Home to School Transport Open Framework - Taxi and Small Bus Services
Framework Description
Hull City Council is preparing a Home to School Transport Open Framework for taxi and small bus services, run by its Passenger Transport Team. As an open framework, it will reopen to new suppliers at set points during its term, which is expected to run until 3 November 2034. The council held market engagement events in May 2026 to share its commissioning plans and timeline.
Context & Use Case
Hull City Council uses taxis and small buses to meet its statutory duty to transport eligible pupils to school, including children with special educational needs, and for other transport needs. An open framework lets the council bring in new operators over time as routes and demand change, rather than locking the supply base for the full term.
Scope of Services
Home to school transport Taxi services Small bus services
Lots
See framework link
Who Can Apply
Suits taxi, private hire and small bus operators licensed to work in Hull, with experience of school or special needs transport. The framework is coming soon, so the route in will be the first tender; because it is an open framework, later reopenings will offer further chances to join.
Buyer Benefits
An open framework gives the council a growing pool of operators, which helps cover routes and keep prices competitive. It values safe, reliable services, properly checked drivers and passenger assistants, suitable vehicles and fast response to route changes. It also values operators who communicate well with schools and families.
Next Steps
Register on YORtender, which the council uses for this procurement, and watch the Find a Tender notice for the tender date. Prepare licences, insurance, vehicle lists, safeguarding training and DBS checks for drivers and passenger assistants. If you missed the May 2026 events, ask the council through YORtender for the presentation materials.
How Athena Can Help
Open frameworks reward operators who get their first application right. Athena's open framework application support can prepare your submission, gather licences, insurances and safeguarding policies, and check it for compliance.
Our bid writing and pricing help builds strong answers for route competitions, and our public sector bid guidance helps you decide how many routes your fleet can realistically take on. That keeps you from overstretching and missing routes. We can also plan for later reopenings.
