---
title: "Rail Replacement Service - Bus and Coach Operators"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-0773c0"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-0773c0"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0773c0.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0773c0.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Planning"
buyer: "Transport for Wales Rail Limited (Utility Buyer)"
published: "2026-09-21"
---

# Rail Replacement Service - Bus and Coach Operators

Buyer: Transport for Wales Rail Limited (Utility Buyer)  
Current stage: Planning  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-0773c0

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## Summary

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.

## Notice

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

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/089069-2026 |
| 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 |
| All stages | Planning |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 21 Sep 2026 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | 29 Sep 2026 |
| Award date | Not specified |
| Contract period | 4 Dec 2026 - 24 Aug 2034 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £71,576,858 |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Planning |
| Lots status | Planning |
| Awards status | Not specified |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | Transport for Wales Rail Limited (Utility Buyer) |
| Additional buyers | Transport for Wales |
| Locality | PONTYPRIDD |
| Postcode area | Cardiff |
| Postcode | CF37 4TH |
| Country | Wales |
| ITL 1 | TLL Wales |
| ITL 2 | TLL5 South East Wales |
| ITL 3 | TLL51 Central Valleys and Bridgend |
| Local authority | Rhondda Cynon Taf |
| Electoral ward | Pontypridd Town |
| Westminster constituency | Pontypridd |
| 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 |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 60 - Transport services (excl. Waste transport)

### Codes

- 60100000 - Road transport services

## Release History

- 21 Sep 2026 at 11:54 - PlanningUpdate - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/089069-2026
- 16 Sep 2026 at 15:54 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/087908-2026

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/089069-2026
  21st September 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/087908-2026
  16th September 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- http://www.tfwrail.wales
- https://tfw.wales/
- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents

## Provenance

This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-0773c0. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0773c0.json.