Scope
Reference
DN712987
Description
The Truro Park and Ride Services ('Services') provide a key transport link, offering reliable and affordable travel into Truro, connecting destinations such as Truro College, Royal Cornwall Hospital, New County Hall, and the city centre. The Services operate Monday to Saturday with high-frequency intervals and currently supports approximately 60,000 passenger journeys per month.
Cornwall Council previously appointed an operator to deliver the Truro Park and Ride Services following a competitive procurement. The appointed operator has now taken the decision to exit the Cornwall market, and as a result, their service will be withdrawn from Sunday 15th February 2026.
To ensure continuity of this essential service, the Council intends to undertake a direct award for the continued delivery of the Services.
This notice relates to the direct award of a new contract for the Truro Park and Ride Services from 15th February 2026 to 28th March 2028.
Contract 1. Truro Park and Ride Services
Suppliers
Supplier not yet selected
Contract value
- £3,114,961 excluding VAT
- £3,114,961 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Earliest date the contract will be signed
31 January 2026
Contract dates (estimated)
- 15 February 2026 to 28 March 2028
- 2 years, 1 month, 14 days
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 60172000 - Hire of buses and coaches with driver
- 60170000 - Hire of passenger transport vehicles with driver
Contract locations
- UKK30 - Cornwall and Isles of Scilly
Participation
Particular suitability
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
Other information
Description of risks to contract performance
None
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Direct award
Direct award justification
Extreme and unavoidable urgency
Direct award justified pursuant to Schedule 5 paragraph 13 extreme and unavoidable urgency, on the basis that the incumbent operator has taken a decision to withdraw all services from the county of Cornwall on the 14th February 2026.
This withdrawal was unforeseen and outside the Council’s control, and the Council is unable to complete a competitive procurement process before the required start date of 15 February 2026 without causing significant risk of service disruption to the Truro Park and Ride service, which is critical for workers, including NHS staff.
Contracting authority
Cornwall Council
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PYRH-9827-DWLP
County Hall
Truro
TR1 3AY
United Kingdom
Region: UKK30 - Cornwall and Isles of Scilly
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government