Bus Franchising - Dynamic Market for the South West

Procurement reference

Bus Franchising - South West Wales

Procurement description

This notice is intended to inform Bus Operators with interest in running future bus services within the South West of Wales, and to offer guidance around Transport for Wales proposed route to market for the procurement of franchised bus services in support of the Bus Services (Wales) Bill.

Transport for Wales are intending to procure services via a Dynamic Market, with the first region covering services from Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire, Swansea and Neath Port Talbot with some cross border services to neighbouring authorities. The franchising programme will take a regional approach with initial focus within the South West.

Main category

Services

Delivery regions

• UKL1 - West Wales and the Valleys

Total value (estimated)

400000000 GBP Excluding VAT

400000000 GBP Including VAT

Contract dates (estimated)

30 April 2026, 00:00AM to 30 April 2037, 23:59PM

Transport for Wales

Is this procurement under a special regime?

Utilities

Is the total value above threshold?

Above threshold

CPV classifications

• 60112000 - Public road transport services

Delivery regions

• UKL1 - West Wales and the Valleys

Sustainability

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)

Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)

Contract start date (estimated)

30 April 2026, 00:00AM

Contract end date (estimated)

30 April 2037, 23:59PM

Engagement process description

Transport for Wales will be holding a number of in person events across the South West of Wales.

Our intention is to meet with operators interested in running various sizes of franchised bus services within Neath Port Talbot, Swansea, Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire. An event will be held in each of these areas.

The events will be designed to give potential tenderers a better understanding of bus franchising, our route to market via a Dynamic market, the requirements for onboarding, potential route packages for tender at a later stage and our timelines for the process.

It is important to Transport for Wales to engage the market and explain our approach to those wishing to tender, take feedback on our strategy and deliver a network solution for the South West of Wales that works for everyone.

The events will be by invite only so that we ensure we can cater effectively for all interested bidders. If interested, please contact Transport for Wales via supplychain@tfw.wales where we will give you further details on the events and help you to register.

Due date

03 December 2025, 23:59PM

Has the engagement period already ended?

No

Publication date of tender notice (estimated)

30 January 2026