---
title: "Bus Operator Services for Certain Bus routes 2026-2027"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-06c7ac"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-06c7ac"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06c7ac.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06c7ac.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Tender"
buyer: "WESTMORLAND AND FURNESS COUNCIL"
published: "2026-07-09"
---

# Bus Operator Services for Certain Bus routes 2026-2027

Buyer: WESTMORLAND AND FURNESS COUNCIL  
Current stage: Tender  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-06c7ac

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## Summary

Westmorland and Furness Council is inviting tenders for bus operator services for specified routes in the 2026-2027 financial year. This procurement, under the open procedure method, is aimed at securing reliable public road transport services that enhance local connectivity and support economic, social, and environmental goals within the Westmorland and Furness region. The current stage is the tender phase, with submission of bids closing on 6th August 2026, and awards to be announced by 28th August 2026. The contracts will begin on 1st October 2026 for up to 12 months, with a possible extension of an additional six months at the council's discretion.

The tender presents a substantial opportunity for providers of public transport services, particularly SMEs, to expand their operations and establish a presence within the regions served by the council. Businesses with capabilities in delivering quality and cost-effective public transport solutions will be highly competitive, given the award criteria's focus on price and quality with weights of 70% and 30%, respectively. This procurement could lead to long-term collaboration, supporting ongoing and new routes, and replacing discontinued services, all of which enhance community accessibility and support regional economic development.

## Notice

Westmorland and Furness Council is seeking to procure suitably qualified and experienced operators to deliver a range of local bus services funded through Bus Grant Funding (formerly Bus Service Improvement Plan funding) for the 2026/27 financial year. The procurement will support the continuation of existing contracted services, the introduction of new and enhanced routes, and the replacement of services where external funding has ceased, in line with the Council's approved investment programme. The Council intends to award contracts for an initial period of up to 12 months, with an option to extend for a further period of up to 6 months at the Council's sole discretion, giving a maximum potential contract duration of 18 months. The opportunity does not establish a framework agreement but will result in the award of individual service contracts. The procurement aims to secure reliable, accessible and sustainable transport services that support local communities, improve connectivity, and contribute to wider economic, social and environmental objectives across Westmorland and Furness.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/064783-2026 |
| Notice type | UK4 - Tender Notice |
| Procurement type | Framework |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Open |
| Procurement method details | Open procedure |
| Tender suitability | SME |
| Awardee scale | Not specified |
| All stages | Tender |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 9 Jul 2026 |
| Submission deadline | 6 Aug 2026 |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | Not specified |
| Contract period | 30 Sep 2026 - 30 Sep 2027 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £3,584,000 |
| Lots value | £3,584,000 |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Active |
| Lots status | Active |
| Awards status | Not specified |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | WESTMORLAND AND FURNESS COUNCIL |
| Locality | KENDAL |
| Post town | Lancaster |
| Postcode | LA9 4DQ |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLD North West (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLD1 Cumbria |
| ITL 3 | TLD14 Westmorland and Furness |
| Local authority | Westmorland and Furness |
| Electoral ward | Kendal Strickland and Fell |
| Westminster constituency | Westmorland and Lonsdale |
| Delivery location | TLD12 East Cumbria |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 60 - Transport services (excl. Waste transport)

### Codes

- 60112000 - Public road transport services

## Release History

- 9 Jul 2026 at 13:50 - Tender - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/064783-2026

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/064783-2026
  9th July 2026 - Tender notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents
- https://www.the-chest.org.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-06c7ac. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06c7ac.json.