BSIP Funded Early Morning and Weekend Late Evening Bus Services on Routes 1, 2, 3, 7 and 8

The contracting authority has awarded a contract for the provision of supported local bus services funded through the Department for Transport's Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP). The contract covers the operation of supported and enhanced bus services on existing local bus routes 1, 2, 3, 7 and 8, where services are not commercially viable without public subsidy.

The services are intended to maintain and improve network coverage, accessibility and service availability in accordance with the authority's adopted Bus Service Improvement Plan and Enhanced Partnership objectives. The services comprise the scheduled operation of registered local bus services, including defined journeys, frequencies and timetables on the specified routes.

Services are delivered as part of, and fully integrated with, the operator's wider commercial bus network to ensure continuity for passengers, effective interchange and consistent ticketing arrangements. The contract has a total value of £236,482.32 (excluding VAT), representing the approved BSIP revenue subsidy for the provision of these supported services for the contract period 1st January 2026 to 31st December 2026.

The subsidy is paid in return for delivery of the agreed service specification and is limited to the approved BSIP funding. The services are delivered by the operator using its own vehicles, staff and operational systems, and in compliance with all statutory requirements applicable to local bus services, including vehicle standards, driver provision, punctuality and reliability, passenger information and Enhanced Partnership aligned ticketing arrangements. No commitment is made beyond the approved contract term.