The DPS comprises two lots:
Lot 1: traditional bus services with set routes and timetables.
Lot 2 : covers demand responsive transport and other non-typical bus provision.
Note: The DPS excludes the provision of home to school transport for pupils with special transport requirements, e.g. wheelchair and/or passenger assistant.
The Council has a duty under the 1985 Transport Act 'to secure the provision of such public passenger transport services as the council consider it appropriate to secure to meet any public transport requirements ... which would not in its view be met apart from any action taken by it for that purpose.'
The agreement will provide the structure to procure routes, the Bus Strategy developed during 2020 defines what the Council deems appropriate under the Act, and the call offs under this framework will procure those routes, ensuring by the appropriate qualitative criteria that any route details put forward by operators fulfil the requirements defined in the Strategy.
As of June 2022 the Council provides 9 subsidised public bus services operating Mon-Sat with three of these services also operating late into the evening and on Sundays. The Council also contributes to a route procured by the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead.
The procurement process will be run in accordance with the following programme:
First Mini Tenders released from: 28.11.2022
DPS end date: 30.11.2037
Bracknell Forest Borough CouncilSouth East28 Nov 2037WAC-10495
View 2-notice timelineLatest notice released 28 Nov 2037
Local GovernmentUpdate 4 notices
Home to School Transport Dynamic Market
Bracknell Forest Council intends to create a new Dynamic Market for the provision of Home to School Transport for children and young people with SEND needs within the Bracknell Forest geographical area.
Whilst not subject to the Light Touch Regime, interested parties should note that similar standards will be applied in respect of passenger safety and driver standard checks, due to the service users consisting of vulnerable young people.
The Council is currently considering the precise service model, and the application of Lots, structure of routes and operational model may change prior to the publication of the tender, therefore the Council is unable to define Lots, if any, at this time. Interested parties should not consider the current structure to be indicative at this time, as this is part of the redesign considerations.
The Council intends to commence pre-market engagement and consultation in early 2026 to support this redesign and involve potential contractors, prior to commencing the tender process in Spring 2026.
Bracknell Forest Council and Wokingham Council are seeking a contractor to delivers highways maintenance and works for all highways the Councils are responsible for within their boroughs. This may be commissioned as a joint contract, or the two Councils may instead determine to proceed with 2 separate individual contracts.
The councils will be undertaking market consultation in 2027 to assist in determining how they wish to proceed.