​Translink, the public transport operator in Northern Ireland, has issued a Prior Information Notice (PIN) to procure Bus Rapid Transit (Glider) vehicles.

Translink is in the early planning phase for procuring Bus Rapid Transit (Glider) vehicles to expand the current Glider network in Belfast, Northern Ireland. The organization aims to engage with interested Economic Operators to assess their ability to supply low-floor, wheelchair-accessible, zero-emission articulated vehicles. This market engagement is scheduled for Q2 of 2025, with a deadline for expressions of interest set for 3:00 PM on Thursday, 8 May 2025. The purpose of this engagement is to evaluate supplier capabilities, shape the structure of the forthcoming tender, and explore the potential for establishing a Single Supplier Framework. 

Glider is the brand name for Belfast’s Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system, launched in 2018 as an innovative and efficient public transport solution. It has delivered a modern, safe, accessible, and high-quality service that has successfully encouraged a shift from private car use to public transport. Plans are now underway to extend the Glider network with the introduction of new corridors in Belfast. To support this expansion, Translink intends to set up a procurement framework to enable the efficient and cost-effective acquisition of low-floor, wheelchair-accessible, zero-emission articulated BRT vehicles for use in urban areas. This framework will allow for the purchase of new fleet vehicles and, potentially, over time, the replacement of existing hybrid electric Glider buses.