Barcode Ticketing for London - Market Sounding Questionnaire (MSQ)

Transport for London (TfL) is undertaking Preliminary Market Engagement (PME) relating to the future delivery of Barcode Ticketing across the TfL network. This engagement aims to gather insight on market capability, delivery approaches, commercial considerations, contracting models, and technical feasibility to help inform TfL's future strategy.

TfL is now progressing the Preliminary Market Engagement (PME) for Barcode Ticketing. This notice follows the initial PME notice published on 23 January 2026 and the Supplier Briefing Event held on 4 February 2026.

TfL will now be issuing the Market Sounding Questionnaire (MSQ), which will be available by email request. The MSQ contains no confidential content and is intended to gather supplier insight to inform TfL's early planning. It also provides further information on the MSQ process.

In addition, TfL has prepared several technical appendices which contain operationally sensitive information (including architecture options, volumetrics, high level requirements, service model information and relevant ticketing specifications). These appendices will only be shared once a supplier has signed TfL's Confidentiality Agreement / NDA.

This PME exercise is voluntary, non binding and does not form part of any formal procurement process. All engagement will be conducted in line with the principles of transparency, fairness, equal treatment and proportionality under the Procurement Act 2023.

1.Introduction

This Market Sounding Questionnaire (MSQ) is issued by Transport for London (TfL) and seeks to obtain market feedback to inform TfL's thinking regarding a potential future procurement for Barcode Ticketing in London. Its primary focus is to better understand market interest, capacity and capability, and gather market feedback on risks and opportunities associated with the potential procurement of Barcode Ticketing in London.

There is a shared ambition across TfL and the wider rail industry to move more passengers to digital ticketing in all its forms, to deliver strategic, operational and customer benefits - while ensuring that the retail experience remains inclusive and accessible for those who rely on paper tickets or cash. To enable delivery of these benefits, TfL is seeking to deliver a ticketing solution for the acceptance of barcode tickets in London.

Barcode ticketing has been rolled out nationally on rail, further accelerating the adoption of digital retailing and acceptance. TfL's proposed expansion of barcode ticketing in London aligns with the broader rail industry led reform of fares, ticketing and retail - making fares easier to understand, ticketing simpler, and delivering improvements to passenger experience now, ahead of a more unified railway under Great British Railways.

2. Feedback Request

Feedback is requested in relation to the questions in the MSQ. Your feedback is important as it will allow views from the market to inform the development and finalisation of the procurement strategy. TfL would greatly appreciate your feedback in the form of a response to the instructions mentioned in the MSQ document.

The feedback we receive will be reviewed, analysed and taken into account in understanding the market appetite, and subsequent possible procurement activity for Barcode Ticketing in London for TfL.

All responses will be treated confidentially. Summary analysis, including general themes and findings may be used as part of participant and market engagement. All responses are provided on a non‑binding basis and will not be used for selection or exclusion at this point.

This exercise does not form part of any formal procurement process. All responses will be carefully considered but will not bind TfL to any particular approach to the procurement, nor will responses be treated as conveying any promise or commitment on the part of the respondent. This engagement will be conducted in line with the principles of equal treatment, non‑discrimination and proportionality under the Procurement Act 2023.

3.Proposals for Consideration and Feedback

Additional information is available in the appendices to the MSQ. A supplier must describe their capacity and capability to provide Barcode Ticketing in London and any similar products they may have manufactured/supplied previously to customers.

Additional information in relation to barcode ticketing, acceptance and retailing would also be beneficial to TfL. The supplier can recommend alternatives to the solutions that are already available on the market, but this must comply with the specification required.