Taxi services

Tender description

Demand responsive transport services to locations within West Lothian. At present the council have 9 routes supported by demand responsive transport, known as taxibuses. Routes are set to a timetable to offer hourly service to and from rural areas where no local bus service currently exists, with set pick up/drop off points. The nature of these services is such that these journeys will only operate when pre-booked. Transport is currently required up to 7 days per week, route dependent. Numbers of passengers vary. These services are to be operated under a Special Restricted Operators Licence issued by the office of the traffic commissioner, and fully registered as local bus services. West Lothian Council wish to inform you that we will shortly be going out to the market to award a framework agreement to secure the most competent taxi transport companies who will provide demand response transport services for a period of up to 4 years. The Council is currently working on the specification, but can provide the following information based on the current framework routes and needs i.e. 9 routes which are either pre-booked taxis or booked by passengers for pick up or drop off at pre-determined locations e.g. Broxburn to Deans Industrial Estate must be pre-booked for collection from Broxburn Main Street at 5.30 Monday to Saturday. Newton — South Queensberry’s arrival/departures are hourly from 6.42 to 18.42. It should be noted that all information provided in this prior information notice is for guidance purposes only as definitive routes, timetables or other information and requirements will be provided in the tender document which will be published on PCS tender as soon as it becomes available. It is anticipated that the contract will commence from 1.4.2020 and will be awarded to multiple operators for a period of up to 4 years or as needed by the Council, with all competent operators who pass the ESPD qualification being invited for evaluation, based on price and quality of service.