Coach Hire with Driver Framework Agreement
Framework Description
Lancaster University's coach hire with driver framework covers transport for students, staff and visitors, including ad hoc coach services and international arrivals. It has six lots, some of them low-value lots designed to let smaller operators take part. The framework runs until 31 July 2028, with an option to extend up to 2030. The university is not a contracting authority under the Procurement Act 2023 and advertised voluntarily.
Context & Use Case
University departments book coaches for field trips, events, conferences and operational transport, and for bringing international students from arrival points to campus. The lot structure separates ad hoc work from specific requirements such as international arrivals, so the university can use larger operators for big moves and smaller firms for low-value jobs.
Scope of Services
Lot 1: Ad hoc coach requirements Lot 2: Ad hoc coaches that are wheelchair accessible or have toilet facilities Lot 3: International arrivals Lot 4: Open day shuttle buses Lot 5: Cardinal Newman Lot 6: LMS
Lots
6 lots covering ad-hoc coach services, international arrivals and other specific requirements
Who Can Apply
Suits coach operators of all sizes, including smaller firms suited to the low-value lots. The framework is Live and applications are closed, so new operators cannot join until Lancaster re-tenders it, likely around July 2028 or 2030 if extended.
Buyer Benefits
Lancaster gets dependable coach transport from operators already checked for safety, insurance and driver safeguarding. Low-value lots widen competition and give the university local options, while a dedicated arrivals lot supports the large logistics of welcoming international students. Buyers value operators who confirm bookings promptly and keep to agreed pick-up times.
Next Steps
Appointed operators should plan capacity for peaks such as international arrivals and term starts. Others should build university and school transport references and watch Lancaster's In-Tend portal for the re-tender ahead of 31 July 2028. Procurement ocds-h6vhtk-068098 shows how the lots were structured.
How Athena Can Help
Athena can help coach operators prepare for Lancaster's next procurement. Our bid/no-bid help for small operators can show which lots fit your fleet, and our tender writing team presents your safety and safeguarding record with competitive pricing.
To build references in the meantime, our passenger transport framework pipeline highlights other university and public sector coach frameworks opening soon. We can also run a compliance check on every document you submit, from insurance certificates to driver records.
