Tender

Rural Mobility Fund Pilot Bus Operator

CUMBERLAND COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Tender

06 Mar 2026 at 13:26

UK4 - Tender Notice
Planning

05 Mar 2026 at 12:24

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Cumberland Council is seeking to procure a contract for the implementation of a Digital Demand Responsive Transport (DDRT) Scheme, specifically as part of the Rural Mobility Fund (RMF) Pilot. This initiative, funded in part by the Department of Transport (DfT), is aimed at enhancing rural connectivity within Cumberland. The procurement process is currently in the tender stage, with key deadlines for enquiries set on 20th March 2026 and bid submissions due by 3rd April 2026. The procurement falls under the services category, focusing on public road transport services and utilises an open procedure. The service provision will commence on 5th June 2026, with an initial contract term lasting until 4th June 2027, potentially extending to 4th June 2029 depending on optional extensions.

This tender presents significant opportunities for growth, especially for bus operators with experience in demand responsive transport services. The project not only seeks to improve mobility for communities with limited access to existing public transport but also encourages the integration into a customer-focused transport network under the Cumberland GO brand. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary community sector enterprises (VCSEs) may find this opportunity particularly appealing due to its open procurement method and focus on innovation in flexible transport solutions. It is crucial for interested parties to register on The Chest portal to access tender documents and submit their bids. The opportunity for collaboration and development in rural public transport can lead to substantial business growth and community impact.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Rural Mobility Fund Pilot Bus Operator

Notice Description

Cumberland Council is procuring a contract for the delivery of a new Digital Demand Responsive Transport (DDRT) Scheme with funding from the Department of Transport (DfT).The proposed DDRT service will form part of the Rural Mobility Fund (RMF) Pilot and aims to improve rural connectivity across Cumberland. This initiative is intended to provide flexible, digitally enabled transport solutions for communities that currently have limited or no access to conventional public transport services. Operators will be expected to: i. Deliver high-quality bus services for the duration of the contract, ensuring all services are properly registered with the Traffic Commissioners. ii. Exercise all necessary skill, care, and diligence in the provision of the services at all times. iii. Take all reasonable steps to prioritise passenger comfort and safety. iv. Ensure that all legally required licences, approvals, registrations, permits, insurances, and related obligations are obtained and maintained throughout the contract period. The DRT Model will: i. provide flexible, reliable access to essential services, employment, education, and leisure. ii. Complement rather than compete with existing fixed-route bus and rail services. iii. Improve connectivity and accessibility for rural communities. iv. Support an integrated, customer-focused public transport network under the Cumberland GO brand. The service operates as a hybrid model, combining fixed timetables with a controlled demand-responsive element. The Council proposes to enter into the contract for an initial term of 1 year/12 months with the successful tenderer. There are 2 optional extensions available of [up to] 12 months each. It is up to the council whether or not to implement these optional extensions. If the contract runs for the initial term only it will end on 4th June 2027. The total contract value is PS250000 (including any optional extensions, potential uplifts, inflation and VAT). If the council implements the 2 optional extensions, the contract will end on 4th June 2029. This figure is indicative only as the extension periods and uplifts are not guaranteed. If the council implements an extension or uplift, this will be confirmed with the successful supplier in advance. If the services to be provided are VAT exempt then VAT cannot be charged by the successful supplier. For further details and to access the tender documents use our online procurement portal, The Chest https://www.the-chest.org.uk You must be registered on The Chest to be able to view the opportunity and submit a tender. Registration is free. Ensure you read and understand the Invitation to Tender (ITT) and its appendices before completing the tender documents. Clarification questions can be asked on The Chest messaging section. You should take note of the deadlines in the Procurement Timetable, which is in the ITT. All bids must be received electronically via The Chest by the deadline stated in the Invitation to Tender (ITT). Any clarifications about the tender must be sent via messaging on The Chest by the deadline stated in the ITT.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Renewal: There are 2 optional extensions available of [up to] 12 months each. It is up to the council whether or not to implement these optional extensions. If the contract runs for the initial term only it will end on 4th June 2027. The total contract value is PS250000 (including any optional extensions, potential uplifts, inflation and VAT). If the council implements the 2 optional extensions, the contract will end on 4th June 2029.

Planning Information

The preliminary market engagement took place on the 17th of December 2025 to inform a forthcoming procurement for the delivery of a Digital Demand Responsive Transport (DDRT) service. The goal was to outline what the council was trying to achieve by procuring bus operators to run the council's RMF pilot and that we are seeking to contract with an operator to run the bus service but that they would use the council's asset. i.e. buses owned by the council. This notice is being published retrospectively to meet transparency requirements and to confirm that the pre‑market engagement activity has already taken place.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0662f3
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/020395-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Planning, Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

60 - Transport services (excl. Waste transport)

CPV Codes

60112000 - Public road transport services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£200,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
£200,000 £100K-£500K
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
6 Mar 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
3 Apr 20263 weeks to go
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
4 Jun 2026 - 4 Jun 2027 6-12 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
CUMBERLAND 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
CARLISLE
Postcode
CA1 1RD
Post Town
Carlisle
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLD North West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLD1 Cumbria
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLD13 Cumberland
Delivery Location
TLD1 Cumbria
Local Authority
Cumberland
Electoral Ward
Castle
Westminster Constituency
Carlisle

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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