Coach And Mini Bus Hire Framework
Framework Description
Glasgow City Council is setting up a new Coach and Mini Bus Hire Framework to replace its current agreement, which expires in January 2027. It will provide flexible passenger transport with drivers for the council and its arm's length external organisations (ALEOs), covering school trips and educational outings, community events and ad hoc trips, including short-notice bookings.
Context & Use Case
Council services, schools and ALEOs use it whenever they need a vehicle and driver for a group, whether a planned school trip, a community event or a trip arranged at short notice. Reliability and flexibility are central, because late or missing vehicles disrupt trips involving children and vulnerable groups. Having appointed operators lets bookers secure transport quickly without a separate quote process each time.
Scope of Services
Coach and minibus hire for school and educational trips Community and corporate event transport Ad hoc and planned passenger trips Short-notice and on-demand transport Driver services
Lots
See framework link
Who Can Apply
Suits coach and minibus operators with reliable fleets, qualified drivers, strong safety records and full insurance, ideally with experience of school and community transport in Glasgow. The replacement framework is at the pre-tender stage, so operators, including those not on the current agreement, can prepare now to bid when it is advertised.
Buyer Benefits
The council and its ALEOs can book vetted, insured operators quickly, including at short notice, at agreed rates. They value punctual, well-maintained vehicles, drivers experienced with children and vulnerable passengers, and operators who can supply the right vehicle size for each group.
Next Steps
Read the prior information notice (037088-2026) on the framework page, and watch Find a Tender and Public Contracts Scotland for the tender, which should come before the current agreement expires in January 2027. Get operator and driving licences, driver safeguarding checks, vehicle and insurance certificates and school and community transport references ready now.
How Athena Can Help
The replacement framework is a chance for operators outside the current agreement to win a place. Athena's bid/no-bid and bid planning support helps you decide whether to bid and what evidence to gather, and our bid writing and pricing support writes safeguarding, reliability and service answers to the criteria and sets rates that win and still pay.
Our framework finding service also identifies other passenger transport frameworks and DPSs across Scotland that are open now or due to open.
