Planning

LCRCA Multi-Modal Account Based Ticketing

LIVERPOOL CITY REGION COMBINED AUTHORITY

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Planning

18 Dec 2025 at 15:42

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

18 Dec 2025 at 15:18

UK1 - Pipeline Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (LCRCA) is currently in the planning stage of a procurement process for its "LCRCA Multi-Modal Account Based Ticketing" system, set to be delivered by September 2027. This project falls under the services industry category and seeks to create an integrated, tap-and-go payment system across multiple modes of transport such as buses, ferries, and rail services within Merseyside, UK (region UKD7). Interested suppliers are invited to attend a supplier engagement session scheduled on 22nd January 2026 at the LCRCA’s location in Liverpool. Registration for this event closes on 19th January 2026. This procurement, valued at £5 million, will follow the open procedure method, with contracts expected to start on 1st October 2026.

Businesses with expertise in software development and transport systems consultancy, particularly those skilled in developing account-based ticketing (ABT) solutions, will find significant growth opportunities in this tender. The LCRCA aims to collaborate with suppliers who have a proven track record of integrating with existing systems and delivering large-scale public transport solutions. The project prioritises innovative partnerships to upgrade and simplify the transport payment experience, offering Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) a considerable opportunity to contribute to the development of a London-style integrated transport network in the Liverpool city region. This tender is ideal for businesses aiming to expand their presence in the smart ticketing and transport consultancy sectors.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

LCRCA Multi-Modal Account Based Ticketing

Notice Description

Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (LCRCA) has made significant steps with our Smart Ticketing strategy over the past 5 years and we are well on the way to delivering the Mayor's vision for the London-style integrated transport network that our region deserves. A tap-and-go model is central to this approach, transforming the way people pay for and use public transport through Smart Ticketing to deliver a fully integrated, multi-modal, multi -operator and multi- token 'Tap and Go' fare capping system - ultimately aimed at growing the use of public transport across all modes. LCRCA are ready to procure a solution which can accept and process cEMV and ITSO transactions from the LCRCA estate across all modes and can construct single and multi-modal journeys, in addition to capping fares in line with LCRCA requirements. The solution is to enable the delivery of "tap and go" payment systems for both cEMV media and ITSO card holders on bus, ferry and rail by September 2027. LCRCA are looking for a supplier to integrate with the existing LCRCA ticketing ecosystem and to work alongside the combined authority to deliver its ambitious transport plans; this strategy will upgrade and streamline the tap and go experience for customers across the region. This requirement should be of particular interest to companies with a proven track record of working collaboratively with other suppliers to successfully deliver medium to large scale public transport ABT solutions.

Planning Information

LCRCA will be hosting an on-site, two-and-a-half-hour supplier engagement session for interested suppliers at 1 Mann Island, Liverpool, L3 1BP, United Kingdom, between 12:00 and 14:30 on Thursday 22nd January 2026, limited to two attendees per company. We will deliver a presentation for around 60 minutes, with the remaining session time available for interested suppliers to ask questions. Interested suppliers should confirm their attendance to the supplier engagement session to Jenni.Kirkham@liverpoolcityregion-ca.gov.uk, manjinder.griffiths@liverpoolcityregion-ca.gov.uk and Tender@liverpoolcityregion-ca.gov.uk; by no later than 10am on Monday 19th January 2026; following which they will be sent an invitation to the supplier engagement session. A Q&A sheet capturing the discussion and the presentation slides will be subsequently shared as part of the tender documentation for suppliers unable to attend the session.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05f972
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/084548-2025
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

48 - Software package and information systems

71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services

CPV Codes

48000000 - Software package and information systems

71311200 - Transport systems consultancy services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£5,000,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
18 Dec 20251 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
23 Mar 20263 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
30 Sep 2026 - 30 Sep 2031 Over 5 years
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
Not specified
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

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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