Community Transport Services (Dial-a-ride)

Tender description

Reading's Community Transport services are currently provided through a variety of arrangements, including existing agreements for Dial-a-ride services, as well as services operated internally by the Council. Reading Borough Council Adult Social Care currently provide transport through a variety of options to people with learning disabilities, people with mental health problems, people with physical disabilities and older persons across Reading. A Service Provider provides the Councils current Dial-a-ride services for people of all ages who can't make use of the mainstream bus services offered in the area. As part of the Councils continued objective to deliver best value, high quality services to its residents, we are proposing to source a single operator for the provision of all its Community Transport based services. Reading Borough Council is seeking proposals from Operators that are able meet the Councils requirements for Community Transport Services for an initial Contract Period commencing 1st October 2017 and expiring 31st March 2020. An extension period expiring 31st March 2023 will be available, subject to suitable performance during the initial term. The successful Contractor will be expected to work alongside the Council and its existing Contractor during the mobilisation period for up to one calendar month, to ensure smooth transition between service providers. The vehicles currently used in the provision of the internal Adult Social Care Transport service will be available for transfer to the successful Contractor at no cost.