An investment of over £2.2m has been greenlighted by West Sussex County Council to support the purchase of 52 minibuses that will be used across home-to-school transport routes.
A decision to procure the new feet was approved last Thursday, with the call-in deadline date being confirmed as November 9.
The new vehicles will serve as replacements for the fleet of Ford Transit 17-seat minibuses that currently operate across the estimated 130 home-to-school transport routes in West Sussex.
According to the council, most of these routes support children who attend specialist provisions for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), as well as serving pupils attending mainstream schools, especially those from rural areas who would struggle to access education otherwise.
‘The replacement vehicles will maintain operational capability, minimise driver familiarisation requirements and ensure continuity of service’, the decision report states.
It also highlights that the move will ensure value for money, as well as supporting ‘environmental and social objectives through improved reliability, reduced operating costs and continued access to education for pupils across West Sussex.’
They will be procured through the Government Commercial Agency (GCA) Framework Agreement, with the contract having been awarded to Ford Motor Company.
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