TfGM/GMCA Franchise Contracts – Tranche 3 Schools Awards

03 September 2024

Following today’s announcement, Diamond Bus North West are pleased to announce that it has been selected to operate seven School Bus Franchises within Greater Manchester.

Rotala subsidiary, Diamond Bus North West, has been awarded seven 2.5-year contracts, with options to extend, by Transport for Greater Manchester and Greater Manchester Combined Authority to operate school bus services within the Tranche 3 area (Trafford, South Manchester, Stockport and Tameside).

The contract involves the operation of 46 routes to over 30 different schools, requiring 38 vehicles and approximately 45 colleagues. The services will operate from Diamond’s existing depots in Eccles and Bolton. The services will be mobilised alongside the Stockport, Tameside B and Trafford small franchises in Tranche 3 awarded by TfGM/GMCA in March 2024.

Under the Franchise framework, we look forward to welcoming new colleagues from the outgoing operators under TUPE. These will be supplemented by additional members of staff who will be recruited and trained in advance of commencement of operations in January 2025.

Bob Dunn, Executive Director Diamond Bus North West commented: “we are pleased to have been awarded a further seven franchises within Greater Manchester, meaning by next year we will be operating 18 small or school bus franchises. We are currently working hard making preparations for January, and we look forward to meeting our new customers and colleagues early next year.”