This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

07 Jul 2026 at 14:16

Summary of the contracting process

Torbay Council has initiated a public procurement process for the "PHC26117 Supported Bus Service 2026 - Service 26" under an open procedure for public road transport services. The contract is aimed at maintaining and enhancing bus service networks, particularly in the Torquay and Paignton areas, to ensure community connectivity with zero or low emission vehicles. The procurement is currently at the tender stage, with submissions due by 4th August 2026 and potential awards announced by 3rd September 2026. The contract, worth £350,000 with a gross value of £420,000, runs from 1st October 2026 to 31st March 2032, featuring key services that align with Torbay Council's Bus Service Improvement Plan and joint enhancements with Devon County Council.

This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses in the public transport sector, particularly those equipped with modern, low emission buses and a capability in route management. Companies specialising in public road transport services, especially those with experience in environmental and social value integration, are well-suited to compete for this contract. The procurement's focus on service enhancement and community connectivity aligns with broader sustainability goals, thus providing growth opportunities for businesses that can demonstrate technical capability and financial capacity in delivering efficient public transport solutions.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

PHC26117 Supported Bus Service 2026 - Service 26

Notice Description

Due to the operational impacts arising from changes in other services, the existing operator has served notice on the contract awarded in 2024 for Non-Commercial Bus Services Lot 4 (Service 60). The need for this service remains to ensure the community has the connectivity to facilities and services and therefore a new Request for Quotation is needed. This service will be renumbered as Service 26, linking more appropriately with other Paignton based services. Torbay Council is seeking to at least retain the existing bus service network in accordance with the Councils BSIP, but also to enhance it with improvements to service levels, including operating to key locations which are not currently served. Our aim is to improve the routes with increased frequency, additional services covering earlier and later times and at weekends with modern, low floor, zero or low emission vehicles. It is important to note that a new service (27), replacing and improving upon the current Services 28 and 30 between Paignton town centre and schools in Torquay, will be proposed. This will operate all day, additionally connecting to Torbay Hospital. There will be overlap with this contract. That overlap is not confirmed but may include areas of Shorton Valley and Preston Down Road. Torbay Council and Devon County Council are in the process of setting up a new combined Enhanced Bus Partnership.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06c575
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/063750-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
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
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
£350,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
£350,000 £100K-£500K
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
7 Jul 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
4 Aug 20263 weeks to go
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
30 Sep 2026 - 31 Mar 2032 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
TORBAY 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
TORQUAY
Postcode
TQ1 3DR
Post Town
Torquay
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLK4 Devon
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLK42 Torbay
Delivery Location
TLK42 Torbay

Local Authority
Torbay
Electoral Ward
Tormohun
Westminster Constituency
Torbay

Further Information

Notice Documents

  • https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/063750-2026
    7th July 2026 - Tender notice on Find a Tender
  • http://www.supplyingthesouthwest.org.uk/
    In order to provide unrestricted, full, direct and free of charge access to the Tender Documents, the Authority is providing the documents in PDF in the Opportunities Area of the ProContract e-tendering portal at https://www.supplyingthesouthwest.org.uk/ In order to access amendable versions of the documents and to submit a response, Applicants must be registered as Suppliers on ProContract. Applicants should then express an interest in the opportunity and download the Work and Excel format documents for completion and submission.

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

JSON Markdown

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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