Issue - meetings

Background:

This report sought the Cabinet’s approval to award a contract for the procurement, installation, and maintenance of twenty-six new real-time information (RTI) bus screens and associated CCTV.

It was noted that the report, as published in the agenda, had incorrectly stated that the number of screens to be installed was 34. The correct number was 26 comprised of 6 at Chatham Bus Station and 20 at other key stops.

The report explained that the current RTI infrastructure across Medway was outdated and increasingly unreliable, with frequent outages and no active maintenance contract in place. This had led to growing inconsistencies in the information provided to passengers, contributing to reduced confidence in the bus network and increased complaints. The new screens would replace the existing outdated system and improve the accuracy, reliability and accessibility of bus information across Medway.

A Diversity Impact Assessment had been undertaken in relation to the procurement and was set out at Appendix 1 to the report.

Reasons:

A small national market and benchmarking exercise demonstrates that partnership organisation Kyndi provides a high?quality, good?value, and deliverable solution. A direct award ensures the Council can meet BSIP funding timescales and address operational issues with the existing system.