Questions over cost as ‘a few changes’ proposed in new bus contracts

“MINOR adjustments, great expense” is one councillor’s view of the SIC’s plan for the next round of bus contracts.

Lerwick North and Bressay councillor Stephen Leask was commenting after receiving an update on the process behind the next school and public bus network contracts, which are due to come into force in August.

Development director Neil Grant confirmed the routes which have gone out to tender are essentially the status quo with a “few changes”.

It is expected that the bill to have consultants work on the development of a full business case will reach £230,000.

A recent report to transport partnership ZetTrans said this reflects the “complexity and strategic importance” of the project in informing future service delivery and investment decisions.

Speaking at a meeting of the full council on Wednesday, Grant said tender prices should come back “pretty much anytime now”.

He said at one point there were around 15 options on the table, including ones with less service.

Grant said consultants Stantec were involved in the process of analysing routes, which also included public engagement.

The initial timeline of the process was previously put back, with the “volume of responses” to an engagement exercise cited as a reason.

This resulted in current bus contracts being extended by a year to allow work to continue on a business case.

The initial contract award for the consultancy work was £137,000, with a further £75,000 awarded in 2024/25 to support “additional scope and deliverables”.

Speaking at Wednesday’s meeting, Leask said he felt the process has been done at “great expense” to the council.

Grant said tender prices will inform whether it is “affordable” to the council, with elected members set to deliberate on a full business case next year.

He said the process has resulted in an “informed decision” to go out to tender with the same bus network with a few adjustments.

Earlier this year a new procurement framework for public, school, additional support needs and adult social care transport was published by Shetland Islands Council and ZetTrans.

If they are awarded a place on the framework, local operators who provide bus and taxi services will then be able to bid for various transport contracts.

The first contracts to be let using the framework will be public bus and school transport contracts, which will be in place from August.

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