Specimen timeline - accessible version
Published 17 December 2025
Applies to England
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/demand-responsive-transport/specimen-timeline-accessible-version
Specimen timeline for setting up a DRT scheme
This page relates to the guidance for local authorities in England on how to set up and run demand responsive transport (DRT).
The graphic shows an example of a typical timeline to set up and launch a DRT scheme from scratch.
The stages it describes with rough timescales are described in the text below the graphic.
Accessible text description of timeline graphic
| Activity starts | Activity | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Months 1 - 12 | Local authority internal clearance process | 12 months |
| Months 1 - 2 | Initial planning | 2 months |
| Months 1 - 2 | Data analysis - recognition of issue | 1 month |
| Months 1 - 2 | Development of scheme design - consult software providers and other LAs which have DRT | 3 months |
| Months 3 – 11 | Procurement | 8 months |
| Months 3 - 4 | Whether you have existing in-house fleet and drivers or not: Decide on tech procurement process Develop tech provider specification |
1 month |
| Months 3 - 4 | Only if you have no in-house fleet and drivers: Develop operator / driver / vehicle specification |
2 months |
| Months 3 - 4 | Only if you have no in-house fleet and drivers: Vehicle purchasing |
2 months |
| Months 5 - 11 | Vehicle lead time | 6 months |
| Months 5 - 6 | Develop marketing and promotion strategy | 4 months |
| Months 5 - 6 | Launch tenders | 1 month |
| Months 5 - 6 | If no in-house fleet: Purchase vehicles |
1 month |
| Months 5 - 6 | Payment processor engagement and finalisation of contract | 4 months |
| Months 6 - 12 | Pre-launch | 6 months |
| Months 7 - 8 | Award tenders | 1 month |
| Months 7 - 8 | Work with contractors to set up scheme | 2 months |
| Months 8 - 9 | Call centre staff and driver training | 3 months |
| Months 10 - 12 | DRT marketing, comms and engagement | 3 months |
| Months 10 - 12 | Testing the service | 3 months |
| Months 10 - 12 | Vehicle livery / wrap | 2 months |
| Post launch | Operating and reviewing | Ongoing |
| Post launch | Analysis of data | Ongoing |
| Post launch | Service alteration / parameters / algorithm / zone sizes / number of vehicles in a zone | Ongoing |