Oxfordshire County Council Bus Service Tender Results

Since deregulation of bus services in October 1986, the County Council has been required by law (the Transport Act 1985) to invite tenders for provision of financially-supported local bus services and to make available for public inspection the results of tenders received. (The Council is allowed to award certain low-cost (‘de minimis’) or short-term contracts without competitive tender and to award negotiated contracts if no acceptable tenders are received).

This publication contains details of tender awards made in March 2013. A separate list of ‘de minimis’ and negotiated contract awards made at the same time are included in an addendum.

Previous editions of this publication can be viewed on the County Council website. Historic editions are also available for inspection between 10.00 a.m. & 4.00 p.m. Monday to Friday at Speedwell House, Speedwell Street, Oxford, OX1 1NE. Visitors should go to the main reception and ask for the Bus Services Team. Previous editions can also be e-mailed on request.

For any general enquiries about the above, please ring Allan Field, Bus Services Manager (01865 815826) or Mark Shepley, Business Support Officer (01865 810404).

June 2013

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ISSUE NO 72 – June 2013

OXFORDSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL – TENDERS FOR LOCAL BUS SERVICES

PART 1 – CONTRACTS AWARDED The County Council has accepted the following tenders which were considered by the Cabinet Member (Transport) Decisions meeting on 21st March 2013, for provision of subsidised local bus services in Oxfordshire. The Council accepted the lowest tender for each service unless otherwise stated, as representing the most effective and economic application of funds at its disposal. The sums shown are the amounts of subsidy payable, in accordance with tender prices, for the first year of each contract.

Contract Description of Successful tender amount (£/year) & No. of Highest Contract no. service operator name tenders tender period received (£/year) CHERWELL DC PT/C2A Service B5: town centre to £344,376* (Midland Red South Ltd, 2 £96,591 02.06.2013 to Bretch Hill. Daily, evening service at a trading as ‘Stagecoach in 01.06.2019 30 minute frequency. Oxfordshire’) *This is a joint tender price with contracts C14A, C19A & C20A) PT/C14A Service B7: Banbury town centre to £344,376* (Midland Red South Ltd, 4 £149,302 02.06.2013 to Grimsbury and Edmunds Road. trading as ‘Stagecoach in 01.06.2019 Monday to Saturday, broadly hourly Oxfordshire’) frequency *This is a joint tender price with contracts C2A, C19A & C20A) PT/C19A Service B1 & B2: Banbury town centre £344,376* (Midland Red South Ltd, 4 £286,554 02.06.2013 to to Easington and Banbury town centre trading as ‘Stagecoach in 01.06.2019 to Cherwell Heights and . Oxfordshire’) Monday to Saturday, 30 minute *This is a joint tender price with frequency. contracts C2A, C14A & C20A)

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Contract Description of Successful tender amount (£/year) & No. of Highest Contract no. service operator name tenders tender period received (£/year) PT/C20A Service B10: Banbury town centre to £344,376* (Midland Red South Ltd, 4 £129,303 02.06.2013 to Hanwell Fields. Monday to Saturday trading as ‘Stagecoach in 01.06.2019 hourly frequency. Oxfordshire’) *This is a joint tender price with contracts C2A, C14A & C19A) PT/C31A Service 90: Heyfords to Banbury via £6,000 (Oxfordshire County Council, 2 £8,550 02.06.2013 to the Barfords. Thursday, one return Integrated Transport Unit) 01.06.2019 journey. PT/C34A Service 504: to Banbury via £8,500 (Heyfordian Travel Ltd ) 2 £11,801 02.06.2013 to Horley. Thursday only, one return 30.05.2015 journey. PT/C40B Services 22, 23 & 24: town £414,312* (Thames Travel 7 £289,923 02.06.2013 to services. Monday to Saturday, hourly (Wallingford) Ltd) 01.06.2019 frequency (30 min for service 24). * This is a joint tender price with contracts C45C & C49B. PT/C42B Services 37 & 81: to Bicester £6,000 (Heyfordian Travel Ltd ) 5 £9,360 02.06.2013 to via Newton Purcell & to 01.06.2019 Bicester via Bucknell. Tuesday only, 2 return journeys PT/C45C Service 94: Bicester / Otmoor villages £414,312* (Thames Travel 7 £90,000 02.06.2013 to to Oxford. Monday to Saturday, (Wallingford) Ltd) 01.06.2019 revised off peak journeys. * This is a joint tender price with contracts C40B & C49B.

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Contract Description of Successful tender amount (£/year) & No. of Highest Contract no. service operator name tenders tender period received (£/year) PT/C49B Services 25 & 25A: Bicester to £414,312* (Thames Travel 6 £434,045 02.06.2013 to Tesco via (25) (Wallingford) Ltd) 01.06.2019 and Bicester to Oxford via the * This is a joint tender price with Heyfords & (25A). Monday contracts C40B & C45C. to Saturday, hourly frequency. WEST OXFORDSHIRE DC PT/W4 Services 18 & 19: Clanfield / Bampton £354,640 (Thames Transit Ltd 1 n/a 02.06.2013 to to Oxford via Standlake (18) and trading as ‘Stagecoach in 31.05.2014 Eynsham & Carterton to Witney via Oxfordshire’) Bampton (19). Monday to Saturday, hourly frequency (current service). PT/W10 Service 64: Carterton to Swindon via £88,512 (Thames Transit Ltd trading 2 £116,900 02.06.2013 to Filkins & Lechlade. Monday to as ‘Stagecoach in Oxfordshire’) 31.05.2014 Saturday, 2 hourly frequency (current service). PT/W21 Service X15: Witney to Abingdon via £102,877 (Thames Transit Ltd 2 £149,216 02.06.2013 to Standlake & Southmoor. Monday to trading as ‘Stagecoach in 31.05.2014 Saturday, 2 hourly frequency (current Oxfordshire’) service). PT/W39 Service T1: Demand responsive taxi £124,562* (GoRide Community 2 £78,500 02.06.2013 to bus service from Leafield and Interest Company) 31.05.2014 Finstock to Charlbury. Monday to * This is a joint tender price with Friday (current service). contracts W40 & W52.

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Contract Description of Successful tender amount (£/year) & No. of Highest Contract no. service operator name tenders tender period received (£/year) PT/W40 Service C1: Charlbury Taxibus from £124,562* (GoRide Community 2 £107,400 02.06.2013 to the Wychwoods, Leafield and Interest Company) 31.05.2014 Finstock. Monday to Friday (current * This is a joint tender price with service). contracts W39 & W52. PT/W46 Service X9: Chipping Norton to Witney £162,113* (Thames Transit Ltd 3 £103,950 02.06.2013 to via Charlbury. Friday and Saturday trading as ‘Stagecoach in 31.05.2014 evenings, 2 return journeys (current Oxfordshire’) service). *This is a joint tender price with contract W56A PT/W48 Service 243: Combe to Witney via £20,800 (Pulham & Sons (Coaches) 1 n/a 02.06.2013 to A Stonesfield & Leafield. Tues / Fri only, Ltd) 31.05.2014 3 return journeys (current service). PT/W50 Service X8: Chipping Norton to £99,424 (Pulham & Sons (Coaches) 4 £159,109 02.06.2013 to Kingham Station via Churchill. Monday Ltd) 31.05.2014 to Saturday, hourly frequency (current service). PT/W52 Service X8A: Kingham Station to the £124,562* (GoRide Community 4 £193,404 02.06.2013 to Wychwoods via Idbury and Fifield. Interest Company) 31.05.2014 Monday to Saturday, off peak hourly * This is a joint tender price with frequency (current service). contracts W39 & W40.

PT/W56 Service X9: Chipping Norton to Witney £162,113* (Thames Transit Ltd 3 £371,181 02.06.2013 to A via Charlbury. Monday to Saturday, trading as ‘Stagecoach in 31.05.2014 hourly frequency (current service). Oxfordshire’) *This is a joint tender price with contract W46

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Contract Description of Successful tender amount (£/year) & No. of Highest Contract no. service operator name tenders tender period received (£/year) SOUTH OXFORDSHIRE DC PT/S79A Service 98: Great Western Park to £96,959 (Thames Travel 3 £128,515 02.06.2013 to & B Didcot. Monday to Saturday, 30 (Wallingford) Ltd) (option A) 31.05.2014 minute frequency (current service). Price increases to £108,529 for £141,000 Note that option B is for a 20 minute Option B when the 200th dwelling is (Option B) frequency which forms part of this occupied. contract when the 200th dwelling is occupied on Great Western Park. VALE OF WHITE HORSE DC PT/V61 Service 63: Longworth to Oxford via £52,798 (Red Rose Travel Ltd) 4 £89,396 02.06.2013 to Southmoor & Appleton. Monday to 30.05.2015 Saturday, 2 -3 hour frequency (current service). PT/V68 Service X47: Ardington to Swindon via £12,998 (Thames Travel 4 £21,500 02.06.2013 to Wantage, Sparsholt & Uffington. (Wallingford) Ltd) 30.05.2015 Saturday only. 3 return journeys (current service). PT/V79B Services 67, 67A & 67B: Wantage to £97,827 (Thames Travel 3 £116,950 02.06.2013 to Faringdon via Stanford in the Vale and (Wallingford) Ltd) 30.05.2015 Letcombe Regis / East Challow. (Service 67 to serve Kingston Lisle and Uffington). Monday to Saturday, broadly 2 hourly frequency.

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PART 2 – CONTRACTS NOT AWARDED

The County Council did not accept any tender for any of the contracts (or contract variants) listed below, for the reasons stated.

Contract Description of No. of Lowest Highest Reason why contract was not no. service tenders tender tender awarded received (£/year) (£/year) CHERWELL DC PT/C2B Service B5: Banbury town centre to Bretch Hill. 2 £22,885 £49,404 The current higher level of service Thurs/Fri/Sat only, evening service at a 30 (daily) continues with the award of minute frequency.service. contract PT/C2A.

PT/C31B Service 90: Proposed service from Heyfords to 1 £44,000 n/a The proposed service for Banbury via the Barfords, Wigginton and South Wiggington and Newington. Monday to Friday, one return is covered by the award of (de journey. minimis) contract PT/C12. The proposal to extend the service from the Heyfords to Banbury to a 5 day week operation was rejected on the grounds of excessive cost. PT/C31C Service 90: Proposed service from Heyfords to 1 £52,800 n/a The proposed service for Banbury via the Barfords, Wigginton and South Wiggington and South Newington Newington. Monday to Saturday, one return is covered by the award of (de journey. minimis) contract PT/C12. The proposal to extend the service from the Heyfords to Banbury to a 6 day week operation was rejected on the grounds of excessive cost.

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Contract Description of No. of Lowest Highest Reason why contract was not no. service tenders tender tender awarded received (£/year) (£/year) PT/C31D Service 90: Proposed service from the Heyfords 1 £8,600 n/a The proposed service for to Banbury via the Barfords & Wigginton and Wiggington and South Newington South Newington to Banbury (two routes). is covered by the award of (de Monday to Friday, one return journey minimis) contract PT/C12. The proposal to extend the service from the Heyfords to Banbury to a 5 day week operation was rejected. PT/C31E Service 90: Proposed service from Heyfords to 1 £33,000 n/a The proposed service for Banbury via the Barfords & Wigginton and South Wiggington and South Newington Newington to Banbury (two routes). Monday to is covered by the award of (de Saturday, one return journey. minimis) contract PT/C12. The proposal to extend the service from the Heyfords to Banbury to a 6 day week operation was rejected on the grounds of excessive cost. PT/C32A Service 90A: Proposed service from Lower 0 n/a n/a No tenders were received. to Banbury via Wigginton and South Newington. Thursday only, one return journey. PT/C32B Service 90A: Proposed service from Lower 0 n/a n/a No tenders were received. Tadmarton to Banbury via Wigginton and South Newington. Monday to Friday, one return journey. PT/C32C Service 90A: Proposed service from Lower 0 n/a n/a No tenders were received. Tadmarton to Banbury via Wigginton and South Newington. Monday to Saturday, one return journey.

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Contract Description of No. of Lowest Highest Reason why contract was not no. service tenders tender tender awarded received (£/year) (£/year)

PT/C32D Service 90A: Proposed service from Lower 1 £62,540 n/a This option was designed to meet a Tadmarton to Banbury via Wigginton and South request for a new service, but Newington. Monday to Friday, 2 inbound and 2 award was not justified based on outbound journeys including peak times. excessive cost. PT/C32E Service 90A: Proposed service from Lower 1 £64,630 n/a This option was designed to meet a Tadmarton to Banbury via Wigginton and South request for a new service, but Newington. Monday to Saturday, 2 inbound and award was not justified based on 2 outbound journeys including peak times. excessive cost. PT/C33A Service 90B: Proposed service from Upper 2 £8,150 £17,951 Award of this additional Saturday Heyford to Banbury via Clifton and . service was not justified as Saturday only, one return journey. alternative journey options on Saturday could be provided for most communities at lower cost. PT/C40A Services 22 & 23: Bicester town services. 6 £145,312 £235,685 Additional new service for Monday to Saturday, current (broadly hourly) Road could be provided via the frequency. award of contract PT/C40B at minimal additional cost. PT/C42A Services 37 & 81: Finmere to Bicester via 5 £12,000 £16,848 The award of contract PT/C42B Newton Purcell & Souldern to Bicester via option gives reduction in operating Bucknell. Tues / Weds only, 2 return journeys. days at lower cost, both of which are justified by levels of patronage. PT/C42C Services 37 & 81: Finmere to Bicester via 6 £14,040 £31,200 The award of contract PT/C42B Newton Purcell & Souldern to Bicester via option gives reduction in operating Bucknell. Mon / Tues (service 81) 2 return days at lower cost, both of which journeys. Weds / Thurs (service 37) 1 return jny. are justified by levels of patronage.

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Contract Description of No. of Lowest Highest Reason why contract was not no. service tenders tender tender awarded received (£/year) (£/year) PT/C42D Services 37 & 81: Finmere to Bicester via 5 £14,040 £23,400 The award of contract PT/C42B Newton Purcell & Souldern to Bicester via option gives reduction in operating Bucknell. Mon / Tues (service 81) 2 return days at lower cost, both of which journeys. Thursday only (service 37) one return are justified by levels of patronage. journey. PT/C43A Service 94: Proposed service from Charlton on 4 £35,414 £72,880 Existing level of service broadly Otmoor to Bicester via Merton & . maintained to Bicester and Oxford Monday to Saturday, one return journey. at significantly lower cost via award of contract PT/C45C in conjunction with commercialised morning, late afternoon and evening peak journeys. PT/C43B Service 94: Proposed service from Charlton on 4 £29,484 £67,202 Existing level of service broadly Otmoor to Bicester via Merton & Ambrosden. maintained to Bicester and Oxford Monday to Friday, one return journey. at significantly lower cost via award of contract PT/C45C in conjunction with commercialised morning, late afternoon and evening peak journeys. PT/C43C Service 94: Proposed service from Charlton on 4 £12,000 £51,653 Existing level of service broadly Otmoor to Bicester via Merton & Ambrosden. maintained to Bicester and Oxford Weds and Fri only, one return journey. via award of contract PT/C45C in conjunction with commercialised morning, late afternoon and evening peak journeys.

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Contract Description of No. of Lowest Highest Reason why contract was not no. service tenders tender tender awarded received (£/year) (£/year) PT/C45A Service 94: Bicester / Otmoor villages to Oxford. 3 £48,700 £82,450 Existing level of service broadly Monday to Saturday, current off peak journeys. maintained to Bicester and Oxford at significantly lower cost via award of contract PT/C45C in conjunction with commercialised morning, late afternoon and evening peak journeys.

PT/C45B Service 94: Bicester / Otmoor villages to Oxford. 3 £24,500 £58,500 Existing level of service broadly Weds / Fri / Sat, current off peak journeys. maintained to Bicester and Oxford at significantly lower cost via award of contract PT/C45C in conjunction with commercialised morning, late afternoon and evening peak journeys.

PT/C45D Service 94: Bicester / Otmoor villages to Oxford. 4 £23,215 £45,000 Existing level of service broadly Weds / Fri / Sat, revised off peak journeys. maintained to Bicester and Oxford at significantly lower cost via award of contract PT/C45C in conjunction with commercialised morning, late afternoon and evening peak journeys.

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Contract Description of No. of Lowest Highest Reason why contract was not no. service tenders tender tender awarded received (£/year) (£/year) PT/C45E Service 94: Blackthorn to Oxford via Charlton on 4 £34,889 £40,000 Existing level of service broadly Otmoor. Monday to Saturday, one return maintained to Bicester and Oxford journey. at significantly lower cost via award of contract PT/C45C in conjunction with commercialised morning, late afternoon and evening peak journeys.

PT/C45F Service 94: Blackthorn to Oxford via Charlton on 3 £17,940 £37,000 Existing level of service broadly Otmoor. Weds / Fri / Sat, one return journey. maintained to Bicester and Oxford via award of contract PT/C45C in conjunction with commercialised morning, late afternoon and evening peak journeys.

PT/C46A Service 25: Proposed circular service for 6 £68,996 £120,155 The award of this option would also Bicester, Wendlebury, Weston on the Green and have necessitated the award of an Kirtlington. Monday to Saturday 2 hourly option for contract PT/C50, frequency. generating significant additional cost which could not be justified.

PT/C46B Service 25: Proposed circular service for 5 £68,996 £110,338 The award of this option would also Bicester, Wendlebury, Weston on the Green and have necessitated the award of an Kirtlington. Monday to Saturday 2 hourly option for contract PT/C50, frequency with later start time than in C46A. generating significant additional cost which could not be justified.

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Contract Description of No. of Lowest Highest Reason why contract was not no. service tenders tender tender awarded received (£/year) (£/year) PT/C48A Service 25: Proposed circular service for 4 £72,656 £119,800 The award of this option would also Bicester, Chesterton, Wendlebury, Weston on have necessitated the award of an the Green and Kirtlington. Monday to Saturday, option for contract PT/C50, 2 hourly frequency. generating significant additional cost which could not be justified. PT/C48B Service 25: Proposed circular service for 4 £83,296 £122,075 The award of this option would also Bicester, Chesterton, Wendlebury, Weston on have necessitated the award of an the Green and Kirtlington. Monday to Saturday, option for contract PT/C50, 2 hourly frequency with later evening peak generating significant additional journey. cost which could not be justified. PT/C49A Services 25 & 25A: Bicester to Kidlington Tesco 6 £266,122 £434,045 The award of contract PT/C49B via Wendlebury (25) and Bicester to Oxford via maintains the existing level of the Heyfords & Kirtlington (25A). Monday to service at a lower cost, with new Saturday, hourly frequency (current service). service to Kidlington replacing poorly used Woodstock section. PT/C49C Services 25 & 25A: Bicester to Kidlington Tesco 5 £278,950 £434,045 The award of contract PT/C49B via Wendlebury (25) and Bicester to Oxford via maintains the existing level of the Heyfords & Kirtlington (25A). Monday to service at a lower cost, with new Saturday, hourly frequency with amendment to service to Kidlington replacing Saturday timetable. poorly used Woodstock section. PT/C50A Service 25A: Bicester to Oxford via Bucknell 5 £208,544 £379,000 The award of this option would also Road, Chesterton, the Heyfords & Kirtlington. have necessitated the award of an Monday to Saturday, hourly frequency. option for contract PT/C46 or PT/C48, generating significant additional cost which could not be justified.

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Contract Description of No. of Lowest Highest Reason why contract was not no. service tenders tender tender awarded received (£/year) (£/year) PT/C50B Service 25A: Bicester to Oxford via the Heyfords 4 £208,544 £326,270 The award of this option would also & Kirtlington (25A). Monday to Saturday, hourly have necessitated the award of an frequency. option for contract PT/C46 or PT/C48, generating significant additional cost which could not be justified. WEST OXFORDSHIRE DC PT/W2 Service 18: Clanfield / Bampton to Oxford via 2 £194,001 £213,950 Service is covered by the award of Standlake & Eynsham. Monday to Saturday, contract PT/W4. hourly frequency (current service). PT/W5 Service 19: Carterton to Witney via Bampton. 1 £171,551 n/a Service is covered by the award of Monday to Saturday, hourly frequency (current contract PT/W4. service). PT/W48 Service 243: Combe to Witney via Stonesfield & 1 £19,448 n/a Service is covered (with an B Leafield. Tues / Fri only, 2 return journeys plus additional journey) by the award of one single journey ending in Witney. contract PT/W48A. PT/W56 Service X9: Chipping Norton to Witney via 3 £148,999 £365,518 Service is covered (with full service B Charlbury. Monday to Saturday, hourly to Ramsden) by award of contract frequency (Ramsden not served on all jnys). PT/W56A. VALE OF WHITE HORSE DC PT/V79A Services 67, 67A & 67B: Wantage to Faringdon 3 £91,055 £117,950 Service is covered (with an via Stanford in the Vale and Letcombe Regis / additional afternoon journey on East Challow. (Service 67 to serve Kingston service 67) by the award of Lisle and Uffington). Monday to Saturday, contract PT/V79B. broadly 2 hourly frequency (current service) Huw Jones, Director for Environment & Economy. Speedwell House, Speedwell Street, OXFORD OX1 1NE.

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Addendum to Bus Service Tender Results no 72 Publication June 2013 - details of non tendered contract awards made during Spring 2013

Contract Service number and basic Operator Cost Style of contract no. route description PA Cherwell DC C7 Service S4: Banbury to Oxford via (Thames Transit Ltd trading £70,400 De Minimis Deddington and . as ‘Stagecoach in Contract operates from 02.06.2013 Additional early and late through Oxfordshire’) to 30.05.2015 journeys plus diverted journeys via Middle Barton, Monday to Saturday. Enhancements to commercially operated service. C8 Service S4: Banbury to Oxford via (Thames Transit Ltd trading £8,000 De Minimis Deddington and Steeple Aston. as ‘Stagecoach in Contract operates from 02.06.2013 Additional Sunday services. Oxfordshire’) to 30.05.2015 Enhancements to commercially operated service. C12 Service 488 & 489: Banbury to (Thames Transit Ltd trading £84,850 De Minimis Chipping Norton via (plus as ‘Stagecoach in Contract operates from 02.06.2013 on service 488). Additional Oxfordshire’) to 30.05.2015 journeys, Monday to Saturday. Enhancements to commercially operated service.

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Contract Service number and basic Operator Cost Style of contract no. route description PA C16 Services B1, B2 & B8: Various (Thames Transit Ltd trading £24,000 De Minimis services operating in Banbury. as ‘Stagecoach in Contract operates from 02.06.2013 Sundays, varying frequencies. Oxfordshire’) to 30.05.2015 Enhancements to commercially operated and other contracted services. C30 Service 81: Banbury to Bicester via (Heyfordian Travel Ltd) £14,871 De Minimis Souldern and . Saturdays only, Contract operates from 02.06.2013 3 return journeys. to 02.06.2018 Enhancements to commercially operated service C23 Service S4: Banbury to Oxford via (Thames Transit Ltd trading £3,600 De Minimis Deddington and Steeple Aston. as ‘Stagecoach in Contract operates from 02.06.2013 Diverted journeys via London Oxford Oxfordshire’) to 30.05.2015 Airport, Monday to Saturday. Enhancements to commercially operated service. OXFORD CITY O22 Service 600: Thornhill Park & Ride to (Thames Travel (Wallingford) £63,940 Extended contract Headington hospitals (peak hours Ltd) From 02.06.2013 to 20.09.2013 Mon-Fri only). Extended contract to current contractor. Contract period was dictated by forthcoming Local Sustainable Transport Funded contract for this (and other) services.

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Contract Service number and basic Operator Cost Style of contract no. route description PA O30 Service 700: Water Eaton Park & Ride Thames Transit Ltd trading as £187,805 De Minimis. to Headington hospitals via ‘Stagecoach in Oxfordshire’) Two contracts, operating from Summertown. Short contracts let on a 01.04.2013 to 28.06.2013 and De Minimis basis to current 01.07.2013 to 20.09.2013. contractor. Contract periods were dictated by forthcoming Local Sustainable Transport Funded contract for this (and other) services. Bus Service Tender Results document compiled by: Mark Shepley Business Support Officer (ITU) Highways & Transport Oxfordshire County Council Speedwell House Speedwell Street Oxford OX1 1NE

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