Further to minute 112 (18 October 2012), the Interim Director of Technical Services reported upon the proposed funding of two projects (Travel Solutions and Community Travel Hub) from the Local Sustainable Transport Fund, which aimed at removing or lowering transport barriers for individuals to offer them support to access employment. He outlined the interventions that were delivered by the schemes and commented that the Travel Solutions scheme involved the bulk purchase of Travelcards from Merseytravel, which would be issued to eligible individuals who met the agreed criteria. The travelcards were only available to be purchased in bulk from Merseytravel as they were Merseytravel products.

The Interim Director proposed the purchase of public transport tickets valued at up to £30k for the remainder of 2012/2013 and up to £55k for 2013/2014 and up to £55k for 2014/2015 from Merseytravel in accordance with Contract Procedure Rule (CPR) 21 “Exceptions to Procurement Procedure”. He proposed also the purchase of rail only passes to a maximum value of £10,000 over the three financial years 2012/2013 – 2014/2015 from Merseyrail in accordance with Contract Procedure Rule (CPR) 19.1 “Procurement valued at less than £50,000”.

The reason for procuring the tickets from Merseytravel and Merseyrail outside of normal procurement procedures was because it was not possible to purchase the public transport tickets, the rail only passes or other comparable travel tickets, from any other source and therefore there was no genuine competition. Even so, Merseytravel and Merseyrail operated successfully within a competitive market environment.

The Cabinet Member for Streetscene and Transport Services indicated his support for the schemes, which would assist people in accessing employment.

Resolved –

(1)  That the purchase of Travelcards up to a maximum value of £140,000 in total over three financial years 2012/2013 – 2014/2015 from Merseytravel in accordance with Contract Procedure Rule (CPR) 21 “Exception to Procurement Procedure”, be approved.

(2)  That the purchase of Rail Only passes up to a maximum value of £10,000 over the three financial years 2012/2013 – 2014/2015 from Merseyrail in accordance with Contract Procedure Rule (CPR) 19.1 “Procurement Valued at Less than £50,000 Procedure”, be approved.