Planning

Transport for Greater Manchester E-Scooter Trial

TRANSPORT FOR GREATER MANCHESTER

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

28 Jan 2026 at 09:53

Summary of the contracting process

The public procurement process for an e-scooter trial is being conducted by Transport for Greater Manchester, located at 2 Piccadilly Place, Manchester, UK. This procurement, under the planning stage, is focused on services within the transport industry category, specifically relating to micromobility schemes. A preliminary market engagement notice was published on 28th January 2026, indicating an upcoming Request for Information/Expression of Interest to be issued within a fortnight. The trial aims to explore e-scooter operations across six districts in Greater Manchester, with key dates including a future notice publication set for 5th March 2026 and a contract period from 1st June 2026 to 1st June 2028.

This tender presents growth opportunities for businesses involved in micromobility and transport services, particularly those offering innovative or learning-focused e-scooter operations. Businesses that are small or medium enterprises (SMEs) or voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSEs), and are accredited operators approved by CoMoUK, would be particularly well-suited to compete in this tender. The procurement process provides a chance for operators to contribute to and benefit from the evolving micromobility landscape in Greater Manchester, with a total contract value estimated at £207,720.

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Notice Title

Transport for Greater Manchester E-Scooter Trial

Notice Description

Greater Manchester is building the Bee Network; an integrated transport network across Bus, Tram Active Travel and eventually rail, by 2028. Greater Manchester has a developing network of micromobility schemes, which have grown in a patchwork regulatory environment. Greater Manchester is at a critical juncture with regards to the provision of bike and e-scooter hire. The English Devolution Bill sets out new regulations for micromobility licensing, and with a framework due in the near future. Before this legislation comes into force, the Department for Transport has offered local authorities the opportunity to apply to run e-scooter trials in their areas up to 2028. Greater Manchester operates a proprietary bike-hire service as part of the Bee Network. TfGM launched the GM Cycle Hire scheme, now known as Starling Bank Bikes, in 2021. The scheme is provided by the micromobility operator Beryl, and operates via a docked system, with controls over pricing, branding, and integration. Salford City Council have a non-proprietary e-scooter trial, provided by Lime, in Salford. The operator takes responsibility for setting prices and branding through a concession. TfGM are in the process of understanding the current appetite from districts to launch e-scooter trials, through the latest Department for Transport call for new rental e-scooter trial areas, which are likely to be approved if they demonstrate innovation or learning opportunities. Greater Manchester operates a proprietary bike-hire service as part of the Bee Network. TfGM launched the GM Cycle Hire scheme, now known as Starling Bank Bikes, in 2021. The scheme is provided by the micromobility operator Beryl, and operates via a docked system, with controls over pricing, branding, and integration. TfGM seek to understand more about current operators in the UK micromobility market and how they would approach an e-scooter scheme in Greater Manchester as part of these new trials, as well as future opportunities for micromobility more generally between now and 2028. Respondents must be an accredited operator as approved by CoMoUK.

Planning Information

Transport for Greater Manchester is looking to conduct an e-scooter trial on behalf of the 6 districts within the Greater Manchester area. This notice is to ready the market for an Request for Information/Expression of Interest which will be published in the next fortnight.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-061071
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/007406-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
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

34 - Transport equipment and auxiliary products to transportation

60 - Transport services (excl. Waste transport)


CPV Codes

34000000 - Transport equipment and auxiliary products to transportation

60000000 - Transport services (excl. Waste transport)

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£207,720 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
28 Jan 20263 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
5 Mar 20262 weeks to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 May 2026 - 1 Jun 2028 2-3 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
TRANSPORT FOR GREATER MANCHESTER
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
procurement@tfgm.com
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
MANCHESTER
Postcode
M1 3BG
Post Town
Manchester
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLD North West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLD3 Greater Manchester
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLD33 Manchester
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
Manchester
Electoral Ward
Piccadilly
Westminster Constituency
Manchester Central

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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