Scope
Description
Surrey County Council is committed to sourcing sustainable, safe, secure, and reliable local bus routes that are socially necessary, as defined by the Transport Acts 1985 and 2000.
Since the deregulation of bus services in 1986, the responsibility for providing local bus services has primarily rested with the commercial sector. However, bus operators typically offer only commercially viable services. When services are deemed socially necessary by a Local Authority (LA) and require funding support, it becomes the LA's obligation to secure such services through a tendering process.
Socially necessary bus routes funded by Surrey County Council serve communities across Surrey, providing essential services that enable residents to access employment, education, essential shopping, reduce social isolation, and attend routine medical appointments.
Commercial tool
Establishes a framework
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 December 2025 to 30 November 2033
- 8 years
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 60100000 - Road transport services
Contract locations
- UKJ2 - Surrey, East and West Sussex
Engagement
Engagement deadline
20 March 2025
Engagement process description
Current Public Bus Service DPS (Dynamic Purchasing System) is due to expire on 31st January 2026.
Surrey County Council, in partnership with Brighton & Hove City Council, East Sussex County Council and West Sussex County Council, is planning to reprocure the service under new Procurement Act 2023 (PA 2023). With this in mind, we would like to invite current and potential providers to take part in our virtual market engagement session.
The purpose of this event will be to:
-Provide information on current services and share future plans
-Share a high-level indicative procurement timeline
-Guide operators to resources for understanding the requirements under PA 2023 and their implications
-Outline policy requirements during tender process (Social Value, Sustainability and Modern Slavery)
-Answer questions and gather feedback.
Registration details:
Providers wishing to attend should reply via the Proactis portal (https://supplierlive.proactisp2p.com/Account/Login) under the project "AW SCC Public Bus Service re-procurement Market Engagement" (RFX1000725) or via email to ania.wroblewska@surreycc.gov.uk by 16.00 on 18th March 2025. The event will be held on 20th March 2025. This event will be delivered virtually via Microsoft Teams.
If you wish to attend, please reply by providing following information:
• Name of attendee(s)
• Job title of attendee(s)
• Organisation details, including address and contact details.
Please note that attendance will be limited to 3 attendees per organisation.
We will be providing more information, including the session agenda and meeting invites on or after 18th March 2025.
We look forward to receiving your response and hearing your thoughts and ideas at the event.
An expression of interest in attending this Market Engagement Event does not constitute a commitment to participate in any future tender process, nor does it confer any preferential status on those Providers who attend. Participation in this event will not automatically grant eligibility to engage in any subsequent procurement exercise. Any procurement resulting from this event will be publicly advertised in accordance with legal requirements, and all organisations wishing to participate will need to submit a response to the advertisement once it is published. Providers who do not attend this Market Engagement Event will still be able to apply for the procurement in the future.
Participation
Particular suitability
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
Contracting authority
Surrey County Council
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PWRH-8974-TNBV
Woodhatch Place, 11 Cockshot Hill
Reigate
RH2 8EF
United Kingdom
Region: UKJ26 - East Surrey
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government
Other organisations
These organisations are carrying out the procurement, or part of it, on behalf of the contracting authorities.
Brighton and Hove City Council
Summary of their role in this procurement: Supporting Surrey County Council
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PNNH-3312-CQGT
Hove Town Hall, Norton Road
Hove
BN3 3BQ
United Kingdom
Region: UKJ21 - Brighton and Hove
East Sussex County Council
Summary of their role in this procurement: Supporting Surrey County Council
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PXGX-2145-PRQJ
County Hall, St Anne's Crescent
Lewes
BN7 1UE
United Kingdom
Region: UKJ22 - East Sussex CC
West Sussex County Council
Summary of their role in this procurement: Supporting Surrey County Council
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PXJW-5627-QRQR
County Hall, West Street
Chichester
PO19 1RQ
United Kingdom
Region: UKJ27 - West Sussex (South West)