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TravelNet Systems Bus Replacement Service

Train Information Services Limited

This public procurement record has 4 releases in its history.

AwardUpdate

18 Sep 2026 at 12:52

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
AwardUpdate

18 Sep 2026 at 12:51

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Award

17 Sep 2026 at 16:18

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Award

17 Sep 2026 at 16:18

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Train Information Services Limited procured a bus replacement service from TravelNet Systems. The requirement is delivered through industry-specific software supporting bus replacement information, associated with the railway sector. Its stated purpose is to maintain existing Darwin integrations and relationships with bus service aggregators used across distinct train operating company ecosystems. TravelNet Systems is the selected supplier and is a small and medium-sized enterprise based in Chelmsford. The buying organisation is Train Information Services Limited, based in London. The procurement is categorised as goods, although the practical requirement is a software-enabled service for managing or providing bus replacement information. The contract also allows additional services within scope for train operating companies and other authorised affiliates and members under the contract rights.

The procurement is complete and was awarded on 17 September 2026 to TravelNet Systems through a direct award. The award is for one lot, with a net value of £1,317,600 and a gross value including tax of £1,581,120. The contract period runs from 30 September 2026 to 29 September 2029. The buyer justified the direct award on technical and operational grounds: alternative suppliers were considered to exist, but none was identified as able to use the existing Darwin integrations and aggregator relationships without incompatibility, disproportionate technical and operational difficulty or substantial redevelopment. The award is above the relevant threshold. Additional in-scope services may be purchased for authorised train operating companies, affiliates and members. A signature milestone is scheduled for 30 September 2026.

This procurement shows demand for suppliers able to provide bus replacement information software within established rail industry technology environments. A credible competitor would need practical experience integrating with Darwin, maintaining dependable links to bus service aggregators and supporting the distinct data and operational arrangements of train operating company ecosystems. The requirement favours suppliers with proven interoperability, strong technical assurance and the capacity to operate an embedded service without forcing major redevelopment or creating disruption for existing users. Relevant capability includes integrating with incumbent transport information systems, managing data exchanges with external aggregators, and supporting multiple authorised rail-sector organisations under shared contractual arrangements. TravelNet Systems is recorded as an SME, indicating that this type of technically embedded requirement can be delivered by a specialist smaller provider with the necessary integrations and operational relationships.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

TravelNet Systems Bus Replacement Service

Notice Description

This is not a "sole source" in market terms. This paper recommends direct awards to the two incumbent suppliers, each serving distinct TOC ecosystems. Alternative suppliers exist in the market; however, no alternative supplier has been identified that can currently deliver using the existing Darwin integrations and aggregator relationships without causing incompatibility and disproportionate technical and operational difficulty or requiring substantial redevelopment, due to their embedded position within each TOC and the TOCs' bus service aggregators.

Procurement Information

This is not a "sole source" in market terms. This paper recommends direct awards to the two incumbent suppliers, each serving distinct TOC ecosystems. Alternative suppliers exist in the market; however, no alternative supplier has been identified that can currently deliver using the existing Darwin integrations and aggregator relationships without causing incompatibility and disproportionate technical and operational difficulty or requiring substantial redevelopment, due to their embedded position within each TOC and the TOCs' bus service aggregators.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0774c3
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/088670-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Direct award
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

48 - Software package and information systems

CPV Codes

48100000 - Industry specific software package

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£1,317,600 £1M-£10M
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
18 Sep 20262 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
17 Sep 20262 weeks ago
Contract Period
30 Sep 2026 - 29 Sep 2029 3-4 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Train Information Services Limited
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
EC4V 3DS
Postcode Area
Central London
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI3 Inner London - West
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI35 Westminster and City of London
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
City of London
Electoral Ward
Castle Baynard
Westminster Constituency
Cities of London and Westminster

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

Travelnet Systems Ltd

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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