Provision Of Passenger Transport Open Framework
Framework Description
Sefton Council's Provision of Passenger Transport Open Framework buys hired passenger transport, including buses, minibuses, coaches, taxis and private hire vehicles. It is split into four lots by passenger capacity, from up to five passengers to 17 or more. As an open framework, it reopens periodically to admit new operators while keeping existing ones, and it is advertised on The Chest.
Context & Use Case
Sefton Council and the wider Liverpool City Region, including Liverpool City Council, St Helens, Halton, Knowsley, Wirral and Merseytravel, use it for staff, service user and public transport needs, from routine travel to special events and one-off trips. Buyers award work to operators on the capacity lot that fits each trip.
Scope of Services
Lot 1: Vehicles for 0 to 5 passengers Lot 2: Vehicles for 6 to 8 passengers Lot 3: Vehicles for 9 to 16 passengers Lot 4: Vehicles for 17 or more passengers Bus, minibus, coach, taxi and private hire services
Lots
Lot 1 0-5 passengers; Lot 2 6-8 passengers; Lot 3 9-16 passengers; Lot 4 17+ passengers
Who Can Apply
It suits taxi and private hire firms, minibus operators and coach and bus companies serving Merseyside, including small local operators. It is live and reopens to new suppliers from time to time, so operators can apply during a reopening window rather than waiting years for a full re-tender.
Buyer Benefits
Reopening keeps the supplier pool fresh and competitive, which matters in a market where operators enter and leave. Six councils and Merseytravel sharing one framework gives buyers wide coverage, and capacity-based lots let them match the right vehicle to each job.
Next Steps
Check Sefton's framework page and The Chest for the current or next reopening window, and pick the lots that match your fleet. Gather operator and vehicle licences, insurance, driver vetting and training records, and safeguarding policies, bearing in mind that buyers across the Liverpool City Region use the framework. Apply when the window opens.
How Athena Can Help
Open frameworks reward operators who are ready when a window opens. Athena's open framework applications help you choose lots, assemble licences and safeguarding evidence and complete the application on time, with a compliance check before you submit.
Once admitted, our transport bid writing helps you win individual contracts with clear answers on safety and reliability, and our local authority bidding advice covers other council transport tenders across the North West, including when a bid is worth making.
