---
title: "B26051 - Bus Service 51: Heathfield - Tunbridge Wells"
ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-4bf1f0fb-e174-4284-8577-25cffca5165f"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-4bf1f0fb-e174-4284-8577-25cffca5165f"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-4bf1f0fb-e174-4284-8577-25cffca5165f.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-4bf1f0fb-e174-4284-8577-25cffca5165f.json"
source: "Contracts Finder"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "EAST SUSSEX COUNTY COUNCIL"
published: "2026-04-28"
---

# B26051 - Bus Service 51: Heathfield - Tunbridge Wells

Buyer: EAST SUSSEX COUNTY COUNCIL  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-b5fd17-4bf1f0fb-e174-4284-8577-25cffca5165f

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## Summary

The procurement process for the contract titled "B26051 - Bus Service 51: Heathfield - Tunbridge Wells" has been completed, with the award announced on 28th April 2026. East Sussex County Council, acting as the buyer, utilised a selective procurement method with a call-off from a dynamic purchasing system. The contract, valued at £1,164,445, covers the provision of public-service buses within the South East region of the United Kingdom, with a focus on services from Heathfield to Tunbridge Wells. The contract period spans from 12th April 2026 to 7th April 2029, and includes provisions for a possible extension of three years.

With the award to East Kent Road Car Company Limited, a large-scale supplier, this tender presents significant business growth opportunities, particularly for businesses in the transport services industry. The retention of fare income by the operator underscores the potential for profitability. Suitable contenders for such opportunities would include SMEs and VCSEs capable of delivering service efficiently and innovatively, considering the long-term contract length and substantial contract value. This contract could attract businesses looking to expand their foothold in the public transport sector within the South East region.

## Notice

Call off from SCC, ESCC and WSCC Public Bus DPS. Contract Length: 3 years plus 3 year potential extension option. Contract Value: PS1,164,445 (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/8213d6c7-2696-4c67-ade5-dbf54fb91d89 |
| 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 | 30 Mar 2026 |
| Contract period | 11 Apr 2026 - 7 Apr 2029 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £1,164,445 |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | £1,164,445 |
| 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 08:06 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/8213d6c7-2696-4c67-ade5-dbf54fb91d89

## Documents

- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/8213d6c7-2696-4c67-ade5-dbf54fb91d89
  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-b5fd17-4bf1f0fb-e174-4284-8577-25cffca5165f. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-4bf1f0fb-e174-4284-8577-25cffca5165f.json.