North Yorkshire Council has launched a new Passenger Transport Open Framework covering home-to-school transport and other passenger transport requirements.
The framework has an estimated value of £837.5 million excluding VAT / £1.005 billion including VAT and can operate for eight years. It has been deliberately structured to create routes for different transport operators according to vehicle capacity.
The initial tender closes on 28 September 2026. If your transport business is considering applying, contact Thornton & Lowe for practical tender and framework support.
Passenger transport lots
Lot 1 – Up to 8 passenger seats, including accessible vehicles
Estimated value: £452.25 million excluding VAT.
This lot covers private-hire and hackney-carriage vehicles, including accessible provision.
Lot 2 – 9 to 16 passenger seats, including accessible vehicles
Estimated value: £117.25 million excluding VAT.
Suppliers require the appropriate PSV operating arrangements, with accessibility requirements applying where relevant.
Lot 3 – 17+ passenger seats
Estimated value: £268 million excluding VAT.
This covers larger passenger vehicles, with PSVAR requirements applying where specified.
Our transport tender guide provides broader guidance on preparing competitive responses for council transport contracts.
Open supplier model
There is no maximum number of framework suppliers. All suppliers meeting the required threshold can be awarded a place.
The framework will also reopen at future Entry Points, currently anticipated in:
- August 2026;
- April 2028, potentially extending to April 2029; and
- April 2032.
That makes the framework more accessible than a traditional closed arrangement where unsuccessful suppliers may have to wait several years for another opportunity.
Pricing schedule
Framework admission is based on pass/fail criteria, while call-off contracts will use 100% price evaluation.
Bidders can submit a Pricing Schedule to become eligible for direct awards. Failing to provide one does not prevent appointment to the framework, but it does prevent consideration for call-offs awarded through the direct-award mechanism.
That is an important commercial decision. Suppliers need to consider framework access and their route to actual contract awards separately.
Quick facts
- Buyer: North Yorkshire Council
- Reference: 120-NYC-EN
- Estimated value: £837.5m excluding VAT / £1.005bn including VAT
- Term: Eight years
- Lots: Three
- Maximum suppliers: Unlimited
- Supplier fee: 0%
- Framework assessment: Pass/fail
- Call-off evaluation: 100% price
- Enquiry deadline: 17 September 2026
- Tender deadline: 28 September 2026 at 12:00pm
- View the official Find a Tender notice
Get your framework application right
The unlimited supplier structure is attractive, but securing a place is only the first step.
Operators should check licence requirements carefully, select only the relevant vehicle lots and decide whether their pricing model supports participation in direct awards as well as competitive call-offs.
Thornton & Lowe can support transport suppliers with tender responses, evidence development and independent review. Contact us to discuss the North Yorkshire framework.
