--- title: "Bus Franchising in the Liverpool City Region - Category 1 Passport System" ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-cefba707-39e0-4d21-a3aa-d389ba9a83a1" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-cefba707-39e0-4d21-a3aa-d389ba9a83a1" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-cefba707-39e0-4d21-a3aa-d389ba9a83a1.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-cefba707-39e0-4d21-a3aa-d389ba9a83a1.json" source: "Contracts Finder" current_stage: "Tender" buyer: "LIVERPOOL CITY REGION COMBINED AUTHORITY" published: "2025-02-10" --- # Bus Franchising in the Liverpool City Region - Category 1 Passport System Buyer: LIVERPOOL CITY REGION COMBINED AUTHORITY Current stage: Tender OCID: ocds-b5fd17-cefba707-39e0-4d21-a3aa-d389ba9a83a1 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-cefba707-39e0-4d21-a3aa-d389ba9a83a1) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-cefba707-39e0-4d21-a3aa-d389ba9a83a1.json) ## Summary The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority is inviting tenders for the Category 1 Passport System under its Bus Franchising Scheme. The procurement, which covers the transport industry, is at the tender stage and is focused on providing bus services within the Liverpool City Region, specifically targeting St Helens and the Wirral. Key dates include the tender period ending on 24 February 2025, with the contract starting on 10 March 2025 and running until 23 February 2029. The procurement method falls under 'Other' and is classified under CPV 60000000, which excludes waste transport services. LCRCA will provide depots and buses, while the operators are responsible for the maintenance and servicing of the vehicles. This tender represents a significant opportunity for businesses in the transport sector, particularly those equipped to manage bus operations from LCRCA-provided depots. The franchise model removes revenue risk from operators, offering a stable financial environment ideal for SMEs interested in expanding their service offerings. Businesses that specialise in transport and have the capacity to ensure roadworthy, well-maintained fleets, as well as skilled staffing, are well-suited to compete for this tender, which could lead to substantial growth opportunities within the Liverpool City Region. ## Notice On 25 April 2023, LCRCA published an Assessment on Bus Franchising in the Liverpool City Region which sets out the proposed bus Franchising Scheme in accordance with the Transport Act. In October 2023, the Liverpool City Region Mayor made a Franchising Scheme covering the Liverpool City Region. Franchising is to be introduced over a number of tranches of procurement. Franchised contracts will be let in two categories: i. Category 1 franchises, which are those Franchise Agreements involving multiple services that will operate from a depot provided by LCRCA. LCRCA will provide the depot from which the services relating to the Category 1 franchise must be operated. LCRCA will predominately provide the fleet that must be used on the Category 1 franchise. ii. Category 2 franchises, which are those Franchise Agreements which either i) provide services to serve schools or ii) provide other local services. In both cases the franchises will be delivered from an operator's own depot. This notice relates to Category 1 franchises. The first tranche of Category 1 franchises are expected to relate to St Helens and the Wirral. Key elements of Category 1 franchises will include: Delivery of requirement: the operator of each franchise will be required to provide bus services in accordance with detailed individual franchise package specifications. Revenue risk: the operator will not be required to assume revenue risk. Revenue risk will be primarily taken by LCRCA. Depots: LCRCA will provide the depots from which the Category 1 franchises will be operated. Buses: LCRCA will primarily be responsible for providing the vehicles which will operate Category 1 contacts. Repair, maintenance and servicing of buses: the operator will be responsible for the repair, maintenance and servicing of vehicles whilst ensuring that there are in a roadworthy condition. Staff: the operator is responsible for ensuring that it has all necessary and suitably trained staff to deliver the requirement detailed in the individual franchise specifications. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Contracts Finder | | Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/51013646-ce43-42e6-9da1-8484a5a9d22e | | Notice type | Tender Notice | | Procurement type | Standard | | Procurement category | Services | | Procurement method | Not Specified | | Procurement method details | Other - | | Tender suitability | SME | | Awardee scale | Not specified | | All stages | Tender | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 10 Feb 2025 | | Submission deadline | 24 Feb 2025 | | Future notice date | Not specified | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | 10 Mar 2025 - 23 Feb 2029 | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | Not specified | | Lots value | Not specified | | Awards value | Not specified | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Active | | Lots status | Not specified | | Awards status | Not specified | | Contracts status | Not specified | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | LIVERPOOL CITY REGION COMBINED AUTHORITY | | Locality | LIVERPOOL | | Post town | Liverpool | | Postcode | L3 1BP | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLD North West (England) | | ITL 2 | TLD7 Merseyside | | ITL 3 | TLD72 Liverpool | | Local authority | Liverpool | | Electoral ward | Waterfront South | | Westminster constituency | Liverpool Riverside | | Delivery location | TLC North East (England), TLD North West (England), TLF East Midlands (England), TLG West Midlands (England), TLH East (England), TLJ South East (England), TLK South West (England) | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 60 - Transport services (excl. Waste transport) ### Codes - 60000000 - Transport services (excl. Waste transport) ## Release History - 10 Feb 2025 at 13:58 - Tender - Tender Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/51013646-ce43-42e6-9da1-8484a5a9d22e ## Documents - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/51013646-ce43-42e6-9da1-8484a5a9d22e 10th February 2025 - Opportunity notice on Contracts Finder - https://procontract.due-north.com/Advert?advertId=77fc27e6-b3e7-ef11-8134-005056b64545 Advert - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/004340-2025? Qualification System - Utilities Notice ## Notice URLs - http://www.liverpoolcityregion-ca.gov.uk/ - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/004340-2025 ## 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-cefba707-39e0-4d21-a3aa-d389ba9a83a1. 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