Telecommunications equipment and supplies

Tender description

Merseytravel is considering its options for the provision of train and passenger connectivity for its new fleet of passenger trains which will enter service on the Merseyrail Electrics network in late 2019. The Train Connectivity & Information Systems (‘TCIS’) contractor will be responsible for the design, installation and support of a communications network and for the provision of the necessary telecommunications service to provide connectivity between on-board monitoring and train performance and maintenance systems, passenger information and location services and CCTV systems and shore-based equipment, as well as to provide passengers with mobile phone connectivity. This includes any infrastructure enhancements to facilitate train to shore connectivity. The Merseyrail Electrics network includes 6 underground stations covering 6.5 route miles. The total Merseyrail Electrics network comprises 75 route miles serving 67 stations and carries 34 million passenger journeys a year. Merseytravel (‘Merseytravel’) has entered into a contract for the design, build, testing, commissioning and supply of a fleet of new third rail (750 volt DC) rolling stock (‘New Fleet’) for operation on the Merseyrail Electrics network in Merseyside, Cheshire and West Lancashire, United Kingdom. The supplier of the New Fleet is the Swiss based rolling stock manufacturer, Stadler Rail (‘Stadler’). Merseytravel has also entered into a long term rolling stock maintenance contract with Stadler UK Rail Services Limited, a Stadler group company, for the maintenance for the New Fleet from the point of delivery to the Merseyrail Electrics network in the UK. The Merseyrail Electrics network is an urban metro style passenger rail system, comprising the Northern Line and the Wirral Line, which operates as a unit separated from the City Line and the rest of the UK rail system by virtue of its electrification by the third rail DC system. It provides good penetration into Liverpool city centre through the core loop and link underground system, and interconnects with the Merseyrail City Line and national rail services through Liverpool Lime Street station. The Merseyrail Electrics network comprises 66 stations (but serves 67 stations with Chester being outside Merseytravel's region) along 75 route miles of network, 6.5 miles of which is in the central core. The central core operates underground across 6 stations. The Merseyrail Electrics network carries over 34 million passenger journeys each year. The Merseyrail Electrics network is currently operated by Merseyrail Electrics 2002 Limited — a joint venture between Serco and Abellio (‘Merseyrail Electrics’). The New Fleet will consist of 52 4-car articulated electric multiple units being designed and built by Stadler which will be suitable for operation on the Merseyrail Electrics network and which will comply with the specific physical, mechanical and environmental characteristics and restrictions of the Merseyrail Electrics network. Further relevant details of the specification for the New Fleet will be provided to potential suppliers who progress beyond the pre-qualification stage of the procurement process. Merseytravel is considering its options for provision of train and passenger connectivity for the New Fleet. Merseytravel is seeking to award a Train Connectivity & Information Systems (‘TCIS’) contract for the design, installation and support of a communications network and for the provision of the necessary telecommunications service to provide the connectivity between on-board monitoring and train performance and maintenance systems, on-board passenger information and location services, on-board CCTV and passenger communications systems and shore-based equipment whether that is installed alongside the running line, in tunnels, at stations, at the maintenance depots on the Merseyrail Electrics network and in the network's control centre currently located at Sandhills as well as to provide passengers and train crew with consistent, useable mobile phone connectivity within the New Fleet. This includes any infrastructure enhancements which would be necessary to facilitate the required train to shore connectivity. The successful bidder will be responsible for interfacing with existing stakeholders including Stadler, Merseyrail Electrics and Network Rail in relation to the installation and maintenance of equipment and ongoing support in relation to the TCIS.