Home to School Transport Services DPS
Framework Description
Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council runs this Home to School Transport Services Dynamic Purchasing System to buy safe, reliable school transport for pupils in the county borough. Routes are organised into four lots by vehicle size, with a separate lot for wheelchair-accessible vehicles. The DPS started on 1 September 2024 for an initial five years to 31 August 2029, and the original notice allows up to two further years, subject to annual review.
Context & Use Case
The Council's transport team uses the DPS to contract daily school routes for mainstream and additional learning needs pupils, including children who travel in wheelchairs. Routes are typically let through competitions among admitted operators in the matching vehicle lot, allowing the Council to fill new or changed routes quickly, for example at the start of a school year or when a pupil's needs change.
Scope of Services
Lot 1: Vehicles with 4 to 8 seats Lot 2: Vehicles with 9 to 16 seats Lot 3: Vehicles with 17 or more seats Lot 4: Wheelchair-accessible vehicles
Lots
See framework link
Who Can Apply
Suits licensed taxi and private hire firms, minibus operators, coach and bus companies and specialist accessible transport providers. As a live DPS, operators can apply to join at any time until it closes, and choose the vehicle lots that match their fleet and licensing.
Buyer Benefits
School transport is a statutory duty, so the Council needs operators it can rely on every school day. A DPS lets it add new operators as the market changes and run quick competitions when routes change. Buyers will look for licensed and DBS-checked drivers and escorts, suitable vehicles, safeguarding procedures and dependable cover when drivers are absent.
Next Steps
Find the DPS via notice 017445-2024 on Find a Tender and register on the Council's e-tendering system to access the application. Check the licensing, insurance and safeguarding requirements for each vehicle lot. Apply for the lots your fleet can cover, then watch for route competitions, particularly before each September. The current term ends 31 August 2029.
How Athena Can Help
School transport applications are often rejected for missing licences, insurance or safeguarding documents rather than poor service. Athena's framework registration team checks every requirement and helps you apply for the right vehicle lots, with every certificate in date and correctly uploaded.
When route competitions open, our bid management support helps you price routes to win without eroding margin, and our help with public sector tenders helps you decide which other council transport opportunities are worth pursuing, and how to price them for a profit.
