CT1318 DPS
Framework Description
CT1318 is The City of Edinburgh Council's dynamic purchasing system for supported bus services: routes the council funds because commercial operators would not otherwise run them. Set up for five years under Find a Tender notice 013594-2024, it runs to 21 February 2029, and the notice allows for an extension of up to three years. The DPS is not divided into lots.
Context & Use Case
Edinburgh uses the DPS to contract bus operators for routes and timetables that are not commercially viable but keep communities connected to the wider network. When a route needs renewing or a new service is planned, the council can tender it among operators already admitted to the DPS rather than starting a fresh procurement, which shortens the time between identifying a gap and getting buses running.
Scope of Services
Operation of supported local bus routes Services in areas not covered by commercial operators Routes coordinated with existing public transport Flexible and responsive transport to meet community needs
Lots
See framework link
Who Can Apply
Suits licensed bus and coach operators, including smaller local firms, able to run registered local services in and around Edinburgh. As a DPS, it accepts new operators throughout its term, so qualifying operators can apply now and then be invited to compete for routes as they come up.
Buyer Benefits
The council can award individual routes quickly to operators it has already checked, which matters when a commercial service is withdrawn at short notice. Having several operators on the system creates competition on the cost of each route, and the open-entry model lets new or expanding operators bid, widening the council's choice.
Next Steps
Apply to join through Find a Tender notice 013594-2024 with your operator licence details, fleet information and evidence of running registered local services. Once admitted, expect route-by-route invitations: be ready to price vehicle, driver and mileage costs for each timetable and to show reliability and accessibility standards. Admission stays open until 21 February 2029.
How Athena Can Help
Athena can take an operator from application to awarded routes. We handle the DPS admission paperwork, including the selection questions and compliance check, so your operator credentials are presented properly.
For each route tender, our bid writing and pricing team builds quality answers on reliability, accessibility and community benefit, and models route prices that win without running at a loss. We also offer bid/no-bid decision support, useful when several routes are tendered at once and you need to pick those that fit your depot.
