Re-procurement of Bus Service 6/6A Covering Darlington - Stockton TVCA-PROC-0285

Tender description

Working in coordination with Darlington and Stockton-on-Tees Borough Councils, Tees Valley Combined Authority (TVCA) would like to reprocure bus service 6/6A, covering areas from Darlington - Stockton. The current service in operation is contracted until March 2024. We therefore need to reprocure the replacement service for when the current contract comes to an end. TVCA are seeking to procure an operator to run the bus routes for 1- year, with an additional optional 1- year extension should it be required. During this time period, TVCA will provide financial support for the service. There will be a 3-month cancellation clause for the contract, should this be required. Lot 1: Residents in Darlington, through to Ingleby Barwick will be left without a bus service once the current contract comes to an end (March 2024). Whilst the current service (6/6A) has only been in operation since September 2023, TVCA are reprocuring this service now to ensure passengers will not be left without a service from March 2024. The new contract will be subject to TVCA and Local Authority Leaders agreeing to continue funding the service past the initial trial period.