Issue - meetings

RESOLVED:

1.       That the background information set out in the report be noted.

2.       Following consideration of the results of the procurement process in part 2 of the meeting, the award of contracts to the following nine operators be agreed:

       Hallmark Connections, Falcon Coaches, Stagecoach South, Cardinal Buses, Reptons Coaches, C E Jeatt & Son, London United Busways, Carlone Buses and Compass Travel.

       The contract length will be three years with the option to extend up to a maximum of eight years, as permitted by the 1985 Transport Act. The total annual value of these contracts will be £2.827m of which £2.619m relates to the services in north Surrey.

Reasons for Decisions:

This recommendation will enable Surrey County Council to achieve:

·                A net full year saving of £0.7m compared to the previous aggregated cost of the routes.

·                A robust bus network delivery of essential public transport to residents of Surrey.

·                Services delivered by Operators who are reputable and meet the Council’s minimum level of quality.

·                Funding arrangements with Operators that are sustainable.

·                Ensuring the Council complies with the Procurement Standing Orders (PSO), requiring Cabinet approval for those contracts that reach a specified value.

[The decision on this item may be called in by either the Corporate Services Select Committee or the Environment and Infrastructure Select Committee]

The Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport considered that the re-tendering of these public bus contracts was ‘good news’ for Surrey residents because these contract awards, which covered Abellio bus routes would improve services in some areas whilst saving the Council £700,000 annually.

He said that this report sought to award 24 bus contracts to 9 operators for the provision of public bus services to commence on 2 September 2017. Of these, twenty two contracts related to north Surrey, principally in the Elmbridge, Runnymede, Spelthorne and Woking areas, for services currently or formerly operated by Abellio. The remaining two contracts are for services in the rural area between Guildford and Cranleigh. The financial details relating to these contracts were set out in a part 2 report to be considered later in the meeting.

He referred to Abellio scaling back its operation in north Surrey in December 2016 and that withdrawn services had been covered by other operators. He also highlighted those services with planned improvements to their service, such as extending the 555 route to Whiteley Village. He also drew attention to the financial and value for money implications set out within paragraph 34 of the report.

Cabinet Members were pleased that service levels had been retained. They were also advised that the new bus timetables would be on the Surrey County Council website shortly.

RESOLVED:

1.       That the background information set out in the report be noted.

2.       Following consideration of the results of the procurement process in   2 part of the meeting, the award of contracts to the following nine operators be agreed:

       Hallmark Connections, Falcon Coaches, Stagecoach South, Cardinal Buses, Reptons Coaches, C E Jeatt & Son, London United Busways, Carlone Buses and Compass Travel.

       The contract length will be three years with the option to extend up to a maximum of eight years, as permitted by the 1985 Transport Act. The total annual value of these contracts will be £2.827m of which £2.619m relates to the services in north Surrey.

Reasons for Decisions:

This recommendation will enable Surrey County Council to achieve:

·                A net full year saving of £0.7m compared to the previous aggregated cost of the routes.

·                A robust bus network delivery of essential public transport to residents of Surrey.

·                Services delivered by Operators who are reputable and meet the Council’s minimum level of quality.

·                Funding arrangements with Operators that are sustainable.

·                Ensuring the Council complies with the Procurement Standing Orders (PSO), requiring Cabinet approval for those contracts that reach a specified value.