Public Sector Vehicle Hire Solutions launched

The Crown Commercial Service has awarded its latest vehicle hire agreement - with a focus on boosting car share solutions and making it easy for customers to deliver social value.

The Public Sector Vehicle Hire Solutions framework agreement provides customers access to solutions including car hire, light commercial vehicles (LCV), on-road and full off-road 4x4s, minibuses, heavy goods vehicles, international vehicle hire and car share schemes.

Car sharing can help employers to reduce the number of miles driven in customers’ own cars, cutting hire costs and administrative burden. Cars can also be returned flexibly, further reducing costs and emissions.

The agreement makes it easier for customers to implement workable car share schemes, also known as car club, and daily rental options, which are now available on the same lot.

The framework is available to all public sector bodies including central government, devolved administrations, NHS bodies, local authorities, police, the voluntary sector and charities. It is also available to any private sector organisation procuring on behalf of the public sector.

Crown Commercial Service says that 11 suppliers, including three small and medium-sized enterprises, have been awarded places on the agreement, which will run for three years. Suppliers were required to demonstrate their social value credentials as part of the award and easy-to-follow guidance is given so that customers can evaluate social value during the call off stage.

Katrina Williams, head of Travel at CCS, said: “We’re excited to launch this new agreement to support the public sector in achieving maximum commercial value on vehicle hire. Our enhanced lot structure means we are now able to offer customers daily rental and car share services through a single supplier solution, saving them time, money and improving their experience.”