Planning

Bus Franchising in the Liverpool City Region: Tranche 2 Category 1

LIVERPOOL CITY REGION COMBINED AUTHORITY

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

17 Oct 2025 at 13:56

Planning Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (LCRCA) is planning a procurement process for "Bus Franchising in the Liverpool City Region: Tranche 2 Category 1." This tender, tagged under the industry category of public road transport services, is currently at the planning stage. The procurement focuses on establishing a system for potential suppliers to obtain a Passport, which will enable them to bid for bus franchises in areas including Liverpool, Sefton, and Knowsley. Key dates include the close of the application period for the Passport system by 11:00 on 31 October 2025, with the Expression of Interest (EOI) set to be issued to Passport holders on 10 November 2025. The buying organisation is situated at 1 Mann Island, Liverpool.

This tender presents numerous opportunities for businesses involved in public transport services to expand within the Liverpool City Region by competing for local bus service franchises. Companies experienced in managing public road transport, especially those familiar with the UK procurement processes and capable of navigating the Passport System, might find this tender particularly advantageous. Firms that already hold a position on the Passport System will receive automatic notifications, positioning them favourably to participate in the tender process. New entrants interested in this opportunity should apply promptly via the e-tendering portal, The Chest, to secure a competitive position within this dynamic framework.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Bus Franchising in the Liverpool City Region: Tranche 2 Category 1

Notice Description

On 10 February 2025 Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (LCRCA) issued a Qualification system - utilities notice on Find a Tender to establish a Passport System by which potential suppliers can apply for inclusion on the Qualification System and pre-qualify so that they can bid for Liverpool City Region Category 1 franchises. This notice is to inform potential bidders that the Expression of Interest (EOI) Stage for Tranche 2 Category 1 will be issued to Passport holders on 10 November 2025. Tranche 2 Category 1 franchises covers services in Liverpool, Sefton and Knowsley. If you have applied and been accepted onto the Passport system you do not need to take any action. Automatic notifications will be sent to all operators who have been appointed a place on the Bus Franchising in the Liverpool City Region - Category 1 Passport System when the EOI is published. The messages will go to the email address on the account you used to apply to the Passport system. For those who have not yet applied and are interested in making an application please make an application via the e-tendering portal the Chest. You can get to the relevant opportunity by copying and pasting the below into your web browser: https://procontract.due-north.com/Advert?advertId=77fc27e6-b3e7-ef11-8134-005056b64545&p=e0cc5631-4690-e511-80fb-000c29c9ba21 The time and date by which Potential Suppliers must submit their Category 1 Passport Application to be guaranteed that their application will have been processed in time to be a Passport Holder entitled to compete in the LCRCA Tranche 2 Category 1 Bus Franchise competition is 11am on 31 October 2025. This is the final application date before the EOI for Tranche 2 Category 1 is launched. For further information on the Passport System and Franchises please refer to the notice for the F07: Qualification system "Bus Franchising in the Liverpool City Region - Category 1 Passport System" located on Find a Tender. You can get to the relevant notice by copying and pasting the below into your web browser: https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/004340-2025?_gl=1*en0m33*_ga*NTY1NTkxNDAzLjE3NDQ2Mjg5MzM.*_ga_SK4BZ95L7T*czE3NjA2MTM0MDgkbzI2JGcxJHQxNzYwNjEzNDIxJGo0NyRsMCRoMA..

Lot Information

Lot 1

For further information on the Passport System and Franchises please refer to the notice for the F07: Qualification system "Bus Franchising in the Liverpool City Region - Category 1 Passport System" located at https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/004340-2025?_gl=1*en0m33*_ga*NTY1NTkxNDAzLjE3NDQ2Mjg5MzM.*_ga_SK4BZ95L7T*czE3NjA2MTM0MDgkbzI2JGcxJHQxNzYwNjEzNDIxJGo0NyRsMCRoMA..

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05cefd
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/066378-2025
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Planning Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

60 - Transport services (excl. Waste transport)

CPV Codes

60112000 - Public road transport services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
17 Oct 20254 months ago
Submission Deadline
31 Oct 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
10 Nov 2025Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planned
Lots Status
Planned
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
LIVERPOOL CITY REGION COMBINED AUTHORITY
Contact Name
Procurement Team
Contact Email
tender@liverpoolcityregion-ca.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
LIVERPOOL
Postcode
L3 1BP
Post Town
Liverpool
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLD North West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLD7 Merseyside
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLD72 Liverpool
Delivery Location
TLD7 Merseyside
Local Authority
Liverpool
Electoral Ward
Waterfront South
Westminster Constituency
Liverpool Riverside

Further Information

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts. 

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