Cupar Zero Emission Bus Service

Bus and coach emissions make up 5% of Scottish road transport emissions. The Government has a net zero target of 2045 and it is likely the sale of new diesel buses will be phased out sometime between 2030 and 2035.

Fife Council declared a Climate Emergency in 2019 and recently published the Climate Fife 2020-2030 Strategy (www.fife.gov.uk/__data/assets/pdf_fi… ↗) stating, “Fife Council wants to lead by example in our response to the climate emergency and use our procurement, assets and staff to help deliver a zero carbon and resilient Fife.” Under the Sustainable Transport theme in the Strategy, two key projects are ST07 (Improve the fuel and carbon efficiency of local private sector and public transport fleets) and ST08 (Tackle problematic air quality).

Having an Air Quality Management Area in Cupar, we wish to explore options with the marketplace to make the Cupar Town Service (Service 68/68A/68B) a zero emission bus route, to contribute towards the themes of the Strategy. Discussions are likely to focus on vehicles (and ownership); fuelling/charging infrastructure (and ownership); optimum contract length; contract pricing; grant funding; vehicle use outwith hours; energy supply arrangements.

The procurement process is likely to involve a Competitive Dialogue procedure, due to the various current unknown elements listed above, hence engagement with interested suppliers will help shape bids throughout the process. We intend to issue a formal Contract Notice to start the procedure, hold discussions throughout 2022 and hopefully award the contract by Christmas 2022. This should still give sufficient time for any set-up requirements for the contract start date of Monday 14 August 2023.

We would welcome contact from suppliers who may have solutions to how we can change the current diesel operation of the Cupar Town Bus Service to a zero-emission route. Responses bind neither the Council nor the interested supplier to any contractual commitment. A response does not ensure a supplier's inclusion in any future tendering process nor does it place any supplier in an advantageous position with regard to any future procurement. Failure to respond to this Prior Information Notice (PIN) does not prohibit a future bid to the Contract Notice. As a Competitive Dialogue procedure is envisaged, interested suppliers do not have to be existing members of our Bus & Coach Dynamic Purchasing System.

The current (diesel) service specification is: Low floor; wheelchair accessible; minimum 17 seats; Monday-Saturday, hourly from approximately 0900 to 1730 and operates loops of the town via the Town Centre. View the service here: www.cartogold.co.uk/fife/map.html ↗ > click Routes and Times > scroll and select Services 68, 68A and 68B. Total daily mileage is 100 miles. This is given for information only and could be subject to change as part of discussions, for we are keen to maximise vehicle use and would be open to looking at how it might be incorporated into also delivering Sunday / evening services.

As well as supporting the Government and Council's net zero targets, this potential procurement also supports the Council's aim (which reflects the Sustainable Procurement Duty), to improve the relevant social, environmental and economic wellbeing of our area, reducing inequality, facilitating the involvement of SME's, third sector bodies and supported businesses.