Last updated:

22nd March 2024

School transport supplier contracts

How to bid for a school transport supplier contract

Tendering and procurement

Home to school, Social Care transport and public transport contracts are procured through our electronic procurement portal. We would advise all operators to register with the ProContract Portal using the ProContract supplier registration guide.

We have a Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) for Transport Services, which is open to all interested operators. The DPS is split into the following lots:

Table showing Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) for Transport Services

Lot Number

Lot Description (category of work)

Lot  1

Education (Hackney/Private hire) up to 8 passengers with driver and potentially passenger assistant

Lot 2

Children's social care (Hackney/Private hire) up to 8 passengers with driver and potentially passenger assistant

Lot 3

Adult social care (Hackney/Private hire) up to 8 passengers with driver and potentially passenger assistant

Lot 4

Wheelchair accessible vehicle up to 8 passengers with driver and potentially passenger assistant

Lot 5

Wheelchair accessible vehicle with tail-lift up to 8 passengers with driver and potentially passenger assistant

Lot 6

Education or social care minibus up to 16 passengers with driver and potentially passenger assistant

Lot 7

Wheelchair accessible vehicle up to 16 passengers with driver and potentially passenger assistant

Lot 8

Wheelchair accessible vehicle with tail-lift up to 16 passengers with driver and potentially passenger assistant

Lot 9

Specification for buses and coaches for Education with various capacities of up to 80 seated passengers

Lot 10 

Specification for PSV (Public Service Vehicle) for local bus routes with the capacity for up to 91 passengers

Operators are encouraged to join the Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) if they wish to be included within any new procurement opportunities for Home to School, Social Care transport or public transport contracts. Please see our Guidance for supplier to access the Dynamic Purchasing System (PDF document.)

Licensing requirements

Before operators will be accepted onto the Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS), operators must be appropriately licensed to provide transport services.  Operators must be able to demonstrate they have valid:

  • Operator’s licence (Private Hire, Hackney Carriage, Section 19, Section 22 or PSV)
  • Insurance (Public and Employers liability) documents
  • Vehicle licenses (Private Hire, Hackney Carriage, Home to School, Public Service Vehicle (PSV) licences)
  • LOLER certificates for any vehicles with motorised tail-lifts
     

Before operating on Council transport contracts, operators will be required to provide valid and appropriate copies of the following documents:

  • A copy of all driver licenses associated with the awarded contracts (Private Hire, Hackney Carriage, Home to School, Public Service Vehicle (PSV) licenses)
  • Valid vehicle insurance documents
     

Operators, vehicles, and drivers may wish to licence with Wokingham Borough Council or another licensing authority. For Wokingham Borough Council, a Schools and Community Services driver does not require a knowledge test.

The cost of a Private Hire Driver Licence for a School and Community Services Driver is £325 for a vehicle licence and £295 for a driver licence. See our licensing fees and payments page for more information.

Enhanced DBS Checks, ID Badges and Training

Every driver and passenger assistant must hold an Enhanced Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) certificate, an identification badge, and have attended suitable training for the transport they operate.

  • Enhanced DBS checks – to apply for a drivers DBS check as part of a Hackney Carriage/Private Hire licence, please use the TaxiPlus Portal. The cost of an enhanced DBS is £53 and the DBS update service subscription is £13 per year
  • Enhanced DBS checks for Passenger Assistants must be undertaken separately by the operator and submitted to the Council

  • ID Badges – must be always worn when carrying out services under contract to the Council. All licenced Hackney Carriage / Private Hire drivers should have an ID Badge issued by their licensing authority

  • Passenger Assistants will be issued with a Wokingham Borough Council ID Badge when a relevant DBS, proof of eligibility to work in the UK, and training certificates are submitted to the Council

  • Training – all drivers and passenger assistants must complete suitable Safeguarding training and Disability Awareness training every 3 years

  • Safeguarding training must be delivered by an approved and accredited provider. The Council will accept certificates from Blue Lamp Trust or the Council’s own safeguarding and disability awareness course. Please note for licensing purposes only the Blue Lamp Trust course will be accepted

  • Disability Awareness training must be provided by an approved Passenger Assistant Training Scheme (PATS) provider. Wokingham Borough Council run an approved course which fulfils the disability awareness requirements. Email CTU.Group@wokingham.gov.uk for details. Drivers will need to complete both the Blue Lamp Trust Disability Awareness Training, for licencing purposes, as well as the Council’s course to be able to operate Council contracts

  • All drivers or passenger assistants who will be responsible for transport with a wheelchair user on board must complete a safe transportation of passengers in wheelchairs training (Lots 4,5,7 and 8). There are several providers who offer this training. Please seek confirmation from the Council that the provider's training is acceptable, otherwise the Council does arrange suitable training courses. Email CTU.Group@wokingham.gov.uk for details

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