Go North East is considering legal action in a row with Durham County Council over a park-and-ride contract. The bus operator was placed joint-second by the council’s scoring system to select a preferred operator for the park-and-ride services, despite claiming to have submitted a cheaper bid.
Peter Huntley, the firm’s managing director, said: ‘Having seen details of the scoring system, we believe it to be substantially flawed. We also believe there have been inconsistencies between the scoring system set out in the tender document and its application during the tender process, and have asked for both of these areas to be addressed.’
The contract was awarded to Arriva, but Go North East has instructed its legal representatives to prepare a case for injunction to prevent the authority appointing an operator until the firm’s concerns have been examined. Go North East has written to the council’s chief executive and leader outlining its views, and has requested that the process be thoroughly reviewed leading to a re-tendering process based on ‘clear, consistent criteria’.
A spokesman for the council said: ‘No decision has been made either way. It has been referred to the cabinet for its consideration and we will have to go from there.’
Register now for full access
Register just once to get unrestricted, real-time coverage of the issues and challenges facing UK transport and highways engineers.
Full website content includes the latest news, exclusive commentary from leading industry figures and detailed topical analysis of the highways, transportation, environment and place-shaping sectors.
Use the link below to register your details for full, free access.
Already a registered? Login
