---
title: "Darlington Bus Service 3 & 4"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-058317"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-058317"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-058317.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-058317.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "TEES VALLEY COMBINED AUTHORITY"
published: "2026-04-08"
---

# Darlington Bus Service 3 & 4

Buyer: TEES VALLEY COMBINED AUTHORITY  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-058317

[View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-058317)  
[Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-058317.json)

## Summary

The public procurement process for the Darlington Bus Service 3 & 4, managed by Tees Valley Combined Authority, has reached the stage of contract termination. Initially, a contract was awarded on 7th August 2025, and the service was set to run from 24th March 2025 until 28th March 2026. Unfortunately, the contract, identified as TVCA-PROC-0518, has been terminated as of 8th April 2026. This procurement falls under the category of public road transport services and is located in Darlington, UK. The procurement method used was direct, following a de minimis contract approach, which allows a certain level of expenditure without the need for competitive tendering due to its "below threshold" status in line with the Transport Act and related regulations.

This procurement process provided opportunities for businesses in the public transport sector, particularly those capable of managing and operating bus services. Although the contract has been terminated, such tenders often open the door for companies to establish relationships with contracting authorities such as the Tees Valley Combined Authority. Businesses that can offer reliable and cost-effective public transport services might find similar future opportunities beneficial for expanding their market presence in regional transport services. The procurement aligns well with companies experienced in providing consistent service quality and those looking to engage in public transport contracts with sub-central governments in the UK.

## Notice

Tees Valley Combined Authority (the 'Contracting Authority'), part of the Tees Valley Combined Authority Group, have awarded a contract for the provision of Darlington Bus Service 3 & 4. Award of De Minimis bus transport subsidy contract in line with the Transport Act and Service Subsidy Agreements (Tendering) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2004. Local authorities or Passenger Transport Authorities/Executives with forecast expenditure on bus service subsidies in any one year of PS600,000 or more will be able to spend up to 25% of this on de minimis contracts; within this 25% there is no limit on the expenditure in any one year that may be incurred on an individual de minimis contract or the amount of de minimis contract expenditure in any year with any single operator.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/031695-2026 |
| Notice type | UK11 - Contract Termination Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Direct |
| Procurement method details | Below threshold - without competition |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | Large |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 8 Apr 2026 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 21 Mar 2025 |
| Contract period | 24 Mar 2025 - 28 Mar 2026 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | £79,478 |

## 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 | Not specified |

## 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

- 8 Apr 2026 at 07:42 - ContractTermination - UK11 - Contract Termination Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/031695-2026
- 7 Aug 2025 at 09:28 - Award - UK7 - Contract Details Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/046780-2025

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/031695-2026
  8th April 2026 - Contract termination notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/046780-2025
  7th August 2025 - Contract details notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- http://www.arrivabus.co.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-058317. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-058317.json.