Planning

Bus Franchising - Dynamic Market for the South West

TRANSPORT FOR WALES

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

20 Oct 2025 at 08:53

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Transport for Wales is in the planning stage of a procurement process for the franchising of bus services in the South West of Wales, covering regions such as Neath Port Talbot, Swansea, Carmarthenshire, and Pembrokeshire. The contracting opportunity, titled "Bus Franchising - Dynamic Market for the South West," is intended to be procured via a Dynamic Market under the legal framework of the Bus Services (Wales) Bill. The dynamic purchasing system will focus on public road transport services with a total estimated contract value of £400 million. Key dates include a scheduled engagement event by 3rd December 2025, while the expected notice date for further details is slated for 30th January 2026. The procurement process is governed by Welsh devolved regulations, and the contract will span from April 2026 to April 2037.

This procurement presents an attractive opportunity for bus operators interested in expanding their operations in the public transport sector, particularly those with a focus on bus services. The Dynamic Market approach allows smaller and voluntary sector enterprises to participate, creating a competitive environment for both established operators and SMEs. Businesses interested in the opportunity are encouraged to engage in upcoming market events organised by Transport for Wales to gain insights into the process and requirements for tendering. This initiative represents significant potential for growth, particularly for firms focusing on sustainable and efficient transport solutions within the specified Welsh regions.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Bus Franchising - Dynamic Market for the South West

Notice Description

This notice is intended to inform Bus Operators with interest in running future bus services within the South West of Wales, and to offer guidance around Transport for Wales proposed route to market for the procurement of franchised bus services in support of the Bus Services (Wales) Bill. Transport for Wales are intending to procure services via a Dynamic Market, with the first region covering services from Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire, Swansea and Neath Port Talbot with some cross border services to neighbouring authorities. The franchising programme will take a regional approach with initial focus within the South West.

Planning Information

Transport for Wales will be holding a number of in person events across the South West of Wales. Our intention is to meet with operators interested in running various sizes of franchised bus services within Neath Port Talbot, Swansea, Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire. An event will be held in each of these areas. The events will be designed to give potential tenderers a better understanding of bus franchising, our route to market via a Dynamic market, the requirements for onboarding, potential route packages for tender at a later stage and our timelines for the process. It is important to Transport for Wales to engage the market and explain our approach to those wishing to tender, take feedback on our strategy and deliver a network solution for the South West of Wales that works for everyone. The events will be by invite only so that we ensure we can cater effectively for all interested bidders. If interested, please contact Transport for Wales via supplychain@tfw.wales where we will give you further details on the events and help you to register.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05cf71
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/066576-2025
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Dynamic
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
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
£400,000,000 £100M-£1B
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
20 Oct 20254 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
30 Jan 2026Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
29 Apr 2026 - 30 Apr 2037 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Planning
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
TRANSPORT FOR WALES
Contact Name
Stefan Iles
Contact Email
supplychain@tfw.wales
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
PONTYPRIDD
Postcode
CF37 4TH
Post Town
Cardiff
Country
Wales
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLL Wales
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLL5 South East Wales
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLL51 Central Valleys and Bridgend
Delivery Location
TLL1 West Wales and The Valleys
Local Authority
Rhondda Cynon Taf
Electoral Ward
Pontypridd Town
Westminster Constituency
Pontypridd

Further Information

Notice Documents

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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