Estimated Value
£97,000 – £160,000
Deadline
Not specified
Published
19 August 2025
Type
services
Overview
Project THRIVE - A research project that will investigate and evaluate a range of initiatives which aim to grow patronage on bus services. Essex County Council (ECC) has been allocated £4.9m in 2023/24 and £4.9m in 2024/25 from Department for Transport (DfT) Bus Service Improvement Plan Plus (BSIP+) funding, this BSIP+ funding will be used to support a range of initiatives that were set out in the Essex Bus Service Improvement Plan.
The Thrive research project was originally set out in the Essex County Council Bus Service Improvement Plan 2021-2026 which was published in 2021. The aim of the Thrive research project is to explore what targeted measures may drive growth in market town bus services.
This data led project will test a range of initiatives and assess which has the greatest impact on driving passenger growth. ECC must ensure that all funding conditions under the BSIP+ Funding agreement are complied with - As defined in the BSIP Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) : 3.2 The Authority may use the funding to target it on the actions that they – and local operators through their Enhanced Partnership (where relevant) – believe will deliver the best overall outcomes in growing long term patronage, revenues and thus maintaining service levels, whilst maintaining essential social and economic connectivity for local communities.
Lots (4)
- Lot 1Route Specific Marketing Targeted, route specific traditional marketing campaign, including route specific advertising, leaflet dropping and involvement of local councils to assist promotion (e
- Lot 2Digital Only Promotion Digital and social media only promotion / marketing Please Note - The Authority elected not to award a contract for this Tender Lot
- Lot 3Better Information Better information at every bus stop , through parishes, bus user groups, businesses, schools, clubs and communities
- Lot 4Increased Frequency Such as running the service every 30 minutes instead of hourly
Additional details
In some places that may involve ensuring existing connections are maintained (either by conventional services or DRT). Elsewhere it might be achieved through increasing the frequency on key corridors or the operating hours of some services whilst reducing others; or reducing fares or introducing new local concessions to open up new markets and revenue. 3.3 The funding must be spent on bus measures. 3.6 The funding should not be used to support generic marketing or advertising costs that are not directly related to specific improvements (such as a fares change, or new services).
ECC intend to utilise a minimal SSQ which will assess Potential Supplier Information and Exclusion Grounds. Please Note - Due to the nature of the funding we are unable to provide an estimate of the value per Lot. Please Note - The Authority elected not to award a contract for this Tender Lot.
AI AnalysisMembers
Requirements, key tasks and tips for reading this tender — included with Tendarix membership.
£4.99/month after a 7-day free trial. Cancel anytime before it ends and you pay nothing.
Award Details
First Essex Buses Limited
£160,000
Before you bid, buyers check
two years of filed accountsyour financial standingturnover vs contract valueyour Companies House recordcash flow for 30-day termscredit scores and ratios
Actions
Start free trialto open noticeCreate an account and start a 7-day free trial to open the buyer’s own notice and tender documents, plus fit scoring and the Bid Writer. Then £4.99/month — cancel anytime.
Open Bid WriterIndependent software, web & cloud studio. We design, build and grow digital products that quietly outlast their category.
How to Apply
Step-by-step submission guide
Submission Portal
Find a Tender
Open the original notice
Click the button below to view the full notice on Find a Tender Service (FTS)
Check the procedure type
The "Procedure" section tells you if it's Open (one stage) or Restricted (SQ then ITT). This changes how you apply
Access the eSourcing portal
FTS notices link to the buyer's eSourcing platform — register there to access documents
Complete the Selection Questionnaire
Higher-value contracts often require an SQ first — this pre-qualifies you before the full bid stage
Submit electronically
Upload your completed response through the eSourcing platform before the closing date and time
FTS contracts are above UK procurement thresholds. Late submissions are strictly rejected — submit at least 24 hours before the deadline to avoid portal issues.
Buyer Profile
ESSEX COUNTY COUNCILKey Dates
Published
19 August 2025
Submission deadline
Not specified
Notice type
award
Source
find a tender
Related Tenders
Land maintenance: martlesham parish 2027 - 2030
Martlesham Parish Council is seeking a supplier for a three‑year land‑maintenance service (including bus‑shelter cleaning) starting 1 April 2027, with a possible two‑year extension.
Experts at hand: occupational therapy, inclusion and participation service
'Experts at Hand' is designed to transform how support for children and young people with SEND is delivered, by bringing specialist expertise directly into mainstream early years,
Orthodontic services, hertfordshire 2027/37
NHS Hertfordshire and West Essex Integrated Care Board (referred to as the Commissioner) awarded a contract to The Specialist Orthodontic Centre for the provision of Orthodontic Se
Provision of private ambulance services for emergency (a&e/blue light)
Provision of Private Ambulance Services for Emergency (A&E/Blue Light) The East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EEAST) covers the six counties which make up the East of Eng