Northern et al seeking new ticketing supplier (to replace Fujitsu STAR)

[Edvid]

Their existing supplier is withdrawing from the UK rail ticketing market, so Northern has issued a tender notice for a replacement.

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

More details on the Find a Tender portal:

Ticket Retailing & Validation Solutions - Find a Tender

www.find-tender.service.gov.uk

 

[P Binnersley]

The tender doesn't seem to include self-service ticket machines. Are these from a different supplier?

 

[stadler]

Their existing supplier is withdrawing from the UK rail ticketing market, so Northern has issued a tender notice for a replacement.



More details on the Find a Tender portal:

Ticket Retailing & Validation Solutions - Find a Tender

www.find-tender.service.gov.uk

The tender doesn't seem to include self-service ticket machines. Are these from a different supplier?

I am guessing this is just for their ticket office machines and onboard guard machines. I forget which supplier that Northern currently use but it is probably either Worldline or TTK or Fujitsu as they are the three main ones. For their TVMs they use Wayfarer/Parkeon/Flowbird (whatever name they are going by nowadays) and i doubt they have withdrawn from the UK railway market.

 

[alistairlees]

I am guessing this is just for their ticket office machines and onboard guard machines. I forget which supplier that Northern currently use but it is probably either Worldline or TTK or Fujitsu as they are the three main ones.

Fujitsu

For their TVMs they use Wayfarer/Parkeon/Flowbird (whatever name they are going by nowadays) and i doubt they have withdrawn from the UK railway market.

Arrive

 

[Wallsendmag]

as above It’ll be Worldline or TTK most likely

 

[stadler]

Fujitsu

Arrive

Thank you. I forgot that they are called Arrive now. They seem to change their name almost every year. They have gone from Wayfarer to Parkeon to Flowbird to Arrive in such a short period.

as above It’ll be Worldline or TTK most likely

PICO4UK might be another possibility. AWC and C2C both use them. Although both TTK and Worldline are far more widespread.

So if Fujitsu are withdrawing from the UK market then i presume other TOCs will also be replacing them? What other TOCs are still using them? I recall it was mainly the Arriva and ex Arriva operators?

 

[Trainbike46]

First opportunity for the theorised Trainsplit TIS?

 

[Bungle965]

PICO4UK might be another possibility. AWC and C2C both use them. Although both TTK and Worldline are far more widespread.

They only use them as both of their (or what was!) owners were Trenitalia, various sources have said that they're very expensive also as a TIS supplier.
Realistically as @Wallsendmag said, it'll be between Worldline and TTK with an outside possibility of Vix.

 

[Wallsendmag]

They only use them as both of their (or what was!) owners were Trenitalia, various sources have said that they're very expensive also as a TIS supplier.
Realistically as @Wallsendmag said, it'll be between Worldline and TTK with an outside possibility of Vix.

Being a customer of both the main accredited suppliers I think northern may struggle to even get a choice

 

[CyrusWuff]

Arriva have followed suit today with a joint tender for Chiltern and CrossCountry. Estimated contract start of 1st May 2026.

 

[stadler]

Arriva have followed suit today with a joint tender for Chiltern and CrossCountry. Estimated contract start of 1st May 2026.

I am surprised that Grand Central is not included too. They are also owned by Arriva and i thought they used Fujitsu as well. It would surely be better value to do all three at once.

 

[pokemonsuper9]

I am surprised that Grand Central is not included too. They are also owned by Arriva and i thought they used Fujitsu as well. It would surely be better value to do all three at once.

But Grand Central as a private company don't have to deal with the tender process, they can just go straight to the company they want.
They'll be a reason they're separate, are Open Access operators usually included on tenders like this combined with DfT contracted operators?

 

[Wallsendmag]

I would expect several other TOCs to follow soon.

 

[Haywain]

I am surprised that Grand Central is not included too. They are also owned by Arriva and i thought they used Fujitsu as well. It would surely be better value to do all three at once.

Grand Central also have no requirement for a ticket office TIS.

 

[CyrusWuff]

I am surprised that Grand Central is not included too. They are also owned by Arriva and i thought they used Fujitsu as well. It would surely be better value to do all three at once.

From a financial point of view it would absolutely make sense for GC to be included, as they'll need a fraction of the number of machines that Chiltern and CrossCountry do so are highly unlikely to hit any price breaks that may apply.

Contractually it would likely be a nightmare given Chiltern and XC will be subsumed into GBR and are subject to Procurement Act rules, where GC (as an Open Access Operator) aren't.

 

[Gwr12345]

Grand Central also have no requirement for a ticket office TIS.

They operate the ticket office at Eaglescliffe though? Do they use Northern's systems perhaps?

 

[BurtonM]

It's Fujitsu STAR that needs replacing - guards' equipment, and desktop ticketing systems inside ticket office windows.
TVMs aren't included in this.
As described, Fujitsu have decided to withdraw from the market and aren't offering any support - STAR got end-of-lifed instead, hence the Northern tender.

Customer stories – Northern Trains Limited

Commuting made fuss-free through mobile applications

global.fujitsu

This was posted just two years ago.

 

[WAB]

Being a customer of both the main accredited suppliers I think northern may struggle to even get a choice

With such a large number of TOCs going to the market at once, the suppliers are in a very strong position.

 

[Wallsendmag]

With such a large number of TOCs going to the market at once, the suppliers are in a very strong position.

You would think so but their bid teams are somewhat overwhelmed. If ever TOC had the same requirements it would be much easier. We took the broader view and extended our incumbents instead of going to tender again and more than likely ending up with the suppliers we already have.

 

[Solent&Wessex]

You would think so but their bid teams are somewhat overwhelmed. If ever TOC had the same requirements it would be much easier. We took the broader view and extended our incumbents instead of going to tender again and more than likely ending up with the suppliers we already have.

It won't just be the bid teams overwhelmed.

The Northern contract especially is a massive undertaking with a lot to do and deliver in a relatively short timescale. The teams responsible for delivering the end result, both in the supplier and the TOC itself, will be under a lot of pressure with the timescales quoted.

 

[kkong]

So if Fujitsu are withdrawing from the UK market then i presume other TOCs will also be replacing them? What other TOCs are still using them?

I believe ScotRail are using Fujitsu. They published a "market engagement" for a replacement "retail solution" on 1st July 2025.

https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=JUL533622

ScotRail are conducting market engagement to understand the capabilities of potential suppliers to provide RSP accredited ticket office and mobile retail and validation solutions. We are seeking to modernise our offering, including the potential to integrate with a centralised back office providing a seamless customer experience across channels. The roll-out will be across the geography of Scotland covering the ScotRail locations including Ticket Offices, Stations and Offices.

Other documents recently published on the ScotRail tenders page mention:

Procurement of a new WebTIS booking engine and mobile app (estimated to go-live in 2026)

 

[Fawkes Cat]

It won't just be the bid teams overwhelmed.

The Northern contract especially is a massive undertaking with a lot to do and deliver in a relatively short timescale. The teams responsible for delivering the end result, both in the supplier and the TOC itself, will be under a lot of pressure with the timescales quoted.

To speculate for a moment, is a likely outcome going to be that the Fujitsu-using TOCs end up paying extra for Fujitsu to maintain support of the existing systems for a little longer until everyone/most companies have transitioned to suppliers who are staying in the market?

 

[LowLevel]

I know EMR will be tendering for their booking office kit. Mobile system isn't affected as it's Worldline MTIS (Envoy).

 

[OscarH]

it'll be between Worldline and TTK

What a depressing corner to end up in

 

[Haywain]

What a depressing corner to end up in

Why do you say that?

 

[Wallsendmag]

It won't just be the bid teams overwhelmed.

The Northern contract especially is a massive undertaking with a lot to do and deliver in a relatively short timescale. The teams responsible for delivering the end result, both in the supplier and the TOC itself, will be under a lot of pressure with the timescales quoted.

I have vast experience of both the likely systems and am sure I could be available to assist a DfTO TOC,

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 11 Dec 2025 ==

I know EMR will be tendering for their booking office kit. Mobile system isn't affected as it's Worldline MTIS (Envoy).

I believe EMR are already contracting with a new supplier

 

[OscarH]

Why do you say that?

The number of unexplained tod print failures I've seen with one of them, combined with the interesting failure modes seen in their other products. And the other one I can't really comment specifics but I would describe it as a top to bottom disaster from a technical perspective

 

[MrJeeves]

Worldline was awarded the contract in March.

https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/020129-2026

Award

Ticket Retailing & Validation Solutions
NORTHERN TRAINS LIMITED
UK6: Contract award notice - Procurement Act 2023 - view information about notice types
Notice identifier: 2026/S 000-020129
Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-059648 (view related notices)
Published 5 March 2026, 4:54pm

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

WORLDLINE IT SERVICES UK LIMITED

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 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

THE TICKET KEEPER LTD
VIX TECHNOLOGY UK LIMITED

Procedure Procedure
Procedure type

Open procedure
Special regime

Utilities
Suppliers 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 Contracting authority
NORTHERN TRAINS LIMITED

Companies House: 03076444
Public Procurement Organisation Number: PZCJ-2164-HJQZ

George Stephenson House

York

YO1 6JT

United Kingdom

Email: procurement@northernrailway.co.uk

Region: UKE21 - York

Organisation type: Public authority - central government

Vix bid alongside the suggested Worldline and TTK.

 

[Wallsendmag]

Worldline was awarded the contract in March.

https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/020129-2026

Vix bid alongside the suggested Worldline and TTK.

That's a surprise couldn't see that coming

 

[Barnsley]

That's a surprise couldn't see that coming

Is Worldline the system that LNER use where there is not option for issuing on CCST? If so, I will use a TPE booking office where they have that option!