Home to School Transport- Mainstream (East Lothian Council)

Official notice

Authority: East Lothian Council (Local council)

ServicesAward procedure without prior publication of a call for competition

Sectors: Transport & Passenger Services (60) Delivery: Scotland (UKM73)

Awarded value£1,868,229published contract · exc. VAT

Awarded 23 Feb 2026no call for competition

Awarded to AC Taxis +4 more

What is being bought

Published requirement description

This is a voluntary ex ante transparency notice (VEAT). This notice is to indicate that East Lothian Council intends to extend call-off contracts under the ELC-18-1889 Home to School- Mainstream framework to 31 July 2027.

CPV: Special-purpose road passenger-transport services

The lotProcurement structure

single lot · no lot value published

Lot #1This is a voluntary ex ante transparency notice (VEAT)

This is a voluntary ex ante transparency notice (VEAT). This notice is to indicate that East Lothian Council intends to extend award call-off contracts under the ELC-18-1889 Home to School- Mainstream framework, these shall continue after the expiry to 31 July 2027.

Delivery: Scotland

60130000 Special-purpose road passenger-transport services

Procedure terms & legal framework

From the official record · publisher note attached

Procedure method: Award procedure without prior publication of a call for competition
Legal basis: CELEX · 32014L0024 Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (Directive 2014/24/EU)
Procurement category: Services
Notice status: Awarded without competition
Procurement threshold: Unspecified in notice
Regulatory regime: Standard
Commercial structure: Stand-alone contract (no framework)
Competition type: Direct award (no call for competition)
GPA / WTO covered: Yes (GPA)
Recurring procurement: Unspecified in notice
First published: 24 Feb 2026, 10:15 GMT
Last source update: 24 Feb 2026, 10:15 GMT
Authority reference: ELC-18-1889
FTS notice number: 2026/S 000-016354
Classification (CPV): Special-purpose road passenger-transport services
Delivery area: Scotland (UKM73)
Official registry OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-065abf Find a Tender

Why no open competition: The procurement falls outside the scope of application of the directive
Published justification: East Lothian Council organises school bus services in line with section 51 of The Education (Scotland) Act 1980 and the East Lothian Council Education Transport policy.
The Provision of Home to School Transport for Mainstream Pupils (ELC reference ELC-18-1888) Framework will expire on 31 July 2024. The Council awarded call-off contracts under the said Framework, these shall continue after the expiry to 31 July 2027. The Directive 2014/24/EU (upon which the Public Procurement (Scotland) Regulations 2016 are based) allows for call-off contracts to continue beyond the expiry of a framework.
Furthermore, the Council is currently in the process of working towards the creation of a new provision of home to school transport Framework (DPS). In doing so, the Council deems it necessary to conduct a strategic consultation to assess the Education Transport policy, aligning it with the council’s climate change strategy and commitments to achieve net zero. Consideration will also be given to the local development plan and the subsequent growth agenda within East Lothian.

Publisher note: It is anticipated that a DPS Transport Framework will be established in 2026. This framework will cover not only transport provision for HTS but also services for ASN and adult social care requirements. Although the DPS is expected to be in place during 2026, any procurement requirement for HTS specifically will be tendered in 2027. Further information on the upcoming DPS will be released throughout 2026. NOTE: To register your interest in this notice and obtain any additional information please visit the Public Contracts Scotland Web Site at https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/Search/Search_Switch.aspx?ID=824484. (SC Ref:824484)

Commercial outcome & contract awards

Published awards, contracts and bid statistics, not a forecast

Awards 1

Awarded value £1,868,2291 contract exc. VAT

Contracts signed 1latest 23 Feb 2026

Awarded to	Value	Date	Status
AC TaxisSME, Alba TaxisSME, Eve Coaches LtdSME, Prentice Coaches LtdSME, Torrrance TaxisSMEjoint award	£1,868,229 †	—	Awarded

Contracts

Contract 016354-2026-ELC-18-1889-1 · AC TaxisSME, Alba TaxisSME, Eve Coaches LtdSME, Prentice Coaches LtdSME, Torrrance TaxisSME
Signed
23 Feb 2026
Value
£1,868,229
Status
active

Contracting authority & participating public bodies

East Lothian Council

Contracting authorityLocal CouncilNational or federal agency/officeGeneral public services John Muir House, Haddington, East Lothian, Scotland, EH41 3HAContact email, phone

Dispute resolution & review bodies

Edinburgh Sheriff CourtReview body Edinburgh

Bidders & participating suppliers

5 commercial parties on the notice

AC TaxisAwarded supplier 44, Redwing brae, Ladywell, Scotland, Eh546UH
Alba TaxisAwarded supplier Unit 5 , Whin Park Industrial Estate, Cockenzie, Scotland, EH32 9SF
Eve Coaches LtdAwarded supplier Spott Road, Dunbar, UK, EH42 1RS
Prentice Coaches LtdAwarded supplier Station Garage, Hospital Road, Haddington, Scotland, EH41 3BH
Torrrance TaxisAwarded supplier 26 Warrender Cresent, Dunbar, Scotland, EH42 1LU

Official documents & specifications

Official links; attachments are not copied

No document links were published on the notice.