Purpose

Lincolnshire County Council requires the continued operation, maintenance and support of its existing Real Time Passenger Information (RTPI) system.
The contract is being awarded via Framework Y22030 – Bus Shelters, Real Time Passenger Information (RTPI) and Associated Services, Lot 2. The framework permits direct award where a customer can demonstrate continuity of existing services and where, following due diligence, the supplier is considered to offer the most advantageous solution and best value for the requirement.
R2P is the incumbent supplier and currently provides the Council's RTPI platform, including management of operator data feeds, the Data Brokerage System, Traffic Light Priority (TLP) services, VIX and Traveline integrations and support for existing RTPI infrastructure across the county. The proposed contract is for the continued operation of an established system already implemented and accepted by Lincolnshire County Council
The RTPI service forms part of Lincolnshire County Council's operational public transport and traffic management infrastructure. The specification requires continued integration with multiple bus operators, BODS, Traveline, VIX, the Council's Urban Traffic Management Control system and approximately 40 existing Traffic Light Priority sites. The implementation date is critical to maintain the existing Traffic Light Priority functionality and ensure continuity of public-facing passenger information services.

The Council has undertaken due diligence and determined that a direct award to R2P represents the best value solution. In the past 5 years, R2P have met every target in the contract and have delivered their work to an exceptionally high standard whilst continually developing their software platform to LCC’s advantage at no additional cost.
A change of supplier would require migration of an existing operational system, reconfiguration and testing of multiple interfaces and data feeds, additional project and implementation resources, staff familiarisation and training, and would introduce unnecessary operational and service continuity risks. The cost to undertake such a mobilisation would add between £15,000-£20,000 to the whole of life contract cost.
The contract is awarded for an initial period from 25 July 2026 to 24 July 2027 at an estimated value of £76,394.40 including VAT. The contract includes an option to extend for a further period of up to 12 months, resulting in an estimated contract value of £152,788.80 including VAT, excluding any future indexation permitted under the contract.

Decision

To award a call-off contract under Framework Y22030 – Bus Shelters, Real Time Passenger Information (RTPI) and Associated Services (Lot 2) to R2P UK Ltd for the continued operation, maintenance and support of Lincolnshire County Council's RTPI system.
The contract will commence on 25 July 2026 for an initial term of 12 months, with extension options as permitted within the contract.
The total contract value is an estimated £152,788.80 including VAT
To request the decision to enter and sign the contract on behalf of LCC is delegated to Mike Reed Head of Transport Services

Alternative options considered

A further competition under Framework Y22030 was considered. This option was rejected because the requirement is for the continued operation and support of an existing RTPI system. A change of supplier would require system migration, implementation activity, re-establishment of data feeds and interfaces, testing of Traffic Light Priority functionality and could result in service disruption. The additional costs and risks associated with supplier transition were not considered proportionate to the requirement.