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Passenger Transport Framework
AI Summary
The London Borough of Hackney is procuring a four‑year open framework for passenger transport services dedicated to children with special educational needs and disabilities, looked‑after children and vulnerable adults. The framework will establish contractual arrangements that enable compliant transport services to take effect as the current Disabled Person Services (DPS) contract expires, thereby ensuring a seamless and sustained high‑quality provision for eligible service users in the borough.
The framework is divided into two distinct lots. Lot 1 requires providers to deliver scheduled home‑to‑school journeys for SEND children and young people, using minibuses, people‑carrier vehicles, or taxis, with the option of a passenger assistant as needed. Lot 2 covers ad‑hoc journeys for looked‑after children and vulnerable adults, including some repeat bookings, also with or without a passenger assistant where appropriate. Key supplier criteria include established expertise in passenger transport, comprehensive safeguarding training for all drivers and assistants, punctuality, and professional care standards. In addition, all service providers must operate vehicles that satisfy Transport for London taxi licensing and emissions regulations and must actively transition their fleets toward lower‑emission alternatives, aligning with the council’s drive for increased battery‑powered vehicle use.
The procurement is grounded in the borough’s statutory obligations under Section 508 B of the Education Act 1996 and the Care Act 2014, which mandate free home‑to‑school transport for eligible children and travel assistance for adults with care needs. Providers must therefore ensure that all eligible individuals receive reliable, safe, and compliant journeys. All vehicles must comply with Transport for London taxi licensing and emissions regulations, and must be progressively upgraded to lower‑emission, battery‑powered alternatives.
Description
The tender will use the Competitive Flexible Procedure is proposed to be divided in two lots:
Lot 1: Home to school transport for SEND children and young people (with and without the passenger assistant requirement) - Minibuses, People Carriers and/ or Taxis.
Lot 2: Ad-hoc journeys (may include some repeat bookings) for Looked After Children and Vulnerable Adults to meet assessed needs (with and without the passenger assistant requirement).
With the intention of creating an Open Framework for the duration of 4 years.
Key requirements for providers include:
- Proven expertise as established providers of passenger Transport.
- Comprehensive and up-to-date safeguarding training for all drivers and passenger assistants to ensure the safety and well-being of vulnerable service users.
- A commitment to maintaining high operational standards, punctual service delivery, and professional care.
All suppliers must strictly comply with Transport for London (TfL) taxi licensing and emissions regulations. Furthermore, suppliers will be required to manage and transition their vehicle fleets progressively to lower-emission alternatives, aiming to mirror the Council's target of maximizing battery-powered vehicle use.
This procurement is essential to ensure that compliant contract arrangements are in place by the time the current DPS ends and ensure the continuation of a high quality and good value transport provision for eligible service users in the borough.
The council has a statutory duty as set out in Section 508B of the Education Act 1996: local authorities in England must provide free home-to-school transport for "eligible children" of compulsory school age (5–16 years). This includes free travel arrangements for children attending their nearest suitable school who live beyond statutory walking distances or cannot walk due to their Special Educational Needs (SEN) or disabilities.
Travel assistance can be provided by the council under the Care Act 2014 in order to enable an Adult with assessed eligible care and support needs, or a carer, to make use of necessary facilities or services in the local community. The council has the discretion to support other groups with travel under Section 508C of the Education Act 1996.
Estimated date of publication of contract notice: 2026-08-03T23:59:59+01:00
Contract location: UKI41
Engagement process description
The London Borough of Hackney’s Children and Families has engaged with organisations across the Passenger Transport Service on Tuesday 14th April , in preparation for the forthcoming Passenger Transport Framework for Children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), Children Looked After and Vulnerable Adults. Key information provided to suppliers:
The current DPS (Dynamic Purchasing System) we have for buying these services ends in March 2027.
We are designing a new Passenger Transport Framework for taxi providers.
SEND Transport as a whole provides home to school travel for 774 children and young people each day, at a cost of c.£7.5m per year.
We have a mixed approach to provide flexibility and cost efficiency:
- 35% In House Buses - £2.9m
- 38% Private Hire Taxis - £3.7m
-25% Personal Travel Budgets - £0.9m
Lot: 1
This contract is subject to renewal: Yes
Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted: En