---
title: "Darlington Bus Service 16"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-05052a"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-05052a"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05052a.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05052a.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "TEES VALLEY COMBINED AUTHORITY"
published: "2026-04-07"
---

# Darlington Bus Service 16

Buyer: TEES VALLEY COMBINED AUTHORITY  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-05052a

[View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-05052a)  
[Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05052a.json)

## Summary

The public procurement process for the "Darlington Bus Service 16" was initiated by the Tees Valley Combined Authority, located at Teesside International Airport, Darlington, in the UKC13 region. This tender falls under the category of public road transport services. The procurement method was an open competition, below threshold, with a focus on services. The timeline for key activities commenced with a tender publication on 17th April 2025, and interested parties had until 6th May 2025 to submit their bids. The contract, initially scheduled to span from 30th June 2025 to 28th March 2026, was ultimately terminated on 28th March 2026. Despite the contract's termination, the awarded supplier during the contract period was Arriva Durham County Limited.

This tender offered significant opportunities for businesses in the public transport sector aiming to expand their operations within the Tees Valley region. Companies capable of providing high-quality bus services, particularly those experienced in handling public transport contracts, would have been well-suited to compete. The tender included quality and social value considerations, in addition to price, which opened opportunities for enterprises focused on delivering comprehensive service solutions that align with community and economic objectives. SMEs were encouraged to participate, which presented a growth potential for smaller businesses aiming to establish or strengthen their presence in government contracting.

## Notice

Award of Contract to Arriva Durham County for the provision of a subsidised bus service, Darlington Bus Service 16 from Monday 30th June 2025 until Saturday 28th March 2026.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/031277-2026 |
| Notice type | UK11 - Contract Termination Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Open |
| Procurement method details | Below threshold - open competition |
| Tender suitability | SME |
| Awardee scale | Large |
| All stages | Tender, Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 7 Apr 2026 |
| Submission deadline | 6 May 2025 |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 11 May 2025 |
| Contract period | 29 Jun 2025 - 28 Mar 2026 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £192,000 |
| Lots value | £192,000 |
| Awards value | £98,759 |
| Contracts value | £98,759 |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Complete |
| Awards status | Active |
| Contracts status | Terminated |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | TEES VALLEY COMBINED AUTHORITY |
| Additional buyers | Missing |
| Locality | DARLINGTON |
| Post town | Darlington |
| Postcode | DL2 1NJ |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLC North East (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLC3 Tees Valley |
| ITL 3 | TLC33 Darlington |
| Local authority | Darlington |
| Electoral ward | Sadberge & Middleton St George |
| Westminster constituency | Stockton West |
| Delivery location | TLC1 Tees Valley and Durham |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | ARRIVA DURHAM COUNTY |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 60 - Transport services (excl. Waste transport)

### Codes

- 60112000 - Public road transport services

## Release History

- 7 Apr 2026 at 08:49 - ContractTermination - UK11 - Contract Termination Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/031277-2026
- 27 May 2025 at 14:36 - Award - UK7 - Contract Details Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/027817-2025
- 15 May 2025 at 09:46 - Award - UK6 - Contract Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/021604-2025
- 17 Apr 2025 at 15:13 - Tender - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/016035-2025

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/031277-2026
  7th April 2026 - Contract termination notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/027817-2025
  27th May 2025 - Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/021604-2025
  15th May 2025 - Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/016035-2025
  17th April 2025 - Tender notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- http://www.arrivabus.co.uk
- https://procontract.due-north.com/Advert?advertId=a6421564-9b1b-f011-8136-005056b64545&fromProjectDashboard=True
- https://teesvalley-ca.gov.uk/
- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents

## 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-05052a. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05052a.json.