Bus Reform - Commercial Market Testing

On 8 August 2024, the North East Combined Authority published notice of its intention to prepare an assessment of a proposed bus franchising scheme in accordance with section 123B and section 123C(4) of the Transport Act 2000, as amended by the Bus Services Act 2017 (Transport Act 2000) The North East CA is developing the Franchising Scheme Assessment and is now seeking to engage with the bus market in order to inform the definition of the proposed franchising scheme. Bus Reform legislation and guidance requires the CA to state whether the commercial terms are likely to be attractive to operators - including a summary of the extent to which both incumbent and new operators are expected to bid.

The North East CA has prepared market testing materials including a note covering the proposed franchising scheme, and a questionnaire to gather operator views on the proposed commercial model. There is also an opportunity to request a 1-2-1 session with the North East CA.

The deadline to request 1-2-1 meetings and submit a questionnaire is the 14th November 2025. This market testing exercise does not form part of any pre-procurement.