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Barcodes Acceptance - 2026

Transport for London

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

PlanningUpdate

24 Aug 2026 at 10:38

UK1 - Pipeline Notice
Planning

21 May 2026 at 13:29

UK1 - Pipeline Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Transport for London intends to procure services to expand barcode ticketing across London’s transport network. The work supports barcode acceptance for fares and tickets, building on the national rollout of barcode ticketing on rail and the wider shift towards digital retailing. Its purpose is to make fares easier to understand, simplify ticketing and improve the passenger experience, ahead of a more unified railway under Great British Railways. The requirement is classified as IT services, covering consulting, software development, internet and support services. The work will be delivered in London and is being bought by Transport for London, a public undertaking. Suppliers with experience in transport ticketing, barcode acceptance, digital retail systems or related IT services should find the subject matter relevant.

This is a planned procurement: Transport for London has announced an intention to procure, but has not yet invited tenders. The buyer expects to use an open procedure, with the procurement classified as above the applicable threshold. The requirement is planned as one lot. The anticipated contract period is 15 January 2028 to 14 January 2034. Transport for London expects the next notice to be published on 16 August 2027. These are indicative planning expectations rather than a current tender deadline. The procurement’s estimated value or budget has not been stated. The planning record describes the requirement and intended route to market, but does not set out award weightings, eligibility thresholds or other detailed evaluation criteria.

The procurement is likely to suit established technology suppliers that can support barcode-based ticketing and digital retailing in a public transport environment. Relevant preparation would include demonstrating capability in IT consulting, software development, internet-enabled services and ongoing technical support, particularly where these services connect with passenger fares, tickets or acceptance systems. Experience of rail or urban transport operations would be directly relevant because the requirement forms part of wider rail ticketing and retail reform and is intended to improve the passenger experience in London. Businesses should monitor the planned procurement and consider whether they can provide the full range of technology and support services as a single supplier or through a suitable delivery partnership. No specific accreditation or capacity requirement has yet been stated.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Barcodes Acceptance - 2026

Notice Description

Barcode ticketing has been rolled out nationally on rail, further accelerating the adoption of digital retailing and acceptance. TfL's proposed expansion of barcode ticketing in London aligns with the broader rail industry-led reform of fares, ticketing, and retail. Making fares easier to understand, ticketing simpler and delivering improvements to passenger experience now, ahead of a simpler more unified railway under Great British Railways.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-069f2b
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/080209-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK1 - Pipeline Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

72 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support

CPV Codes

72000000 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support

Notice Value(s)

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

Notice Dates

Publication Date
24 Aug 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
16 Aug 202711 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
15 Jan 2028 - 14 Jan 2034 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
Transport for London
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
LONDON
Postcode
E20 1JN
Postcode Area
East London
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI4 Inner London - East
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI41 Hackney and Newham
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Newham
Electoral Ward
Stratford Olympic Park
Westminster Constituency
Stratford and Bow

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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