Source: https://tendernation.io/opportunities/01a13bc9-f830-700f-8460-0ba732711751/bus-scheduling-and-depot-allocation-system pending GB open procedure Suitable for SMEs # Bus Scheduling and Depot Allocation System [Translink](https://tendernation.io/buyers/translink) Estimated value £1,000,000 Published 19 Dec 2025 Deadline Rolling deadline ## Who can bid - Buyer says suitable for SMEs The buyer ticked “suitable for SMEs” on the notice. Anyone can still bid. - Open procedure Anyone can submit a full tender; there is no shortlisting stage. [More contracts for small businesses and VCSEs](https://tendernation.io/opportunities/for-small-businesses) ## About this tender Translink are looking to engage with suppliers capable of providing a scheduling and depot allocation system to support bus operations on Ulsterbus and Metro Fleet. The system would be expected to allow Translink operations to efficiently create route diagrams, timetables and duty allocation for the full network in Northern Ireland, and some cross-border services. Translink require the system to interface with wider bus systems, including the control room interface, therefore, a cloud-based, open data architecture is necessary, to ensure that the bus systems can integrate with other client systems, enhancing data flow and ensuring regular operations continue without interruption. The supplier will be required to maintain and support upgrades to the system to ensure Translink are able to take advantage of market developments. Before embarking on a tender process, Translink wishes to engage with the marketplace to gather information which will be used to inform the sourcing strategy for this contract and thus, the procurement process. We are therefore looking to engage with providers that are experienced in scheduling and depot allocation systems, which believe they are capable of fulfilling all requirements below. It is anticipated that this contract will commence in Q1 2027. Our requirements include, but are not limited to the following: - Facilitate bus route development. - Facilitate Timetable and staff rota development. - Provide reporting on bus mileage to allow Translink to reconcile fleet mileage. - Provide a method of storing and managing fleet details. - Support integration with a wide variety of third-party bus systems that are already in place. - Facilitate a bus stop asset database which contains information including, the NaPTAN location code, stop name, locality, and facilities (shelter/pole). - Allow for daily variation outside of the regular timetables and schedules during peak periods. - Flag errors or notifications between the scheduling system and wider bus systems. - Allow for the fleets (Ulsterbus and Metro) to be managed independently of each other, to facilitate their specific requirements. - Support data exports and imports in recognised formats such as TransXChange and CIF files. - Verify that all rotas are compliant with EU regulations relating to driver rest and compensation during allocated duties. - Verify that all duties are accounted for in the driver rotas. - Allow for operational changes, such as driver pay allocations to be manually updated by schedulers. - Include a dedicated analytics package that supports manual and automated performance and management reporting. - Support integration with current, and future bus systems. To advance to the next stage, suppliers must also be able to demonstrate that they have supplied a similar solution to customers with a similar fleet size (c. 1400 vehicles) within the last 3 years. Read full description ## CPV classification Buses and coaches Industry specific software package Source Find a Tender (UK) · Notice ocds-h6vhtk-05f9e1-2025-12-19T09:28:15Z [View official notice](https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/ocds-h6vhtk-05f9e1-2025-12-19T09:28:15Z) Never miss a tender like this again Get AI summaries, deadline alerts and a bid pipeline for tenders matched to your business. Free to start. [Track tenders free](https://tendernation.io/register) [Buyer profile Translink: past awards and live tenders](https://tendernation.io/buyers/translink) [Sector More Transport equipment & vehicles tenders](https://tendernation.io/sectors/transport-equipment-vehicles) ## More tenders like this [Fire engines – Löschfahrzeug mit Bergeausrüstung LF-B · Marktgemeinde Natternbach · 11 days left · 30 Oct 2026](https://tendernation.io/opportunities/01a15183-3f0d-7330-9b63-15c71c296ead/austria-fire-engines-loschfahrzeug-mit-bergeausrustung-lf-b) [Driving simulators – Dostawa i zakup symulatora ciągnika rolniczego, kombajnu zbożowego, ładowarki teleskopowej, wózka jezdniowego (widłowego) oraz samochodu osobowego w jednym urządzeniu – 2 sztuki · Zespół Szkół Centrum Kształcenia Rolniczego Im. Władysława Grabskiego · 35 days left · 23 Nov 2026](https://tendernation.io/opportunities/01a15183-3fb8-726c-b5f9-207c29d0524c/poland-driving-simulators-dostawa-i-zakup-symulatora-ciagnika-rolniczego-ko) [Miscellaneous spare parts – Mercedes Benz transporto priemonių atsarginės dalys · Gynybos Resursų Agentūra Prie Kam · 7 days left · 26 Oct 2026](https://tendernation.io/opportunities/01a15183-2a19-7030-8c6b-4ec58460f4ff/lithuania-miscellaneous-spare-parts-mercedes-benz-transporto-priemoniu-atsar) [Special-purpose motor vehicles – Road-Rail Truck with Rubber Tyres and Rail Wheels · Pääkaupunkiseudun Kaupunkiliikenne Oy · 43 days left · 1 Dec 2026](https://tendernation.io/opportunities/01a15183-14f3-71d6-a448-343d9d1a19a7/finland-special-purpose-motor-vehicles-road-rail-truck-with-rubber-tyres-and) [Motor vehicles for the transport of goods – Timmerbil JGY · Upphandlingskontoret · 30 days left · 17 Nov 2026](https://tendernation.io/opportunities/01a15183-0c3d-711e-a061-282eb71f83ed/sweden-motor-vehicles-for-the-transport-of-goods-timmerbil-jgy) [Control, safety or signalling equipment for roads – Acord cadru de furnizare și punere în funcțiune de echipamente și dotări suplimentare, aferent obiectivului de investiții „Supraînălțare treceri pietoni și intersecții în vecinătatea unităților de învățământ și a zonelor aglomerate · Sector 3 Al Municipiului Bucuresti · 36 days left · 23 Nov 2026](https://tendernation.io/opportunities/01a15183-5cd1-7175-8971-1cd72f0b2a0c/romania-control-safety-or-signalling-equipment-for-roads-acord-cadru-de-fur)