Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has launched a landmark tender for the Bee Network bus and Metrolink shelters, as part of wider plans to improve and modernise the waiting experience for passengers and deliver significant advertising opportunities across shelters and interchanges.
The collective tendering of advertising rights across multiple modes of transport by a single authority is the first of its kind in the UK, offering an unparalleled commercial opportunity in the fastest growing city region in the country.
The estimated value of the contract is £399m and is expected to run for 15 years, supporting the aspirations of further improvements to bus and tram services.
It includes exclusive advertising rights across bus shelters and interchanges and Metrolink platforms to help maximise non-fare revenue which will be reinvested into the Bee Network; opportunities to select advertising locations for digital screens and printed formats; and scope for experiential, pop-up and branded activations to support immersive campaigns.
As part of its commitment to transforming public transport through the continuous improvement and development of the Bee Network, TfGM has acquired all bus shelters across Greater Manchester which were previously owned by third parties.
The shelter estate comprises around 4,500 bus shelters, in addition to the 99 Metrolink stops already owned by TfGM. Every day almost 480,000 journeys are taken by bus and a further 130,000 taken by tram, and with the shelter estate spanning high-traffic urban and suburban locations, brands will be placed at the heart of Greater Manchester’s most impactful journeys.
TfGM is seeking a single supplier to deliver a turnkey service, including the replacement, refurbishment, maintenance, cleaning and newly designed shelters and modernising the existing advertising inventory, to provide high-quality public transport infrastructure. This will provide passenger with a well-lit,clean, accessible, and safe waiting environment, supported by comprehensive travel information.
Interested parties can access the full tender documentation and asset schedules via the Find a Tender service and TfGM’s procurement portal. Market engagement sessions are scheduled, and suppliers are encouraged to register interest promptly.
(Pic: TfGM)
