Buses and coaches

Tender description

This contract is to start 1.8.2016 and end 31.7.2026 This contract is direct with Bournenmouth University. Type of Procedure: Competitive Procedure with Negotiation (regulation 29). The Contracting Authority reserves the right to award the contract on the basis of the initial tenders without conducting negotiations. Introduction Bournemouth University first introduced a shuttle bus service in the late 1990's with the primary objective of transporting students from university halls of residence to the university for the purpose of academic study. In 2009, Bournemouth University working with the Arts University College at Bournemouth, tendered for a 7 year university bus contract. The contract was awarded to Wilts and Dorset (more bus). Since the commencement of the contract in 2009, there has been a growth in the number of passengers using the service each year. In 2014/15 the service recorded 800 000 passenger trips (see Appendix A), a 97 % increase from 2009/2010. The number of routes has been expanded to 4, and the capacity and frequency of service has been significantly enhanced. For example the U1 route now currently operates a 10 minute frequency during term times and a 30 minute frequency during vacation periods. Although the main purpose of the university bus service is to ensure that Students are able to get to the university during the core operational hours (during term times, Monday to Friday) for the purposes of their academic studies, a number of service enhancements has led to a greater number of staff using the service to travel to/from work. In December 2014 a skeleton U3 vacation service was introduced to assist staff from Southbourne, Boscombe and Charminster to travel to the Talbot Campus all year round at peak times by bus. Staff have also been encouraged to use the U1 and U4 services for inter campus travel, and over 40 % of staff use this service (Appendix B). The university bus service is a key Travel Plan measure for both BU and AUB. The university has invested significantly to enhance the bus service over recent years. Appendix C shows that annual investment in the service has doubled over the period 2010/11 to 2015/16. In addition the Universities have worked in partnership with both Poole and Bournemouth Councils to provide targeted improvements in infrastructure along the routes, including new bus shelters and real time information displays. As a result of this investment the University have seen a significant rise in both passenger numbers (Appendix A) and the revenue generated by the service (see Appendix C). The university is committed to a sustainable future. BU was ranked ‘first class’ in the University League 2015 for its environmental and ethical performance. BU was placed seventh out of 151 universities in the table, compiled by People and Planet, and achieved a ‘first class’ rating for the 5th year. A strategy document has been created which outlines the core principles and objectives of the university bus service over the next 10 years (Appendix D). This strategy document is the foundation of the service re-tender. The University bus service is a very important Travel Plan measure for both BU and AUB. The university has invested significantly to enhance the bus service over recent years. Appendix L, shows that annual investment in the service has doubled over the period 2010/11 to 2015/16. In addition the Universities have worked in partnership with both Poole and Bournemouth Councils to provide targeted improvements in infrastructure along the routes, including new bus shelters and real time information displays. As a result of this investment the Universities has seen a significant rise in both passenger numbers (Appendix A) and the revenue generated by the service (see Appendix L). The university is committed to a sustainable future. BU was ranked ‘first class’ in the University League 2015 for its environmental and ethical performance. BU was placed seventh out of 151 universities in the table, compiled by People and Planet, and achieved a ‘first class’ rating for the 5th year.