Public transport services are critical in providing Territorians access to important social, economic and cultural services, such as education, health, employment, and events.

A tender has been released, inviting applications to provide public transport services across Greater Darwin including public bus services, school bus services, special needs services and services for special events.

This tender is released every few years and is valued at over $400 million for a period of 72 months, with the option to extend for a further 48 months, and is expected to continue to support over 290 ongoing jobs.

Seeking a highly experienced and qualified service provider or providers, this tender will deliver bus services in the Darwin and urban service contract areas for:

• Zone A – Darwin and Northern Suburbs
• Zone B – Palmerston and Surrounding Areas
• Zone C – Rural Area
• Zone D – Special Need, Intensive English Unit and Seniors Run

The urban public bus services provided across the Greater Darwin area transport over 4.2 million passenger journeys each year, on 40 different routes, covering over 5 million kilometres, with over 180 buses. 

Greater Darwin’s school bus services transport over 1.5 million student journeys each year, on 80 school buses, covering 1.9 million kilometres across 187 school bus routes.

The Territory Government provides transport for special needs students, as well as those enrolled in the Intensive English Unit and seniors. Per annum, the services provided for special needs students, transports over 300 students to 7 schools and 11 satellite classes in the greater Darwin area.

The tender closes 19 August 2021, with the new contracts beginning 1 March 2022. 

For more information on the public transport services managed by the Northern Territory Government, visit nt.gov.au/driving/public-transport-cycling.

Quotes attributed to the Minister for Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics, Eva Lawler:

“Public transport is vital for our community to function.

“From running 187 school bus routes, being available for major events, this contract will make sure the Territory keeps moving.

“With over 290 ongoing jobs, this tender will support many Territorians with employment, while also supporting 5.8 million individual journeys by Territorians who catch public transport and school buses each year.”