Award of transport contract underlines commitment to local employability and sustainability

Apr 9, 2008

ECT Group and HCT Group, two of the country’s largest social enterprises, formed the partnership. Both already provide services that focus on making transport available to all.

E&HCT will be operating a bus service that will transport workers from key pick up points between construction areas, venues and compounds within the Olympic Park. The service will reduce the number of private vehicles on local roads, offering environmental benefits and reducing local congestion. E&HCT is also committed to employing local people and targeting people that find it hard to find employment. The service will create new job opportunities for local communities around the Olympic Park.

E&HCT were awarded this contract following a detailed, rigorous and fair evaluation of all bids. E&HCT demonstrated that they have the experience and capability to deliver a high quality, reliable bus service for the ODA, whilst providing value for money.

The four-year contract will cover drivers, buses, vehicle maintenance, vehicle decommissioning, route planning and time-tabling. The buses will start on 14 April 2008, and increase in number according to the growing numbers of workers on site.

ODA Director of Transport, Hugh Sumner, said: 'E&HCT were the successful bidders for this contract due to their commitment to making a difference to the areas in which they operate, primarily targeting the unemployed locally, who they then recruit and train to drive their vehicles.

'They already operate a significant number of transport services up and down the country, and have an excellent track record in delivering a quality service and value for money. E&HCT are truly dedicated to making public transport available to all and I am confident they will bring many benefits to Stratford.'

Dai Powell, Chief Executive Officer of HCT Group, said: 'We are really delighted to be participating in this landmark project and, through its operation, to be given the opportunity of demonstrating once again how social enterprise can play an important part in the delivery of public transport services up and down the country.'

Anna Whitty, Operations Director of ECT Group, said: 'We believe that the award of this contract is an important indication of the successful track record of both social enterprises. We look forward to working with the ODA and contributing to what is obviously going to be an extremely exciting project.'

 

Article from www.london2012.com