Big Lemon sees contracts go to diesel buses

The Big Lemon in Brighton is reported to have instructed solicitors over the council’s decision to end its contract and award it to Compass Travel instead.

Chief executive Tom Druitt says that Brighton & Hove Council is now refusing to explain how the tenderer was selected, and says that using diesel buses is at odds with its carbon net zero goal for 2030. According to The Argus, the news website for Brighton, the council claimed it had carried out a full and fair procurement process and Compass would be deploying new buses fitted with technology “designed to save fuel and significantly reduce emissions.” This technology is, in fact, the legal standard of Euro VI emissions.

City councillor Trevor Muten, who is the cabinet member for transport, said: “We understand that bidders who did not succeed in the procurement process will be disappointed, but the council is obliged to award the contract to the most economically advantageous tender.”

The council had to step in to help The Big Lemon last year after cancellations and late running services left residents feeling the company had failed them. These were due to problems with one of the company’s suppliers, which led to a shortage of vehicles. A retendering process for the routes was also launched at the same time.

The contract for The Big Lemon, which runs a fleet largely made up of electric buses, will end in March.