Market Engagement - Supported Bus Services

Description

Cumberland Council is in the process of procuring supported bus services across the Cumberland area. The intention is to tender for these services in early Summer 2026, for the bus services to be ready for launch in November 2026. As part of the commissioning process, the Council would like to invite all interested bus operators to attend a pre-market engagement session. At this session we will share an outline of commissioning plans and talk through the anticipated tender process and timeline. The Council would like all bus operators who might be interested in delivering this contract either now or in the future to join us. Providers should note that procurement plans are subject to formal approval and cannot be guaranteed until a decision to procure has been made. The decision is not scheduled to be reviewed until June 2026. The session will hold on the 26th of May 2026 from 14:00 - 15:00 via Microsoft Teams. There will be an opportunity for bus operators to ask questions about the procurement process. The session will not be discussing the services which will be tendered. The date and time for this is detailed above, should you wish to reserve a space please send an email to sarah.hammond@cumbria.gov.uk detailing the contact email addresses for everyone who would like to join us. A Microsoft Teams invite will be sent out to all on Friday 22nd May 2026. Keywords: transport, public road transport, bus services, road transport, transport services