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Rail Replacement Service - Bus and Coach Operators

Transport for Wales Rail Limited (Utility Buyer)

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

PlanningUpdate

21 Sep 2026 at 11:54

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

16 Sep 2026 at 15:54

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Transport for Wales Rail Limited is planning to procure rail replacement transport services from bus, coach and minibus operators. The framework will support replacement bus, coach and minibus journeys across Wales and on cross-border routes operated by Transport for Wales Rail Limited. It will also cover ad hoc passenger transport services when required. The procurement is for services, classified broadly as road transport services. Transport for Wales Rail Limited is the utility buyer, based at 3 Llys Cadwyn, Pontypridd. The arrangement is intended to provide transport capacity for passengers affected by rail service disruption, alongside other passenger transport requirements identified by the operator. Suppliers should be able to operate in Wales and on relevant cross-border routes.

This procurement is at the planning stage and concerns the second opening of an open framework; it is not yet an invitation to tender. The buyer expects to hold a market engagement webinar for new interested operators on 28 September 2026, with tender publication expected in late September 2026, tender closing in late October 2026, and evaluation and award in early December 2026. These dates are indicative and may change. The framework is expected to run from 4 December 2026 to 24 August 2034. Its estimated value is £71,576,858 excluding VAT, or £85,892,229 including VAT. There is one planned lot, and the framework is above the relevant threshold. The lot is identified as suitable for SMEs and VCSEs.

The procurement is likely to suit established bus, coach and minibus operators with the vehicles, drivers, operating licences, scheduling capability and operational resilience needed to provide passenger transport at short notice. Suppliers should be prepared to support rail replacement work across Wales and relevant cross-border routes, including variable demand and ad hoc passenger services. Experience of carrying passengers safely, managing route changes, coordinating with a rail operator and maintaining reliable service during disruption would be commercially relevant. The framework is also intended to allow new operators to join, so businesses that did not participate in its initial establishment may wish to prepare their organisational, fleet and compliance information. SMEs and voluntary, community or social enterprises are identified as suitable participants.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Rail Replacement Service - Bus and Coach Operators

Notice Description

Transport for Wales Rail Limited (TfWRL) is planning the second opening of its Rail Replacement Services Open Framework. The framework supports the provision of rail replacement bus, coach and minibus services across Wales and cross-border routes operated by TfWRL. The framework also includes the provision of ad hoc passenger transport services where required. Following the successful launch of the framework earlier in 2026, TfWRL is seeking to re-engage with existing suppliers and engage potential new suppliers ahead of the second opening of the framework.

Planning Information

Following the successful launch of the initial open framework earlier in 2026, TfWRL is seeking to engage with potential new suppliers ahead of the second opening of the framework. TfWRL invites bus, coach and minibus operators to attend a market engagement webinar to learn more about: *The Rail Replacement Services framework and upcoming Release 2 opportunity. *How the Open Framework operates and the benefits of participation. *Opportunities for new operators to join the framework. *The anticipated procurement timetable. *Tender support available to suppliers. *Questions and answers with the TfWRL project team. The indicative timetable is: *Market Engagement Webinar for operators already appointed to the framework: 25/09/26. *Market Engagement Webinar for new operators interested in learning more about this opportunity: 28/09/26. *Tender Publication: Late September 2026 *Tender Closing Date: Late October 2026 *Evaluation and Award: Early December 2026 The dates provided are indicative and may be amended at the Authority's discretion. The previous UK2 unique identifying reference for the initial establishment of the open framework was: ocds-h6vhtk-060348

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0773c0
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/089069-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
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

60 - Transport services (excl. Waste transport)

CPV Codes

60100000 - Road transport services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£71,576,858 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
21 Sep 2026Today
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
29 Sep 20261 weeks to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
4 Dec 2026 - 24 Aug 2034 Over 5 years
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 Rail Limited (Utility Buyer)
Additional Buyers

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
Postcode Area
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
TLC North East (England), TLD North West (England), TLF East Midlands (England), TLH East (England), TLI London, TLJ South East (England), TLK South West (England), TLL Wales
Local Authority
Rhondda Cynon Taf
Electoral Ward
Pontypridd Town
Westminster Constituency
Pontypridd

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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