---
title: "Bus Reform"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-07748a"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-07748a"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-07748a.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-07748a.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Planning"
buyer: "York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority"
published: "2026-09-17"
---

# Bus Reform

Buyer: York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority  
Current stage: Planning  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-07748a

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## Summary

York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority is planning to procure transport systems consultancy services for a bus franchising assessment across York and North Yorkshire. The work will develop a franchise proposal drawing on recommendations from the rural franchising pilot and assess that model against alternative options. It will also involve obtaining appropriate data from bus operators, local authorities, partners and other sources to support robust economic, commercial and financial cases. The appointed organisation will lead consultation on the franchise proposal, manage responses and support stakeholder engagement and external communications. It will produce a consultation report and use the findings to inform the final recommendation and decision, including statutory elements required by the Department for Transport for legal compliance.

This procurement is at the planning stage: the Combined Authority has stated its intention to procure and is undertaking preliminary market engagement rather than inviting tenders. It expects a single lot, suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises, with a planned contract period from 28 February 2027 to 27 February 2028. Organisations are asked to provide input through the Bus Reform Request for Information, reference RFI 100114275, with the engagement response expected by 1 October 2026. The anticipated work is a services contract for a franchising assessment. The assessment will need to cover the economic, commercial and financial case, consultation and stakeholder activity, communications, and statutory requirements for a legally compliant recommendation.

The work is likely to suit consultancies and specialist partnerships experienced in bus franchising, public transport reform or transport systems consultancy. Strong candidates will be able to develop and compare franchising models, build robust economic, commercial and financial cases, and acquire, validate and analyse data from operators, councils and other partners. Experience of designing and delivering public consultations, managing responses, engaging stakeholders and producing formal consultation reports will be important. Suppliers should also understand external communications and the statutory requirements governing franchising assessments, including Department for Transport expectations and legal compliance. The procurement is identified as suitable for SMEs, so capable smaller consultancies may be well placed to prepare, either independently or with complementary partners.

## Notice

YNYCA is seeking input from organisations with relevant experience in delivering a franchising assessment covering the following aspects: * Development of the franchise proposal based on the recommendations of the rural franchising pilot, and assessment of that model against other options. * Lead on the acquisition of appropriate data from operators, local authorities, partners and other sources to ensure the assessment, including the economic, commercial and financial case, is sufficiently robust. * Lead the consultation on the franchise proposal, including managing responses, supporting in the management of stakeholders, supporting in external communications, producing a consultation report and using that work to inform the final recommendation/decision. * Any other statutory elements of the franchising assessment set out by the Department for Transport to ensure the assessment is legally compliant.

### Planning Information

Please find YNYCA PME documents by searching RFI 100114275 - Bus Reform Request for Information. This is available via https://uk.eu-supply.com/ctm/supplier/publictenders?B=YORTENDER.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/088276-2026 |
| 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 |
| Awardee scale | Not specified |
| All stages | Planning |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 17 Sep 2026 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | Not specified |
| Contract period | 28 Feb 2027 - 27 Feb 2028 |
| 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 | York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority |
| Locality | YORK |
| Postcode area | York |
| Postcode | YO1 6GA |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLE Yorkshire and The Humber |
| ITL 2 | TLE2 North Yorkshire |
| ITL 3 | TLE21 York |
| Local authority | York |
| Electoral ward | Micklegate |
| Westminster constituency | York Central |
| Delivery location | TLE Yorkshire and The Humber |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services

### Codes

- 71311200 - Transport systems consultancy services

## Release History

- 17 Sep 2026 at 14:22 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/088276-2026

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/088276-2026
  17th September 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- https://uk.eu-supply.com/ctm/supplier/publictenders?B=YORTENDER
- 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-07748a. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-07748a.json.