Scope
Description
Northern Trains Limited has a requirement to replace its existing Ticket Retailing & Validation solution by December 2026 due to the incumbent supplier's withdrawal from the UK rail ticketing market.
Northern are therefore looking to engage the supply market to understand the solutions available.
Northern Trains Limited Invitation to Tender is for the provision of a technology solution that satisfies two main outcomes for Northern:
•Suitable replacement of the on-train and ticket office solution to maintain and safeguard ticket retailing and validation provision
•Deliver on NTL's dependency into the PAYG programme for EMV
A successfully delivered solution must meet 11 significant requirements:
1)Complete Ticket Issuing System (TIS) for All Devices
2)Architecture Description of All Components
3)Full Range of Retailing Options Available Day One
4)RDG Accreditation and Compliance
5)Adherence to Project Delivery Timelines
6)Customer Payment Type Acceptance
7)Support for ITSO PAYG Smartcards
8)TfGM cEMV PAYG Capability
9)Customer Travel Options and Fare Types
10)End-of-Shift Accounting Functionality
11)Ticket Inspection and Validation Functionality
Contract 1. Ticket Retailing & Validation Solutions
Supplier
Contract value
- £29,167,795 excluding VAT
- £35,001,354 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Award decision date
5 March 2026
Date assessment summaries were sent to tenderers
5 March 2026
Standstill period
- End: 16 March 2026
- 8 working days
Earliest date the contract will be signed
1 April 2026
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2032
- Possible extension to 31 March 2037
- 11 years
Description of possible extension:
The minimum term is six (6) years, with the option to extend for a further five (5) years, split into a three (3) year option followed by a two (2) year option, up to a total maximum duration of eleven (11) years.
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 30123100 - Ticket-validation machines
- 30144200 - Ticket-issuing machines
- 50316000 - Maintenance and repair of ticket-issuing machinery
- 50317000 - Maintenance and repair of ticket-validation machinery
Contract locations
- UK - United Kingdom
Information about tenders
- 3 tenders received
- 3 tenders assessed in the final stage:
- 2 submitted by small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- 0 submitted by voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
- 1 supplier awarded contracts
- 2 suppliers unsuccessful (details included for contracts over £5 million)
Unsuccessful suppliers
Procedure
Procedure type
Open procedure
Special regime
Utilities
Suppliers
THE TICKET KEEPER LTD
- Companies House: 08779935
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PNTX-1435-XLCN
Orchard Hey Rye Lane
Sevenoaks
TN14 5JF
United Kingdom
Website: http://www.theticketkeeper.com
Region: UKJ46 - West Kent
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): Yes
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
VIX TECHNOLOGY UK LIMITED
- Companies House: 03039051
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PMJL-5169-MRDN
Ridgecourt The Ridge
Surrey
KT18 7EP
United Kingdom
Website: http://www.vixtechnology.com
Region: UKJ26 - East Surrey
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): Yes
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
WORLDLINE IT SERVICES UK LIMITED
- Companies House: 08514184
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PZDC-4647-GCGJ
Beeston Business Park, 1 Technology Drive
Nottingham
NG9 1LA
United Kingdom
Email: WLopportunities@worldline.com
Website: https://worldline.com/en-gb/home
Region: UKF16 - South Nottinghamshire
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): No
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Supported employment provider: No
Public service mutual: No
Contract 1. Ticket Retailing & Validation Solutions
Contracting authority
NORTHERN TRAINS LIMITED
- Companies House: 03076444
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PZCJ-2164-HJQZ
George Stephenson House
York
YO1 6JT
United Kingdom
Region: UKE21 - York
Organisation type: Public authority - central government