CT Plus is Guernsey’s preferred provider

CT Plus Guernsey Ltd has been announced as Guernsey’s preferred company to run the island’s scheduled and school bus services. The operator is part of the HCT Group, a social enterprise. The island’s Environment Department and the company have already been engaging in ‘productive discussions’. It is anticipated the contract signing will take place soon, once all clauses and schedules have been agreed. The announcement follows a robust and competitive tender process.

The tender proposal from CT Plus contains a number of changes to the way the service will be delivered. In particular, it includes an enhancement in information provision to bus users through App and web enabled real time bus information. It is planned to bring about improved terms and conditions for staff, including structured training programmes. It also provides for enhanced and targeted marketing of the bus service alongside a regular and continuous outreach programme to engage with and receive feedback from islanders. The tender is based on the States procuring a new fleet of vehicles phased over a number of years. CT Plus will be tasked with refurbishing those parts of the existing fleet that continue to operate, including rebranding to match the new vehicles.

Minister for the Environment Department, Deputy Burford, said, ‘We are, of course, fully aware that bus service operations have not been without their difficulties over recent years and I have personally questioned the quality of the services. However, the Department has conducted a robust and competitive tender process and the tender from CT Plus has scored highly not only on price but also on quality as well. The Department wants to deliver a better bus service for the island and the new form of contract backed by the tender submission from CT Plus enables this to happen. The Board of the Department has met with the CEO and Deputy Chief Executive Officer of CT Plus’ parent company HCT and has received assurances that the company can and will deliver according to the tender submission.’

CEO of HCT Group, Dai Powell, said, ‘The main thrust of the new contract is threefold: First, improvements to the service provision itself. We are still discussing details, but as part of a package there will be a roll out of new vehicles over the life of the contract, with other service elements under contract discussion. Second, the introduction of better online information, including real time information in the first year of the new contract. The third major change will be in support of our staff. We will invest in more training for our staff to reflect the specific needs of Guernsey. We are still in discussions with the States and therefore at this stage we are unable to go into great detail, but we are excited about the possibilities of taking the bus service in Guernsey to the next level.’

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