SC22135 - Electric Fastrack Bus Services

The Council requires a utility services contract for the operation of electric Fastrack bus services, including:

• Fastrack bus depot – The bus operator will be required to provide the primary operational base for Fastrack staff and vehicles, with suitable facilities for both.
• Resource management – The bus operator will be required to manage staff recruitment, staff retention, and customer service levels.
• High quality customer service – The bus operator will be required to meet high customer service standards, as well as driver and vehicle quality standards.
• Dedicated electric bus fleet – The bus operator will procure and manage a new fleet of electric buses dedicated to providing Fastrack services.
• Ticketing services – The bus operator will receive and manage payment for bus tickets on-bus and off-bus.
• Electric Vehicle repairs and maintenance – The bus operator will be responsible for the ongoing repair and maintenance of the electric bus fleet.

The initial scope of the contract will be limited to the operation of the Fastrack Kent Thameside network, with the option of modifying the contract to include the option of Fastrack Dover network (or similar cross-boundary services in/around Kent) at any stage throughout the contract period.

A full specification of the required services will be shared with successful Candidates as part of the Invitation to Tender. KCC will reserve the right to extend the Contract Period on one or more occasion (by three months’ notice in writing served by KCC on the bus operator) provided the aggregate of any such extensions do not extend beyond an additional 5 years.