Electric Rapid Transit Service for the City of Derby

Tender description

Derby City Council are proposing to introduce an Electric Rapid Transit service to the city centre, a new form of transport infrastructure for the City of Derby. The project is supported through the Governments Transforming Cities Fund, aimed at improving connections between major employment sites and promoting active travel and public transport. The project will also contribute towards National and Local Decarbonising Plans to achieve zero emissions fleet vehicles. The eRT route would be a key investment in revitalising the public transport offer in the city, providing a new emission free, high frequency, rapid seamless service, which would include some traffic-free routing' and priority at key signal-controlled junctions. eRT is planned to operate between the Pride Park employment area, Derby Station, Bus Station, city centre, and Cathedral Quarter urban regeneration area. This aims to help to integrate the rail and bus stations, key locations in the city and Pride Park (football stadium, arena, and existing Park & Ride site). It would also deliver a central spine from which other public transport routes can radiate. The Council intends to procure a single provider to operate the service. The project delivery target for the service commencing is end of March 2023 with a potential extension to the service commencing end of March 2024. This is subject to an agreement from the awarding grant authority, The Department for Transport. Should the Council decide to progress with a formal procurement process a Contract Notice will be published. Following publication of the Contract Notice, the Invitation to tender documents will be available via https://www.eastmidstenders.org. Please note that the date given at II.3. Estimated date of publication of contract notice is for indicative purposes only. Lot 1: The eRT service would integrate with the existing network which would include some traffic-free routing, priority at key signal-controlled junctions and real time information at stops and in vehicles It is an essential requirement that the service will be zero emissions most probably electric or possibly hydrogen. Early indications would suggest that the vehicles will be 12 metre in length. It is intended that the vehicles will present themselves in the traditional sense similar to the Glider in Belfast to maximise modal transfer from car. The service must be available Monday to Sunday to facilitate commuters, workers and leisure users. The exact hours of operation will be agreed with the successful operator. Some extended hours may be required to facilitate shift working at employment sites in the area.