TFGM schools contracts

[landgateblue]

Hi, is there anywhere I can look to find out who will be operating schools services in Wigan from September? I've looked on the TfGM website but can't find anything.

Many Thanks, Dirk!

 

[markymark2000]

TFGM don't tend to sort school services out until last minute. September 2022s tenders were awarded with less than 2 months notice.

 

[Contains Nuts]

TfGM use a system called ‘resource tendering’ for schools where operators provide prices for their availability in each area of Manchester, then once anticipated demand for each route is confirmed the contracts are awarded. Unlike ‘normal’ tenders, operators don’t get to see the routes and timetables in advance.

While school resource contracts can be awarded for multiple years it’s not unusual for TfGM to change the services provided within a contract from year to year.

Both ‘normal’ and ‘yellow bus’ tenders (yellow buses are provided by TfGM) are managed in the same way.

With these tenders TfGM retain any revenue taken on the buses so that operators are not financially affected by any route changes.

Occasionally a local bus tender will have a school movement ‘built in’ where the bus does a local route during the middle of the day and a school journey at peak times. These are usually the only examples of operators knowing the route and timetable at the time of tendering as they are part of the local bus contract.

 

[M60lad]

If you want information on School Services from September your best looking at TfGM's site either just before or just after the Schools finish for their Summer holidays as that's when they usually publish them.

 

[Leedsbusman]

TfGM use a system called ‘resource tendering’ for schools where operators provide prices for their availability in each area of Manchester, then once anticipated demand for each route is confirmed the contracts are awarded. Unlike ‘normal’ tenders, operators don’t get to see the routes and timetables in advance.

While school resource contracts can be awarded for multiple years it’s not unusual for TfGM to change the services provided within a contract from year to year.

Both ‘normal’ and ‘yellow bus’ tenders (yellow buses are provided by TfGM) are managed in the same way.

With these tenders TfGM retain any revenue taken on the buses so that operators are not financially affected by any route changes.

Occasionally a local bus tender will have a school movement ‘built in’ where the bus does a local route during the middle of the day and a school journey at peak times. These are usually the only examples of operators knowing the route and timetable at the time of tendering as they are part of the local bus contract.

While correct now, this won’t apply in Wigan from 23rd Sept as all school buses are franchised in a series of packages usually based on whole school groups. There are interim arrangements planned for the first three weeks of term when 1985 act rules remain. I don’t believe the awards for the school franchises have been announced yet.

 

[158756]

While correct now, this won’t apply in Wigan from 23rd Sept as all school buses are franchised in a series of packages usually based on whole school groups. There are interim arrangements planned for the first three weeks of term when 1985 act rules remain. I don’t believe the awards for the school franchises have been announced yet.

I'm a bit confused by these school franchises. The smaller operators have been wiped out on public services, so is the expectation that they will all keep going with the same staffing, vehicles, depot etc for the school services once the daytime and evening tenders are gone?

 

[Leedsbusman]

I'm a bit confused by these school franchises. The smaller operators have been wiped out on public services, so is the expectation that they will all keep going with the same staffing, vehicles, depot etc for the school services once the daytime and evening tenders are gone?

That’s up to them. There are plenty of school only operators out there.

 

[Drew2]

There was an article on the Bolton News site that Stagecoach had won 51 vehicles worth of school contracts in the area.

EDIT: would anyone be kind enough to quote / link the page to ensure this meets post the forum rules. Thank you

 

[Leedsbusman]

There was an article on the Bolton News site that Stagecoach had won 51 vehicles worth of school contracts in the area.

EDIT: would anyone be kind enough to quote / link the page to ensure this meets post the forum rules. Thank you

School bus contract awarded to Bolton as first phase of franchising starts

Stagecoach Manchester have been selected to operate a number of school contracts including Bolton, as part of the first phase of franchising.

www.theboltonnews.co.uk

Also the GMCA decision report suggest batches have been applied to two bidders but no word yet on who the other is

Democracy-Template

Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) - working together to improve the lives of people in Greater Manchester - Bolton, Bury, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford, Wigan

democracy.greatermanchester-ca.gov.uk

 

[GusB]

If anyone wishes to avoid the Bolton News site, there's another article here:

Stagecoach and Vision win Bee Network school contracts - Bus & Coach Buyer

Stagecoach and Vision have been awarded contracts to provide school services in Wigan, Bolton and parts of Salford and Bury. They have been awarded as part of the latest round of contracts for the Bee Network, the name given to the upcoming franchised bus network in Greater Manchester...

www.busandcoachbuyer.com

Stagecoach and Vision have been awarded contracts to provide school services in Wigan, Bolton and parts of Salford and Bury.

They have been awarded as part of the latest round of contracts for the Bee Network, the name given to the upcoming franchised bus network in Greater Manchester. Franchising starts in the region from September.

Stagecoach has been awarded 17 contracts and Vision six, covering a total of 31 schools. There will be no changes to the schools served or the numbers of buses used under the new contracts.

According to Transport for Greater Manchester, the move to a franchised network, including school bus services, means Greater Manchester can:

Better plan and integrate services with the wider Bee Network
Improve the performance of services with a consistent monitoring regime, fleet specifications and onboard equipment
Improve customer services through the Bee Network Customer Contact Centre
Provide access to integrated ticketing products.

 

[M803UYA]

If anyone wishes to avoid the Bolton News site, there's another article here:

Stagecoach and Vision win Bee Network school contracts - Bus & Coach Buyer

Stagecoach and Vision have been awarded contracts to provide school services in Wigan, Bolton and parts of Salford and Bury. They have been awarded as part of the latest round of contracts for the Bee Network, the name given to the upcoming franchised bus network in Greater Manchester...

www.busandcoachbuyer.com

It's interesting to observe Vision have won schools work but not normal local bus work under the new arrangements.

 

[Mwanesh]

No wonder Stagecoach were not giving up Wigan depot.