---
title: "Bus Service Improvement Programme"
ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-06160c62-b426-4b95-8651-000d56b2ee57"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-06160c62-b426-4b95-8651-000d56b2ee57"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-06160c62-b426-4b95-8651-000d56b2ee57.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-06160c62-b426-4b95-8651-000d56b2ee57.json"
source: "Contracts Finder"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "DfTc - Department for Transport"
published: "2026-08-13"
---

# Bus Service Improvement Programme

Buyer: DfTc - Department for Transport  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-b5fd17-06160c62-b426-4b95-8651-000d56b2ee57

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## Summary

The Department for Transport commissioned transport systems consultancy services for its Bus Service Improvement Programme. The appointed consultant is to support local transport authorities in developing their bus service improvement plans. This is a services contract, covering consultancy rather than the direct operation of bus services or physical transport works. The stated classification is transport systems consultancy services (CPV 71311200). Delivery spans the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, Europe, British Overseas Territories and other locations worldwide. The requirement is therefore relevant to consultancies with experience in public transport planning, bus networks, local authority support and the development of practical service improvement plans across multiple jurisdictions.

The procurement has been completed and awarded through a selective procedure as a call-off from a framework agreement. Bids were due by 20 July 2026 at 14:00. The award was made on 12 August 2026 to OVE Arup and Partners for £1,340,000. The contract period runs from 13 August 2026 to 29 June 2029. The procurement is identified as a single requirement rather than separate lots. The stated basis is the provision of consultancy services for developing bus service improvement plans, with the selection made through the framework call-off route. The Department for Transport is the buyer and the awarded supplier is a large organisation.

This award provides a clear indication of demand from the Department for Transport for specialist advice supporting local transport authorities and bus service improvement planning. A credible future competitor would need strong transport systems consultancy capability, including evidence of shaping bus networks, assessing service improvements and translating analysis into plans that authorities can implement. Experience of working with central government, local authorities and other public transport stakeholders would be commercially relevant, particularly where a team must coordinate work across several locations. The requirement is also marked as suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises and voluntary, community and social enterprises, so smaller specialist consultancies or collaborative teams may be well placed where they can demonstrate sufficient capacity, relevant expertise and public-sector delivery experience.

## Notice

A contract to provide consultancy services to local transport authorities to develop their bus service improvement plans

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Contracts Finder |
| Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/9a669815-c99b-4b9b-ab89-5329a3a55c51 |
| Notice type | Award Notice |
| Procurement type | Framework |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Selective |
| Procurement method details | Call-off from a framework agreement |
| Tender suitability | SME, VCSE |
| Awardee scale | Large |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 13 Aug 2026 |
| Submission deadline | 20 Jul 2026 |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 12 Aug 2026 |
| Contract period | 13 Aug 2026 - 29 Jun 2029 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £1,340,000 |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | £1,340,000 |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Not specified |
| Awards status | Active |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | DfTc - Department for Transport |
| Locality | LONDON |
| Postcode area | South West London |
| Postcode | SW1P 4DR |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLI London |
| ITL 2 | TLI3 Inner London - West |
| ITL 3 | TLI35 Westminster and City of London |
| Local authority | Westminster |
| Electoral ward | Vincent Square |
| Westminster constituency | Cities of London and Westminster |
| Delivery location | Not specified |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | Ove Arup & Partners Ltd |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services

### Codes

- 71311200 - Transport systems consultancy services

## Release History

- 13 Aug 2026 at 13:16 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/9a669815-c99b-4b9b-ab89-5329a3a55c51

## Documents

- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/9a669815-c99b-4b9b-ab89-5329a3a55c51
  13th August 2026 - Awarded contract notice on Contracts Finder

## Notice URLs

- http://www.dft.gov.uk

## Provenance

This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-06160c62-b426-4b95-8651-000d56b2ee57. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-06160c62-b426-4b95-8651-000d56b2ee57.json.