Planning

TfW North - South Wales Coach Service (Bangor to Carmarthen)

TRANSPORT FOR WALES

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

21 May 2026 at 12:03

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Transport for Wales is progressing with the planning stage of a significant public procurement process titled "TfW North – South Wales Coach Service (Bangor to Carmarthen)." This project aims to establish an express coach service stretching from Bangor to Carmarthen, enhancing transport connectivity along Wales' west coast. The procurement process is currently in the planning phase, with a preliminary market engagement scheduled to gauge market interest and operator capabilities. Interested parties are encouraged to express their interest by completing a form by 17:00 on 8th June 2026. This project falls under the industry category of public road transport services, and it covers the UKL region, primarily targeting improvements in accessibility, efficiency, and sustainability in alignment with existing transport plans.

This initiative presents substantial opportunities for businesses in the transport and vehicle maintenance sectors. Companies capable of managing public road transport services and vehicle repairs will find this tender particularly attractive, especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) seeking growth avenues. The procurement involves a significant contract value of £7.8 million, with plans to appoint an operating partner(s) to support service mobilisation by Autumn 2026. Furthermore, the appointed operator(s) will oversee the maintenance of pre-acquired Volvo B8R MCV eVoTor coaches. Given the involvement of strategic investments and stakeholder engagement, this tender is an excellent opportunity for businesses eager to contribute to a transformative transport initiative in Wales.

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How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

TfW North - South Wales Coach Service (Bangor to Carmarthen)

Notice Description

The Welsh Government and Transport for Wales share a clear ambition to deliver a more accessible, efficient and sustainable transport network. Along the west coast of Wales, this includes improving public transport connectivity and encouraging a shift away from car dependency, in line with the National Transport Delivery Plan and Regional Transport Plans. A WelTAG Stage 3 study identified an express coach service between Bangor and Carmarthen as the most effective intervention to support these objectives. By reducing the number of stops, improving journey times, and enhancing onboard quality, the service is intended to attract longer-distance passengers including students, tourists, and local residents, while also strengthening connections with the rail network between Bangor and Carmarthen. The proposed service will deliver an improvement in connectivity in Wales and the wider UK, and provides a potential opportunity for future strategic investment. This proposal is supported through ongoing stakeholder engagement. Transport for Wales intends to introduce the service in Autumn 2026 with appointed operating partner(s). To support mobilisation ahead of launch, Transport for Wales has already secured eight Volvo B8R MCV eVoTor coaches for deployment into service. Any operator appointed would be responsible for maintenance and repair of the vehicles

Planning Information

The purpose of this Preliminary Market Engagement (PME) Notice is to test market appetite, operator capability, and understand route optimisation and feasibility. To register your interest in this Preliminary Market Engagement, please follow the link below (or copy and paste into your browser) and complete the Microsoft Form by 17:00 on Monday 8th June 2026: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=JNDchxkwJkiZVrp2sqBP9GQHxZZpmRBEpZb6y9KNSQVUQzNRN0FSMDY2MUhSN05XRFdEOU1MNDRJVC4u TfW may wish to engage further with interested operators, but this is not guaranteed, depending on timescales. For any queries or issues, please contact: supplychain@tfw.wales

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-069f20
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/047065-2026
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
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

50 - Repair and maintenance services

60 - Transport services (excl. Waste transport)

CPV Codes

50100000 - Repair, maintenance and associated services of vehicles and related equipment

60100000 - Road transport services

60112000 - Public road transport services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£7,800,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
21 May 20262 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
2 Jul 20262 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Aug 2026 - 30 Aug 2027 6-12 months
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
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

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
TLL Wales
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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