xGrouping orders in order to bring prices down is the objective of this new purchasing agency created by Agir Transport, an association of 86 independent public transport companies (10 000 buses and coaches) such as Marseille, Toulouse or Poitiers.
"It is open to non-members and to independents companies, said Arnaud Rabier, Agir spokesman. The idea is to put pressure on manufacturers and service providers to obtain better prices, and prevent transport authorities to have to enter into bid for offers. We write the technical specifications and organize the bid for offers", he adds.
With a 2% fee on the final price "against 7-8% for UGAP (another purchasing agency for public authorities ed.)", said Arnaud Rabier.
Tires and trams
Local transport authorities can buy almost everything via this new purchasing agency : buses, coaches, tires, fuel, drivers costumes, insurances, as well as tramways.
They can also rent buses or coaches thanks to pooled agreements with rental bus companies : "we will establish a maximum price, quality level, and our members will only have to choose into the catalog and order on line".
Agir has developed a website to browse the catalog of products and services referenced by the transport purchasing agency purchasing, and member will order on line.
Six natural gas buses
The agency has already launched a bid for offer for six buses with natural gas on behalf of the city of Forbach (east of France). Four others local public transport networks are interested in using the agency to find good value insurances in order to guarantee their bus fleets.
Nathalie Arensonas & Robert Viennet
