---
title: "Bus Reform - Commercial Market Testing"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-05dbf1"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-05dbf1"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05dbf1.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05dbf1.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Planning"
buyer: "NORTH EAST COMBINED AUTHORITY"
published: "2025-11-06"
---

# Bus Reform - Commercial Market Testing

Buyer: NORTH EAST COMBINED AUTHORITY  
Current stage: Planning  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-05dbf1

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## Summary

The North East Combined Authority is currently in the planning stage of a procurement process for a project titled "Bus Reform - Commercial Market Testing," within the transport services sector. The primary focus is on developing a proposed bus franchising scheme under the Transport Act 2000, as amended by the Bus Services Act 2017. The authority is located in Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK, and is seeking to engage with the bus market to refine the commercial terms of the scheme. A market engagement notice was published on 6th November 2025, and businesses are invited to request 1-2-1 sessions or submit comments by 14th November 2025. This engagement is a preliminary market testing exercise and is not part of any pre-procurement phase.

This tender presents opportunities for businesses involved in transport services, particularly those with an interest in franchising schemes. It is well-suited for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community, and social enterprises (VCSEs) due to the light-touch regime and the inclusive nature of the opportunity. Companies with innovative business models and a strong understanding of the UK transport policy framework may find this engagement beneficial for expanding their operations and influencing future tenders in the region.

## Notice

On 8 August 2024, the North East Combined Authority published notice of its intention to prepare an assessment of a proposed bus franchising scheme in accordance with section 123B and section 123C(4) of the Transport Act 2000, as amended by the Bus Services Act 2017 (Transport Act 2000) The North East CA is developing the Franchising Scheme Assessment and is now seeking to engage with the bus market in order to inform the definition of the proposed franchising scheme. Bus Reform legislation and guidance requires the CA to state whether the commercial terms are likely to be attractive to operators - including a summary of the extent to which both incumbent and new operators are expected to bid. The North East CA has prepared market testing materials including a note covering the proposed franchising scheme, and a questionnaire to gather operator views on the proposed commercial model. There is also an opportunity to request a 1-2-1 session with the North East CA. The deadline to request 1-2-1 meetings and submit a questionnaire is the 14th November 2025. To receive the market testing materials or for any further information please contact Rachel.smith1@northeast-ca.gov.uk. This market testing exercise does not form part of any pre-procurement.

### Planning Information

To receive the market testing materials or for any further information please contact Rachel.smith1@northeast-ca.gov.uk.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/071682-2025 |
| Notice type | UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Not Specified |
| Procurement method details | Not specified |
| Tender suitability | SME, VCSE |
| Awardee scale | Not specified |
| All stages | Planning |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 6 Nov 2025 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | 14 Nov 2025 |
| Award date | Not specified |
| Contract period | 7 Nov 2025 - 30 Nov 2025 |
| 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 | Planning |
| Lots status | Planning |
| Awards status | Not specified |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | NORTH EAST COMBINED AUTHORITY |
| Locality | NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE |
| Post town | Newcastle upon Tyne |
| Postcode | NE4 5BZ |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLC North East (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLC4 Northumberland, Durham and Tyne & Wear |
| ITL 3 | TLC43 Tyneside |
| Local authority | Newcastle upon Tyne |
| Electoral ward | Arthur's Hill |
| Westminster constituency | Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West |
| Delivery location | TLC North East (England) |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 60 - Transport services (excl. Waste transport)

### Codes

- 60000000 - Transport services (excl. Waste transport)

## Release History

- 6 Nov 2025 at 14:42 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/071682-2025

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/071682-2025
  6th November 2025 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- 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-05dbf1. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05dbf1.json.