Serious questions are now being raised about Bradford Council’s school transport tendering process following reports that Girlington Private Hire received a letter on 16 October 2026 notifying the company of the termination of its remaining school transport contracts.

The company reportedly held approximately 300 school runs, but concerns have emerged over contract pricing, alleged service failures and the reliability of transport for children, particularly those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

WARNINGS OVER UNSUSTAINABLE PRICES:

PHTM has previously reported concerns raised by fellow local operators that Girlington Private Hire had submitted bids significantly below prevailing commercial rates when school transport contracts were awarded at the start of the academic year.

Those operators say they warned Bradford Council at the time that some of the prices quoted were too low to provide a safe, reliable and financially sustainable service.

Despite these reported warnings, contracts continued to be awarded.

WHY ARE THE CONTRACTS BEING TERMINATED?

Since the start of the school year, concerns have reportedly included:

• Late collections and arrivals affecting school transport services.

• Safeguarding concerns involving vulnerable children.

• Inconsistent driver arrangements, particularly concerning for SEND children who rely on familiar drivers and established routines.

• Approximately 20 school runs allegedly handed back after difficulties delivering the work at the agreed prices.

• Further individual contracts reportedly terminated before the latest decision affecting the remaining school runs.

These allegations have not been independently verified, and Bradford Council has yet to confirm the precise grounds for the reported terminations.

LOCAL OPERATOR QUESTIONS COUNCIL DECISIONS:

One operator, speaking anonymously, questioned why contracts continued to be awarded despite reported warnings:

“The council was made aware that the prices being offered were extremely low and that there were concerns about whether the work could be managed at those rates. Other operators raised concerns at the time, yet the contracts continued to be awarded.”

“Now all the runs are being terminated, drivers could be left facing the consequences of decisions they had no control over.”

DRIVERS, ESCORTS AND FAMILIES FACE UNCERTAINTY:

The reported termination could leave drivers and passenger escorts facing significant loss of income, while families need reassurance that safe, reliable and uninterrupted transport will be maintained.

COULD OTHER CONTRACTS BE AFFECTED?

Questions may also arise for NHS-related transport commissioners and other organisations reportedly using Girlington Private Hire.

Sources have alleged wider service-related issues, although these remain unverified and no connection with the reported school transport terminations has been established.

QUESTIONS BRADFORD COUNCIL MUST ANSWER:

• Were warnings about exceptionally low tender prices properly investigated?

• What checks established whether the company had sufficient drivers, escorts and resources to manage approximately 200 school runs?

• Were returned routes and reported service concerns taken into account?

• What were the specific reasons for terminating the remaining contracts?

• How will affected children, drivers and escorts be supported?

Both Bradford Council and Girlington Private Hire should have the opportunity to respond to the reported concerns.

THE WIDER ISSUE:

The situation raises serious questions about whether Bradford Council’s procurement process placed too much emphasis on price and insufficient consideration on a provider’s ability to deliver safe, reliable and sustainable services.

If experienced local operators warned that the contracts could not be delivered at the prices quoted, were those concerns properly investigated?

For drivers, passenger escorts and families, the immediate concern is what happens next?

For Bradford Council, the wider question is whether its tendering and contract management decisions contributed to a situation that could have been avoided — and what lessons must now be learned.

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