Rail replacement services open framework
Estimated Value
Up to £0
Deadline
Not specified
Published
3 June 2026
Type
Services
Overview
Transport for Wales Rail has launched a new Rail Replacement Service Open Framework, contracting directly with bus and coach operators for emergency and pre-planned services across Wales and cross-border routes. The framework is expected to run for up to 8 years, covering around 21,000 duties per year, with opportunities available through: Emergency services, Pre-planned services, Mini-competitions.
Eligibility & compliance
Suppliers must register on the Atamis portal and submit a bid by 12:00 on 10 June 2026.
AI Analysis
Powered by AI — always verify against official documents
Transport for Wales Rail is setting up a long-term agreement (framework) to hire bus and coach operators to run replacement services when trains aren't running. This covers both unexpected emergencies and planned maintenance shutdowns across Wales and some cross-border routes. The framework will last up to 8 years and needs to cover around 21,000 bus trips per year.
Requirements
- Must be a bus or coach operator
- Must register on the Atamis portal (Transport for Wales's procurement system)
- Must submit bid by 12:00 on 10 June 2026
- No specific qualifications, certifications, or insurance details mentioned in this notice — check the full tender documents on Atamis for detailed requirements (likely to include PSV operator licence, insurance, safety compliance)
Key Tasks & Deliverables
- Operate emergency replacement bus services when train services fail or are disrupted
- Operate pre-planned replacement bus services during scheduled rail maintenance and closures
- Deliver approximately 21,000 bus duties annually across Wales and cross-border routes
- Participate in mini-competitions when Transport for Wales needs specific services (competitive bidding against other framework members)
- Maintain service reliability and compliance throughout the 8-year framework period
How to Read This Tender
- 1This is an 'open framework' — not a single fixed contract. You're joining a panel of approved operators, then Transport for Wales picks and pays you when they need services. Read carefully how payments work and whether you're guaranteed minimum work.
- 2The Atamis portal is where everything happens — your registration, bid submission, and future mini-competition invitations. Check Atamis now and understand their system before the deadline.
- 3The 'mini-competitions' part is crucial: once you're on the framework, you'll compete against other operators each time Transport for Wales needs services. This means you're not guaranteed all 21,000 duties — you have to win work repeatedly.
- 4Look for the evaluation criteria in the full tender documents — find out whether they score on price alone, or also on factors like local employment, service quality, and sustainability (called 'social value').
- 5This runs 8 years but check what happens at contract milestones — some frameworks have break points or performance reviews that could remove poor performers.
Tips for Small Businesses
- If you're a smaller operator, consider joining a consortium with another bus company to bid together — this spreads risk and lets you share the workload if you win multiple mini-competitions.
- Transport for Wales and Welsh Government often score social value highly (jobs, apprenticeships, local recruitment, community benefits) — highlight any local employment or training commitments in your bid to improve your score.
- Don't assume 21,000 duties means guaranteed income — these are competed mini-contracts. Budget conservatively and plan how you'll cover standby capacity for emergency calls without going broke during quiet periods.
Before you bid, buyers check
two years of filed accountsyour financial standingturnover vs contract valueyour Companies House recordcash flow for 30-day termscredit scores and ratios
Actions
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How to Apply
Step-by-step submission guide
Submission Portal
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Submit before the deadline
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Key Dates
Published
3 June 2026
Submission deadline
Not specified
Notice type
Framework
Source
council:cardiff-council
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