£2m Argyll and Bute school bus contract goes to Garelochhead firm

Garelochhead Coaches has won a contract worth nearly £2m to run school buses in the Helensburgh area until 2021.

Argyll and Bute Council announced the 55-month contract today – it will come into effect on January 8.

The company has been running the school buses locally since winning a court battle four years ago.

Council leader Dick Walsh said: “We are committed to ensuring our pupils get safe and reliable transport to and from school, which is why we have made £1,954,529.20 available to provide the service over the term of the contract.

“Once again our procurement team has secured a service for the council while supporting a local business and ensuring best value for the public purse.

“Through their hard work and diligence they have and continue to save the council money wherever possible – money that can then be used for frontline services.

“This is a time of unprecedented challenge for local government finances. As we move forward effective procurement will become even more important, making sure we can get the very best value for the goods and services we buy in so that we can continue to support the services our communities have told us matter most to them.”