---
title: "PL0093 - Project THRIVE"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-04b53c"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-04b53c"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-04b53c.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-04b53c.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "ESSEX COUNTY COUNCIL"
published: "2025-08-19"
---

# PL0093 - Project THRIVE

Buyer: ESSEX COUNTY COUNCIL  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-04b53c

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## Summary

Project THRIVE, initiated by Essex County Council, delves into various initiatives to boost bus service patronage. Funded by the Department for Transport's Bus Service Improvement Plan Plus, this procurement falls under the service industry category of public road transport. The process, using an open procedure, was completed, and, as of August 2025, First Essex Buses Limited was awarded contracts for 'Route Specific Marketing' and 'Better Information'. The initiative aims to drive passenger growth in the UKH3 region through targeted bus marketing and enhanced information services, with contracts signed in June 2025.

This tender offers ample opportunities for businesses involved in public transport, digital marketing, and community services. Companies that specialise in route-specific transportation marketing, digital promotions, or have vast experience in improving public transport information systems would be well-suited to engage in such procurements. By executing strategic and advanced marketing techniques, successful bidders can enhance their portfolio and contribute to regional public transport enhancements.

## Notice

Project THRIVE - A research project that will investigate and evaluate a range of initiatives which aim to grow patronage on bus services. Essex County Council (ECC) has been allocated PS4.9m in 2023/24 and PS4.9m in 2024/25 from Department for Transport (DfT) Bus Service Improvement Plan Plus (BSIP+) funding, this BSIP+ funding will be used to support a range of initiatives that were set out in the Essex Bus Service Improvement Plan. The Thrive research project was originally set out in the Essex County Council Bus Service Improvement Plan 2021-2026 which was published in 2021. The aim of the Thrive research project is to explore what targeted measures may drive growth in market town bus services. This data led project will test a range of initiatives and assess which has the greatest impact on driving passenger growth. ECC must ensure that all funding conditions under the BSIP+ Funding agreement are complied with - As defined in the BSIP Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) : 3.2 The Authority may use the funding to target it on the actions that they - and local operators through their Enhanced Partnership (where relevant) - believe will deliver the best overall outcomes in growing long term patronage, revenues and thus maintaining service levels, whilst maintaining essential social and economic connectivity for local communities. In some places that may involve ensuring existing connections are maintained (either by conventional services or DRT). Elsewhere it might be achieved through increasing the frequency on key corridors or the operating hours of some services whilst reducing others; or reducing fares or introducing new local concessions to open up new markets and revenue. 3.3 The funding must be spent on bus measures. 3.6 The funding should not be used to support generic marketing or advertising costs that are not directly related to specific improvements (such as a fares change, or new services). ECC intend to utilise a minimal SSQ which will assess Potential Supplier Information and Exclusion Grounds. Please Note - Due to the nature of the funding we are unable to provide an estimate of the value per Lot.

### Lot Information

Route Specific Marketing

Lot 1 - Route Specific Marketing Targeted, route specific traditional marketing campaign, including route specific advertising, leaflet dropping and involvement of local councils to assist promotion (e.g. assist with promotion at transport hubs, tourist centres, etc).

Digital Only Promotion

Lot 2 - Digital Only Promotion Digital and social media only promotion / marketing Please Note - The Authority elected not to award a contract for this Tender Lot.

Better Information

Lot 3 - Better Information Better information at every bus stop , through parishes, bus user groups, businesses, schools, clubs and communities.

Increased Frequency

Lot 4 - Increased Frequency Such as running the service every 30 minutes instead of hourly. Please Note - The Authority elected not to award a contract for this Tender Lot.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/049746-2025 |
| Notice type | Planning Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Open |
| Procurement method details | Open procedure |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | Large |
| All stages | Planning, Tender, Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 19 Aug 2025 |
| Submission deadline | 7 Feb 2025 |
| Future notice date | 17 Mar 2025 |
| Award date | 19 Jun 2025 |
| Contract period | Not specified |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £2,000,000 |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | £257,000 |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Cancelled |
| Awards status | Active, Unsuccessful |
| Contracts status | Active |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | ESSEX COUNTY COUNCIL |
| Locality | CHELMSFORD |
| Post town | Chelmsford |
| Postcode | CM1 1QH |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLH East (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLH3 Essex |
| ITL 3 | TLH36 Heart of Essex |
| Local authority | Chelmsford |
| Electoral ward | Moulsham and Central |
| Westminster constituency | Chelmsford |
| Delivery location | TLH3 Essex |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | FIRST ESSEX BUSES |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 60 - Transport services (excl. Waste transport)

### Codes

- 60112000 - Public road transport services

## Release History

- 19 Aug 2025 at 09:53 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/049746-2025
- 13 Jan 2025 at 12:04 - Tender - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/001004-2025
- 13 Dec 2024 at 16:56 - TenderUpdate - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/040343-2024
- 8 Nov 2024 at 15:58 - Planning - Planning Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/036313-2024

## Notice URLs

- https://procontract.due-north.com/Login
- https://www.essex.gov.uk/

## 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-h6vhtk-04b53c. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-04b53c.json.