Scope
Description
Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (LCRCA) has made significant steps with our Smart Ticketing strategy over the past 5 years and we are well on the way to delivering the Mayor's vision for the London-style integrated transport network that our region deserves.
A tap-and-go model is central to this approach, transforming the way people pay for and use public transport through Smart Ticketing to deliver a fully integrated, multi-modal, multi -operator and multi- token 'Tap and Go' fare capping system - ultimately aimed at growing the use of public transport across all modes.
LCRCA are ready to procure a solution which can accept and process cEMV and ITSO transactions from the LCRCA estate across all modes and can construct single and multi-modal journeys, in addition to capping fares in line with LCRCA requirements. The solution is to enable the delivery of "tap and go" payment systems for both cEMV media and ITSO card holders on bus, ferry and rail by September 2027.
LCRCA are looking for a supplier to integrate with the existing LCRCA ticketing ecosystem and to work alongside the combined authority to deliver its ambitious transport plans; this strategy will upgrade and streamline the tap and go experience for customers across the region.
This requirement should be of particular interest to companies with a proven track record of working collaboratively with other suppliers to successfully deliver medium to large scale public transport ABT solutions.
Total value (estimated)
- £5,000,000 excluding VAT
- £6,000,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 October 2026 to 30 September 2031
- Possible extension to 30 September 2033
- 7 years
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 48000000 - Software package and information systems
- 71311200 - Transport systems consultancy services
Contract locations
- UKD7 - Merseyside
Engagement
Engagement deadline
19 January 2026
Engagement process description
LCRCA will be hosting an on-site, two-and-a-half-hour supplier engagement session for interested suppliers at 1 Mann Island, Liverpool, L3 1BP, United Kingdom, between 12:00 and 14:30 on Thursday 22nd January 2026, limited to two attendees per company. We will deliver a presentation for around 60 minutes, with the remaining session time available for interested suppliers to ask questions.
Interested suppliers should confirm their attendance to the supplier engagement session to Jenni.Kirkham@liverpoolcityregion-ca.gov.uk, manjinder.griffiths@liverpoolcityregion-ca.gov.uk and Tender@liverpoolcityregion-ca.gov.uk; by no later than 10am on Monday 19th January 2026; following which they will be sent an invitation to the supplier engagement session.
A Q&A sheet capturing the discussion and the presentation slides will be subsequently shared as part of the tender documentation for suppliers unable to attend the session.
Participation
Particular suitability
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
Submission
Publication date of tender notice (estimated)
23 March 2026
Contracting authority
Liverpool City Region Combined Authority
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PNDZ-8253-CJJM
1 Mann Island
Liverpool
L3 1BP
United Kingdom
Region: UKD72 - Liverpool
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government