s commitment to maintaining a critical passenger transport network in the region. Key procurement milestones include a contract signing on 14th November 2025, and the tender phase was initially launched with a closing tender period on 1st October 2025.

This tender presents significant growth opportunities for businesses in the public transportation sector, particularly for those capable of delivering reliable and efficient bus services in the region. It favours organisations with a strong focus on meeting statutory and service delivery expectations under extensive urban environments like the West Midlands. Large-scale transport providers can leverage this opportunity to expand their operations, given the high-value contract and the potential for long-term service continuity through contract extensions. Conversely, the detailed selection criteria highlight the importance of economic and technical proficiency, which demands stringent adherence to financial and operational benchmarks, thus rewarding businesses with established, comprehensive capability track records.

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Notice Title

Subsidised Bus Tender - T0927 - Service 27

Notice Description

The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) supports the provision of an extensive passenger transport network across the West Midlands, both in fulfilment of statutory duties and to enable access to facilities and services. The WMCA supports the provision of local bus services, by financially subsidising routes that are not provided on a commercial basis by private operators. A current Subsidised Bus Contracts expiring on 4th January 2026 needs to be re-procured in order to ensure the route contained within the contract remains operational. Contract T0927 - Service 27 - Rubery, Great Park to Solihull

Lot Information

Lot 1

Renewal: Two (2) options to extend; Extension of up to 68 weeks (31st October 2027 to 17th February 2029) and Extension of up to 36 weeks (18th February 2029 to 27th October 29)

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-059146
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/080800-2025
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
SME
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
£4,500,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
£4,500,000 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
£3,500,000 £1M-£10M
Contracts Value
£3,500,000 £1M-£10M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
8 Dec 20252 months ago
Submission Deadline
1 Oct 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
10 Nov 20253 months ago
Contract Period
4 Jan 2026 - 30 Oct 2027 1-2 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
WEST MIDLANDS COMBINED AUTHORITY
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
procurement.team@wmca.org.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
BIRMINGHAM
Postcode
B19 3SD
Post Town
Birmingham
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLG West Midlands (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLG3 West Midlands
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLG31 Birmingham
Delivery Location
TLG West Midlands (England)

Local Authority
Birmingham
Electoral Ward
Newtown
Westminster Constituency
Birmingham Ladywood

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

DIAMOND BUS

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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