Schools Bus Franchises Tranche 3

In accordance with the provisions of the Transport Act 2000 (as amended by the Bus Services Act 2017) and having followed the legislative procedure set out within the same, the Mayor of Greater Manchester decided on 25th March 2021 to introduce a bus franchising scheme for the entire Greater Manchester Combined Authority ('GMCA') area.

As the executive body with responsibility for various transport functions on behalf of the GMCA, TfGM is responsible for various functions associated with the implementation and operation of the franchising scheme, including but not limited to undertaking and managing the procurement process for the school service franchises. The GMCA will be the contracting entity and the bus franchising scheme will be overseen and managed by Transport for Greater Manchester ('TfGM'), including the procurement of Schools Bus Franchises services, on behalf of the GMCA. The procurement of Schools Bus Franchises packages will take place in three tranches which will align with the three franchises in which Large and Small franchises are being procured. These franchises will not all be introduced simultaneously, due to various transitional and implementation issues that will need to be addressed. The School Bus Franchises will be tendered in three Franchise Tranches determined by geographical area, as follows:

• (i)The first Schools Franchise Tranche (broadly covering Bolton, Salford and Wigan), contained 23 schools only franchises;
• (ii)The second Schools Franchise Tranche (broadly covering Bury, Rochdale, North Manchester and Oldham) contained 9 schools only franchises; and

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• (iii)The third Schools Franchise Tranche (broadly covering Tameside, Stockport, South Manchester and Trafford) contains 9 schools only franchises.

TfGM and GMCA require school services to commence on the Franchise Scheme Commencement Date (as defined in the Schools Bus Franchise Agreement) which is before the point at which the services under this contract can be operated pursuant to a local services contract pursuant to s.123K(4) of the Transport Act 2000. Due to this, the successful Tenderer for each Lot will contract with TfGM under TfGM’s delegated powers under section 9A of the Transport Act 1968 (and the Manchester City Council Report for Resolution following the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (Functions and Amendments) Order 2019 No. 793) and sections 89-92 of the Transport Act 1985 as a secured service contract for the period from the date that the Schools Bus Franchise Agreement is entered into following contract award until the end of the period which is 9 months after the contract is entered into. GMCA intends to issue service permits for such school services to the extent required to operate such school services within the area of the Franchising Scheme prior to the Franchise Scheme Commencement Date.