Bus tender at final stage

14 February 2012

Transport and Technical Services (TTS) is now at the final stage in the process of appointing a bus operator for the new contract starting in 2013.

From an initial list of 11 companies, 7 were invited to formally tender and following a robust, 6 month tender process, the Minister of Transport and Technical Services has agreed to proceed with 1 preferred tenderer to the final negotiation stage of the contract to provide commuter, school and town bus services for the Island.

TTS has identified CT Plus as the frontrunner, having evaluated all the tender submissions against clear criteria of cost, quality and technical expertise, managed by a team of bus industry experts working with TTS officers.

Earlier stages of the tender process allowed the different companies to be evaluated on a level footing. Now, having identified the preferred bidder, the team will be able to focus on the local detail and develop specific proposals required to meet Jersey’s needs, including achieving the Sustainable Transport Policy’s targets for 2015. The contract is still in negotiation and either party can still withdraw, but there is a strong level of commitment to the process on both sides.

Should the negotiation stage not be successful then the other tenderers will be given the opportunity to step in.
 
The existing contract makes provisions for the transfer of staff to the new contract and the union is being kept informed. Also, it is without doubt that additional drivers will need to be recruited, in order to provide the increase in passenger capacity required by the STP. The new contract also incentivises the operator to provide staff training to nationally recognised standards, which will increase opportunities for Islanders to pursue a career in public transport.

Deputy Kevin Lewis, the Minister for Transport and Technical Services said “I expect a lot from the new bus contract which will come into force in January 2013. I want to see innovation in the way we deliver a modern public bus service for the public of Jersey and I believe CT Plus can provide this. I understand we can’t expect everything to happen at once but change does need to happen to move the service into a commercially viable and sustainable asset for the local community. I am really looking forward to what this final tender stage will bring.”