---
title: "B26053 (option 2) Bus Service 53: Eastbourne - Hailsham - Ninfield - Bexhill"
ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-1e365041-27aa-4832-8d8c-927d140c65f3"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-1e365041-27aa-4832-8d8c-927d140c65f3"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-1e365041-27aa-4832-8d8c-927d140c65f3.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-1e365041-27aa-4832-8d8c-927d140c65f3.json"
source: "Contracts Finder"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "EAST SUSSEX COUNTY COUNCIL"
published: "2026-04-28"
---

# B26053 (option 2) Bus Service 53: Eastbourne - Hailsham - Ninfield - Bexhill

Buyer: EAST SUSSEX COUNTY COUNCIL  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-b5fd17-1e365041-27aa-4832-8d8c-927d140c65f3

[View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-1e365041-27aa-4832-8d8c-927d140c65f3)  
[Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-1e365041-27aa-4832-8d8c-927d140c65f3.json)

## Summary

East Sussex County Council has completed the procurement process for the "B26053 (option 2) Bus Service 53: Eastbourne - Hailsham - Ninfield - Bexhill" contract, classified under the industry category of public-service buses. The contract, valued at £160,196, has been awarded to East Kent Road Car Company Limited, with the contract period commencing on 12 April 2026 and concluding on 7 April 2029. This selective procurement was a call-off from a dynamic purchasing system (SCC, ESCC, and WSCC Public Bus DPS), offering a service within the South East region of the United Kingdom. Although the tender period ended on 23 December 2025, the contract award was finalised on 28 April 2026, positioning the procurement firmly within the award stage.

This tender offers promising opportunities for growth specifically tailored for large-scale bus operators capable of managing public bus services. Businesses with a focus on transport services within the South East region would find this contract attractive, particularly those who can leverage fare income retention to maximise profitability. Additionally, the suitability for SMEs and VCSEs implies that these entities can also express interest in future opportunities, provided they align with the procurement requirements. Overall, the established contract period allows for sustained business for three years, with a potential extension, offering stability and long-term market presence in the public transport sector.

## Notice

Call off from SCC, ESCC and WSCC Public Bus DPS. Contract Length: 3 years plus 3 year potential extension option. Contract Value: PS160,196 (includes extension) Fare income retained by operator Contract Awarded

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Contracts Finder |
| Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/52c3251c-64d9-4bc8-9c29-b08586e89c66 |
| Notice type | Award Notice |
| Procurement type | Dynamic |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Selective |
| Procurement method details | Call-off from a dynamic purchasing system |
| Tender suitability | SME, VCSE |
| Awardee scale | Large |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 28 Apr 2026 |
| Submission deadline | 23 Dec 2025 |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 29 Mar 2026 |
| Contract period | 11 Apr 2026 - 7 Apr 2029 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £160,196 |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | £160,196 |
| 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 | EAST SUSSEX COUNTY COUNCIL |
| Locality | LEWES |
| Post town | Brighton |
| Postcode | BN7 1SG |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLJ South East (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLJ2 Surrey, East and West Sussex |
| ITL 3 | TLJ22 East Sussex CC |
| Local authority | Lewes |
| Electoral ward | Lewes Bridge |
| Westminster constituency | Lewes |
| Delivery location | TLJ South East (England) |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | EAST KENT ROAD CAR |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 34 - Transport equipment and auxiliary products to transportation

### Codes

- 34121100 - Public-service buses

## Release History

- 28 Apr 2026 at 08:15 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/52c3251c-64d9-4bc8-9c29-b08586e89c66

## Documents

- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/52c3251c-64d9-4bc8-9c29-b08586e89c66
  28th April 2026 - Awarded contract notice on Contracts Finder

## 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-b5fd17-1e365041-27aa-4832-8d8c-927d140c65f3. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-1e365041-27aa-4832-8d8c-927d140c65f3.json.