Road transport services

Tender description

As part of the Department for Transport (DfT) sponsored Total Transport Projects, North Lincolnshire Council developed a pilot project to test the viability and feasibility of demand responsive bus services in the more rural parts of the authority’s area. The pilot project ran until March 2017, at which time the authority decided to maintain the services. The contract to operate the services is due to expire shortly (March 2019) and the Council is keen to consider what other options might be open to it. The Authority is undertaking this Preliminary Market Consultation to understand what the market considers might be alternative operating solutions to manage and run the Call Connect Demand Responsive Transport (DRT) services including but not restricted to the hours of operation, the makeup of the areas covered, the way the services could be marketed, the types of vehicles operated and how passengers could book travel. Preliminary Market Consultation (PMC) allows local authorities and other contracting authorities in the public sector, to engage with a market. PMC is not a call for competition. Following this PMC, the Authority may conclude that procurement is not the best solution to meet a particular strategy outcome. The Authority may conclude that it would be better to do something entirely different to the intent within this PMC. It is essential that any organisation participating in the PMC understands that a procurement opportunity is not guaranteed. Call connect is a demand responsive mode of transport, open to all passengers provided they live in the areas served but passengers must register to be permitted to use the service and then book their journey(s) in advance. Call connect was piloted in North Lincolnshire in 2016. 4 operating areas help to provide blanket coverage of call connect services and provide access to essential goods and services to those who need it and who have not got alternative transport options. Services are provided by 2 operators with the central scheduling and booking function provided by Lincolnshire County Council. Call connect is ideally placed to fill the gaps that conventional bus services are unable to fill. In addition, with good connections to other frequent services and the removal of barriers to interchange, call connect can help to integrate the public transport network across North Lincolnshire to better meet the needs of all local residents. The Authority is requesting that all interested parties complete the questionnaire available on www.yortender.co.uk The Authority has also set aside a date to invite some respondants to an individual meeting to discuss their response further if required.