---
title: "B26256 - Bus Service 256: Wadhurst - Lamberhurst - Bells Yew Green - Tunbridge Wells"
ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-7e45d588-a6c2-4199-be80-534d4a83fd6d"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-7e45d588-a6c2-4199-be80-534d4a83fd6d"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-7e45d588-a6c2-4199-be80-534d4a83fd6d.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-7e45d588-a6c2-4199-be80-534d4a83fd6d.json"
source: "Contracts Finder"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "EAST SUSSEX COUNTY COUNCIL"
published: "2026-04-27"
---

# B26256 - Bus Service 256: Wadhurst - Lamberhurst - Bells Yew Green - Tunbridge Wells

Buyer: EAST SUSSEX COUNTY COUNCIL  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-b5fd17-7e45d588-a6c2-4199-be80-534d4a83fd6d

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## Summary

East Sussex County Council has successfully completed the procurement process for the bus service operation titled "Bus Service 256: Wadhurst - Lamberhurst - Bells Yew Green - Tunbridge Wells," classified under the public-service buses industry category. This procurement, falling under the 'award' stage, was part of a call-off from a dynamic purchasing system managed by SCC, ESCC, and WSCC. The contract, valued at £767,482, including potential extensions, begins on 12 April 2026 and runs until 7 April 2029, with operations centred in the South East of England. The selective tender method was employed, rewarding the contract to Autocar Bus and Coach Service Ltd, announced on 16 March 2026.

This tender presents significant opportunities for growth for businesses involved in transport services, particularly those specialising in public transportation solutions. With the contract allowing for a potential extension, operators stand to benefit from stable business prospects and fare income retention during the contract period. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community, and social enterprises (VCSEs) are deemed suitable for this procurement opportunity, encouraging participation from diverse market players to enhance local transport services. Business entities with experience in handling public service transport procurements will find this contract conducive to expanding their footprint in the bustling region of South East England.

## Notice

Call off from SCC, ESCC and WSCC Public Bus DPS. Contract Length: 3 years plus 3 year potential extension option. Contract Value: PS767,482 (includes extension) Subject to RPIX Fare income retained by operator Contract Awarded

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Contracts Finder |
| Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/0dd5a792-fd21-4417-ae73-9d73150a49a8 |
| 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 | 27 Apr 2026 |
| Submission deadline | 23 Dec 2025 |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 16 Mar 2026 |
| Contract period | 11 Apr 2026 - 7 Apr 2029 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £767,482 |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | £767,482 |
| 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 | AUTOCAR BUS AND COACH SERVICE |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 34 - Transport equipment and auxiliary products to transportation

### Codes

- 34121100 - Public-service buses

## Release History

- 27 Apr 2026 at 12:20 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/0dd5a792-fd21-4417-ae73-9d73150a49a8

## Documents

- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/0dd5a792-fd21-4417-ae73-9d73150a49a8
  27th 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-b5fd17-7e45d588-a6c2-4199-be80-534d4a83fd6d. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-7e45d588-a6c2-4199-be80-534d4a83fd6d.json.