---
title: "Provision of Consultancy for Strategic and Operational Delivery of PS3 National Bus Fare Cap"
ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-1ceeed72-c607-4e9e-9b50-f52459935671"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-1ceeed72-c607-4e9e-9b50-f52459935671"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-1ceeed72-c607-4e9e-9b50-f52459935671.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-1ceeed72-c607-4e9e-9b50-f52459935671.json"
source: "Contracts Finder"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "DFTC - DEPARTMENT FOR TRANSPORT"
published: "2025-09-26"
---

# Provision of Consultancy for Strategic and Operational Delivery of PS3 National Bus Fare Cap

Buyer: DFTC - DEPARTMENT FOR TRANSPORT  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-b5fd17-1ceeed72-c607-4e9e-9b50-f52459935671

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## Summary

The procurement process, initiated by the Department for Transport (DfTc), focuses on the "Provision of Consultancy for Strategic and Operational Delivery of £3 National Bus Fare Cap." This consultancy service falls under the public road transport services category and covers a wide geographic scope including the UK and other international regions. The tender, part of a selective procurement method through a call-off from a framework agreement, has reached its award stage with significant involvement from Ernst & Young LLP as the supplier. The contract was awarded on 22nd September 2025 and it is valued at £3,000,000, with the contract period set from 22nd September 2025 until 31st December 2027.

This tender provides substantial opportunities for growth in the consultancy and transport policy sectors. Businesses specializing in strategic operations, especially those with experience managing government or transport projects, are well-suited to compete in this arena. The involvement of SMEs is encouraged, enhancing the potential for niche consulting firms to expand their market presence. This engagement supports the government's post-pandemic transport strategy, offering a robust platform for businesses aiming to influence public transport policy development and execution.

## Notice

Following the announcement in the June 2025 Spending Review, the Chancellor and the Secretary of State for Transport confirmed that the PS3 National Bus Fare Cap Scheme (PS3 NBFC), which had been scheduled to end in December 2025, will now be extended until 31 March 2027.This discretionary scheme, which has been in place since 2023, supports affordable travel by capping single bus fares outside London and has been a key element of the Government's post-pandemic bus policy to support local services. This contract will support the strategic and operational delivery of the PS3 NBFC scheme and in preparing an eventual exit strategy from the scheme. VAT Unknown.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Contracts Finder |
| Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/24ffe942-18d5-4bb8-83ff-696b96385f76 |
| 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 |
| Awardee scale | Large |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 26 Sep 2025 |
| Submission deadline | 21 Aug 2025 |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 21 Sep 2025 |
| Contract period | 21 Sep 2025 - 31 Dec 2027 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £3,000,000 |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | £3,000,000 |
| 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 |
| Post town | 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 | ERNST & YOUNG |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 60 - Transport services (excl. Waste transport)

### Codes

- 60112000 - Public road transport services

## Release History

- 26 Sep 2025 at 15:45 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/24ffe942-18d5-4bb8-83ff-696b96385f76

## Documents

- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/24ffe942-18d5-4bb8-83ff-696b96385f76
  26th September 2025 - Awarded contract notice on Contracts Finder
- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/d4b11076-280a-43eb-9b72-9756ed8759aa
  n/a

## 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-b5fd17-1ceeed72-c607-4e9e-9b50-f52459935671. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-1ceeed72-c607-4e9e-9b50-f52459935671.json.