CP2410-23 Devon Car Club and Bike Club

Description

Devon County Council is seeking to appoint a single operator to provide a membership-based pay as you go round-trip Car Club within the Devon County Council administrative area, initially focused around Exeter. Devon County Council is seeking to appoint a single operator to deliver and manage a publicly accessible electrically assisted pedal cycle share scheme across the Exeter area. Devon County Council encourages the ability to provide additional geofenced parking locations in agreed locations across the Devon County Council local authority area. In addition to Devon County Council, partner locations will include those of Exeter Science Park, The University of Exeter, Exeter City Council, Exeter College and The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Trust The project will reduce transport carbon emissions, encourage shared travel, help inform suitable low carbon travel choices, be practical and be accessible to both the public and businesses. The contract(s) will be let as a concession contract(s). Lot 1: Lot1 Devon Car Club The Operator must provide a membership-based pay as you go round-trip Car Club within the Devon County Council administrative area, initially focused around Exeter. In addition to Devon County Council, partner locations will include those of Exeter Science Park, The University of Exeter and Exeter City Council. In addition to the standards required by CoMoUK accreditation the Car Club must meet the following minimum standards: o Car Club vehicles must be available for hire 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days per year, except where access is restricted. o Car Club members must be able to make a booking on a mobile app, or via an online booking service. The mobile application must be available for smartphone on the iOS and Android platforms and updated during the contract to maintain compatibility with the current and previous major versions of each operating system, so not to exclude users with older devices. o An emergency phone line must be available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days per year. The Operator will be responsible for matters including but not limited to the following indicative list of major responsibilities: o Any costs of conversion of parking bays for use by the Car Club (e.g. line painting and sign installation) o All vehicle and technology purchases, leasing, ownership, maintenance and insurance of the Car Club fleet. o Establishing and running a membership and booking system which will include a procedure for verifying prospective Car Club members. o Day to day operation and management of the Car Club. o Providing staff to manage the Car Club vehicles and respond to any site or vehicle-specific incidents. o In partnership with Devon County Council, marketing and promoting the Car Club to encourage maximum growth of membership base, and Car Club usage. o Working with private developers to identify and deliver opportunities for the Car Club to address car-parking needs associated with new and existing developments o Actively pursuing opportunities to integrate the Car Club with wider public transport network and walking / cycling facilities. o Actively pursue opportunities to integrate the Car Club with local tourism offerings including accommodation providers and tourism attractions. Exploring opportunities to develop a visitor model, looking to provide instant sign up, discounted offers with local attractions, etc. o Satisfying the national CoMoUK Car Club Accreditation criteria, and maintaining full accredited status throughout the contract period or aspiring to do so in the short term. o Providing Management Information to Devon County Council. o All other necessary financial, accounting and legal obligations associated with the operation of the Car Club. Communications and Marketing The Operator must have a marketing and communications plan and promotion strategy to increase take up of the service by different customer groups. The Operator must actively engage with businesses and the local communities to promote the scheme Lot 2: Lot2 Devon Bike Club Bike Club The Operator must deliver and manage a publicly accessible electrically assisted pedal cycle share scheme across the Exeter area. Devon County Council encourages the ability to provide additional geofenced parking locations in agreed locations across the Devon County Council local authority area. In addition to Devon County Council, partner locations will include those of Exeter Science Park, The University of Exeter, Exeter City Council, Exeter College and The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Trust The provision of appropriate user guidance and geo-fencing must be used to manage operations to ensure that users are only able to end the rental period at defined parking locations. The Council encourages the Operator to carefully consider how theft and vandalism of the bikes can be minimised, The Operator must ensure that they have measures in place to encourage safe parking and ensure that bikes are not left outside these defined areas and become an obstruction on the public highway, thereby creating problems for people with mobility issues and/or sight impairment. Parking stations are distinct locations where the bikes can be located, collected and returned by users. All sites will be subject to detailed investigation and may be subject to Traffic Regulation Orders, planning permission, negotiation with third party landowners and/or public consultation if appropriate. Devon County Council is confident that the sites proposed in this tender already have these permissions, but some may need additional checks. Collaboration The Operator must work in partnership with Devon County and key stakeholders in the area including local authorities, large organisations, prominent businesses and employers, and transport operators. Devon County Council is keen to explore how the bike club could be used in social prescribing and the operator must be willing to engage on this issue. Pricing and payment The scheme tariff options must be attractive for regular and one-off users, such as visitors, as well as corporate users, whilst being set to maximise revenue through usage. Communications and Marketing The Operator must have a marketing and communications plan and promotion strategy to increase take up of the service by different customer groups. The Operator must actively engage with businesses and the local communities to promote the scheme. This plan will outline promotional activity planned during the mobilisation period in order to maximise interest and publicity in advance of the Launch Date.