Scope
Description
Glider is the brand name for the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system which came into operation in 2018 with an innovative mode of travel for Belfast which resulted in significant increases in patronage levels. The introduction of Glider provided a modern, safe, accessible, efficient and high quality public transport service which has encouraged more people to travel by public transport instead of the private car. Glider has helped to support sustainable economic growth and regeneration, and has helped to integrate communities though linking people to jobs, shops, leisure, health and educational services.
There are plans to extend the existing Glider service and introduce new corridors into operation in Belfast. To facilitate the expansion of the Glider network, Translink are intending to establish a framework aimed at delivering a cost effective and agile means to purchase low floor, wheelchair accessible, zero emission, Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) articulated vehicles for use on urban operations in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Translink would use this framework to purchase the additional fleet and potentially, in time, replace the existing hybrid electric BRT vehicles. The duration of the framework has not been confirmed but it is anticipated it will be a Single Supplier Framework.
There are a number of key principles underpinning the characteristics of a BRT system such as the Glider:
• a strong brand image that delivers a clear identity for the system
• high quality in all aspects of the system, including the fixed infrastructure, vehicles, operations and customer services
• high standards of reliability with punctual service operation and predictable journey times
• integration with other modes of sustainable transport
• high quality environment for passengers in terms of space, security and on-board information
To that end Translink wishes to invite suitably interested Economic Operators to present their current and future capability and capacity in these areas in Belfast in Quarter 2 2025.
The objectives of this exercise are to:
- understand the views from the Economic Operators that will or may be interested in this procurement opportunity,
- understand the capabilities of Economic Operators to meet Translink's requirements, and
- provide interested Economic Operators with an opportunity to inform the tender structure and the duration of any awarded Framework Agreement
Translink reserve the right to request further information from respondents in order to short list interested Economic Operators.
Interested Economic Operators should reply in writing to David Lowry at david.lowry@translink.co.uk by 3pm on Thursday 08 May 2025.
Commercial tool
Establishes a framework
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 February 2026 to 31 January 2031
- 5 years
Main procurement category
Goods
CPV classifications
- 34121000 - Buses and coaches
- 34121100 - Public-service buses
Engagement
Engagement deadline
8 May 2025
Engagement process description
Translink wishes to invite suitably interested Economic Operators to present their current and future capability and capacity in these areas in Belfast in Quarter 2 2025.
The objectives of this exercise are to:
- understand the views from the Economic Operators that will or may be interested in this procurement opportunity,
- understand the capabilities of Economic Operators to meet Translink's requirements, and
- provide interested Economic Operators with an opportunity to inform the tender structure and the duration of any awarded Framework Agreement
Translink reserve the right to request further information from respondents in order to short list interested Economic Operators.
Interested Economic Operators should reply in writing to David Lowry at david.lowry@translink.co.uk by 3pm on Thursday 08 May 2025.
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Suppliers registering their interest in participating in this exercise should note that:.
1. This Notice is to initiate a market engagement and information gathering exercise and does not indicate the start of a procurement exercise. It is instead intended to act as an informal market research document providing a brief synopsis of Translink's future requirements. This document is not intended to provide a definitive list of requirements..
2. We intend to invite interested suppliers to present to a range of Translink personnel and discuss Bus Rapid Transit (Glider) Vehicles.
3. This document is not a tender specification nor request for quotation. Translink is merely investigating market opportunities at this stage without entering into any contractual or financial commitments..
4. Please note, progress in the project will be subject to the availability and timing of funding. If this requirement is given financial approval, it will be tendered under the Procurement Act 2023. Any documents, discussions, presentations, demonstrations, or clarifications submitted for this Market Research will not be considered as any part of the tender exercise. If Translink does decide to proceed with a competitive tender process, a separate detailed tender specification document will be produced as part of that process..
5. Nothing in this advertisement or any other documents or information provided by Translink or any of its advisers or agents is to be construed as implying a commitment by Translink to place any Contract, now or in the future with any participating supplier in respect of the requirement under consideration..
6. Translink takes no responsibility for any actions or decisions taken, costs incurred, or commitments made by interested parties in responding to this notice or by being involved in any subsequent discussions in this market engagement and information gathering exercise..
7. At this stage it is not possible to give an accurate timeframe for this requirement..
Procedure
Special regime
Utilities
Contracting authority
Translink
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PTMT-7134-NRMV
22 Great Victoria Street
Belfast
BT2 7LX
United Kingdom
Email: michael.kerr@translink.co.uk
Region: UKN06 - Belfast
Organisation type: Public undertaking (commercial organisation subject to public authority oversight)
Devolved regulations that apply: Northern Ireland