Special-purpose road passenger-transport services

Tender description

Sefton Council sought to engage with a bus operator to provide a park and ride service in Southport utilising its car parks at the Esplanade and Fairways (Summer Sundays and Bank Holidays only). Sefton Council currently operates a Park and Ride service in Southport utilising its car parks at the Esplanade and Fairways (Summer Sundays and Bank Holidays only). The service operates 7 days a week (except Christmas Day and Southport Air Show Days). The council is seeking tenders for a number of service options which are based on the current service for options 1 to 3, with option 1 being the service as currently operates, option 2 being the current service but excluding Sundays in the winter and option 3 being the current service but excluding all Sundays. For Options 1 to 3, payment for the service is made by purchasing a parking ticket at the car park and drivers do not have to issue fares or check concessionary passes, etc. The council is also considering diverting the service to serve Ocean Plaza and Options 4 to 6 cover this possibility with option 4 being the re-routed service operating on the days and times as in option 1, Option 5 excluding Sundays in the winter and Option 6 excluding all Sundays. If any of options 4 to 6 are taken then whilst the majority of passengers will pre-pay at the car park, drivers will be expected to take fares and concessionary passes from passengers boarding other than at the car parks. No other pre-paid tickets will be accepted on this service. The council will only take up one of the service options.