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DFTO Ground Transportation

DFT OPERATOR LIMITED

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

08 Sep 2026 at 12:02

UK15 - Dynamic Market Modification Notice
Award

03 Jul 2026 at 12:57

UK14 - Dynamic Market Establishment Notice
Tender

22 May 2026 at 14:05

UK13 - Dynamic Market Intention Notice
Summary of the contracting process

DFT Operator Limited is establishing and managing a dynamic market for ground transportation supporting train operating companies and other public-sector users. It covers two service areas: managed bus and coach services for planned and emergency rail replacement, event and demand management, station shuttles and longer-distance journeys; and managed taxi and private-hire services for train crew, railway staff and passengers when rail services are disrupted or inaccessible. Work may be required across a wide geographical area covering England, Scotland and Wales, including London and other UK regions. Bus and coach providers must supply suitable accessible vehicles and qualified drivers, with capacity matched to demand and coordination with rail and station operations. Taxi providers may deliver pre-booked or ad-hoc journeys, including accessible transport, with booking, dispatch, tracking and reporting support.

The procurement has reached the awarded establishment stage: the dynamic market was established on 3 July 2026 and modified on 8 September 2026. It is an open procedure using a dynamic market, with electronic submissions allowed. The market period runs from 1 June 2026 to 31 May 2034. There are two awarded lots. Lot 1, buses and coaches, was awarded to First Travel Solutions Limited, Transport UK London Bus Limited, Arriva UK Trains Limited, Go South Coast Limited, CMAC Group UK Limited and Stagecoach Rail Replacement (East) Limited. Lot 2, taxis and private-hire vehicles, was awarded to First Travel Solutions Limited, Transport UK London Bus Limited, Arriva UK Trains Limited, CMAC Group UK Limited, Uber B.V., Courtesy Cars Redhill Limited and Addison Lee Limited. No award or contract value is stated.

This opportunity demonstrates sustained public-sector demand for suppliers able to support rail operations across a broad UK footprint. A credible bus and coach competitor would need PSVAR-compliant accessible vehicles, qualified drivers, flexible fleet capacity and the operational control to handle planned engineering works, emergencies, events, station shuttles and longer journeys. It would also need strong coordination with rail operators and station staff, and robust safety, transport and accessibility compliance. Taxi and private-hire competitors would need appropriately licensed and insured vehicles, including accessible vehicles, reliable driver and vehicle availability, and the ability to provide 24/7 response when required. Booking, dispatch, journey tracking, performance reporting, safeguarding and data capability are important for managed ground transport. The successful field includes large transport groups, specialist rail-replacement providers, taxi operators and an SME, showing scope for different operating models.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

DFTO Ground Transportation

Notice Description

DFT Operator "DFTO" intends to establish and operate a Dynamic Market to enable Train Operating Companies (TOCs) within the DFTO group and the public sector to run further call off competitions for Managed Bus/Coach (Rail Replacement Services) and Managed Taxi Services. DFTO will act as the contracting authority for the establishment, governance and ongoing management of the Dynamic Market. Individual TOCs will act as Customers and will conduct Call-Off Competitions and award Call-Off Contracts under the Dynamic Market in their own capacity as contracting authorities. The Dynamic Market will remain open for its duration, allowing Suppliers to apply for admission at any time, subject to meeting the Conditions for Membership. Admitted Suppliers will be invited by Customers to participate in Call-Off Competitions for specific requirements. DFTO will not be a party to any Call-Off Contract awarded under the Dynamic Market unless expressly stated otherwise. The structure of this Dynamic Market is intended to support future organisational change within the rail sector and may be utilised by successor bodies to DFTO in accordance with applicable legislation. The term of the Dynamic Market is anticipated to be 8 years from the date of publication of the intentions notice (Estimated to be 31/03/2026). Please note for the purposes of publishing this notice nominal dates have been inputted and are not reflective of the actual . Contract start and end dates will determined by the users of the Dynamic Market. For more information about this opportunity, please visit the eSourcing portal at: https://dfto.delta-esourcing.com/tenders/UK-UK-London:-Taxi-services./3C8SQCEM6M To respond to this opportunity, please click here: https://dfto.delta-esourcing.com/respond/3C8SQCEM6M

Lot Information

Lot 1 Buses and Coaches

Managed Bus and Coach Services (Rail Replacement) Suppliers will be expected to provide bus and coach transport services to replace or supplement rail services for the entire geographical area that they apply for. This may include and is not limited to: (a)Planned rail replacement services during engineering works (b)Emergency rail replacement during disruption or service failure (c)Event or demand management services (d)Local shuttle services between stations (e)Longer distance coach services where appropriate Suppliers must provide: (f)Suitable PSVAIR/PSVAR-licensed vehicles and qualified drivers (g)Capacity appropriate to passenger demand (h)Coordination with rail operations and station staff (i)Compliance with all applicable safety, transport and accessibility regulations

Lot 2 Taxis and Private Hire Vehicles

Managed Taxi Services Suppliers shall provide managed taxi and private hire vehicle services in the geographical area that they apply for to deliver the transportation of: (a)Train crew (including drivers and conductors) (b)Operational railway staff (c)Passengers where alternative transport is required This may include but is not limited to: (d)Crew transport between depots, stations, and operational locations (e)Passenger taxis during disruption, last train situations, accessibility requirements or where rail services cannot operate (f)Ad-hoc or pre-booked journeys arranged through the Authority's booking channels (g)Accessible vehicles where required (h)24/7 availability to support operational railway requirements Suppliers may be required to provide booking management, dispatch, journey tracking and reporting capability. Operational Requirements Suppliers must: (a)Provide reliable and timely services aligned with rail operational needs (b)Maintain all appropriate licensing, insurance, and regulatory compliance (c)Meet all applicable legal safety, safeguarding, and accessibility requirements (d)Support 24/7 operations where required (e)Provide data and reporting on journeys and performance

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06a15d
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/084823-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK15 - Dynamic Market Modification Notice
Procurement Type
Dynamic
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Dynamic market
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large, SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

34 - Transport equipment and auxiliary products to transportation

60 - Transport services (excl. Waste transport)

CPV Codes

34121000 - Buses and coaches

34121100 - Public-service buses

60112000 - Public road transport services

60120000 - Taxi services

60172000 - Hire of buses and coaches with driver

Notice Value(s)

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

Notice Dates

Publication Date
8 Sep 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
31 May 20348 years to go
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Active
Lots Status
Active
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
DFT OPERATOR LIMITED
Additional Buyers

DFT Operator Limited 'DFTO'

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
SE1 8SW
Postcode Area
South East London
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI4 Inner London - East
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI45 Lambeth
Delivery Location
TLC North East (England), TLD North West (England), TLF East Midlands (England), TLG West Midlands (England), TLH East (England), TLI London, TLJ South East (England), TLK South West (England), TLL Wales, TLL1 West Wales and The Valleys, TLL14 South West Wales, TLL2 East Wales, TLM Scotland, TLM5 North Eastern Scotland, TLM7 Eastern Scotland, TLM8 West Central Scotland, TLM9 Southern Scotland
Local Authority
Lambeth
Electoral Ward
Waterloo & South Bank
Westminster Constituency
Vauxhall and Camberwell Green

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
9
Supplier Names

First Travel Solutions Ltd

Abellio London

ARRIVA UK TRAINS LIMITED

Go South Coast Ltd

CMAC GROUP UK LIMITED

Stagecoach Rail Replacement (East) Limited

Uber

Courtesy Cars Redhill

Addison Lee Limited

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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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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