Decision details

Service 36 Operates between York Rail Station and Sutton on Derwent via Fulford Road. Service X36 operates between Merchantgate and Sutton on Derwent via Hull Road. Both services are linked into one contract and are part of the Council’s tendered bus network. The existing contract is expiring so a competitive tendering exercise was undertaken to identify potential best value suppliers. York Pullman was successful in the competitive tender process.

The proposed contract will be a standard City of York Council public bus services contract for a period of 5 years, with an option to extend for 3 further years.

East Riding of Yorkshire Council currently also provides a level of support for the 36/X36. Their contribution will be approximately £13,300 per annum in the new contract.

The new contract will commence on 7th April 2025.

Implications
• The budget for tendered bus services is a part of the Council’s overall revenue budget, agreed at full Council on 27th February 2025.
• The new cost for service 36/X36 (£83,473 per annum) is cheaper than the current price being paid, therefore represents a saving to the Council. The total cost for the core five-year contract period is lower than the £500k key decision threshold. Should the additional three-year option be taken up a further approval will be required.
• The competitive tendering process has been conducted in accordance with internal Contract Procedure Rules and where applicable, Procurement Regulations.
• The Council currently has powers to contract socially necessary bus services on delegation from the MCA. These delegated powers are to be extended until such a time when the MCA has fully established its public transport functions.

1. Award the contract for bus service 36/X36 to York Pullman as winner of the competitive tender process.
2. Award to a different operator. Rejected.
3. Do not award. Rejected.

Award to a different operator. Rejected because York Pullman have shown that they have provided the best value bid for service 16 by winning the tendering competition. Other operators did bid for the route but scored lower overall than York Pullman on a 70% cost / 30% quality assessment. As York Pullman won the competitive tender process it is not possible to award to another bidder.

Do not award. Rejected because this option would result in gaps in service provision along the route of bus service 36/X36.