Business · Companies · 7 hrs ago
Renfe splits bus tender into 14 lots to widen competition
Renfe has relaunched its tender for bus services after Spain’s procurement tribunal halted an earlier version in July.
The new tender is split into 14 lots instead of one nationwide contract, and uses an open procedure.
Renfe needs buses to replace trains when rail services are disrupted or affected by planned infrastructure works.
The revised requirements are intended to let medium-sized bus companies compete, rather than limiting the tender to the sector’s largest firms.
Two lots cover planned works and last eight years, while 12 regional lots for unplanned services last four years; the planned-service lots would be run with a private partner.
Renfe spent €94 million on alternative transport in 2025, up from €7 million in 2020, and 26 of 77 bus-service tenders published in 2024 and 2025 received no bids.
The revised conditions have been approved, and Renfe has relaunched the tender; the sources give no further timetable for awarding the contracts.
Renfe has approved a new bus tender divided into 14 lots after its earlier plan to choose one partner was blocked over concerns about competition.
The lots are intended to provide buses for replacement transport when rail services are disrupted by incidents or planned works.
Two lots cover planned services, while 12 territorial lots cover urgent or unplanned services.
The revised requirements lower the fleet and financial barriers that had limited the earlier tender, aiming to allow smaller companies to compete.
For the planned services, Renfe Viajeros will hold 49% of the company and the selected private partner 51%.
- Who
- Renfe, through Renfe Viajeros, is seeking bus operators for replacement transport services.
- What
- It has approved a tender divided into 14 lots, replacing an earlier plan to select one partner.
- When
- The board approved the plan on Tuesday, 27 October 2026.
- Where
- Across Spain.
- Why
- To ensure buses are available when rail services are disrupted by incidents or planned infrastructure works.
Renfe
Road transport associations Anetra, Fenadismer and Direbus
Tender design
Renfe
Renfe’s earlier plan sought one partner for a nationwide bus company.
Road transport associations Anetra, Fenadismer and Direbus
The associations challenged the tender conditions, which the article says the administrative tribunal stopped over competition concerns.
Revised tender
Renfe
Renfe has divided the tender into 14 lots and eased some requirements.
Road transport associations Anetra, Fenadismer and Direbus
The associations viewed the reformulation of the tender conditions as a victory.
Renfe’s spending on alternative transport was €7 million.
Renfe published 77 bus-service tenders, of which 26 received no bids.
The administrative tribunal stopped Renfe’s earlier proposal amid concerns about competition.
Renfe’s board approved a new tender divided into 14 lots.
- Number of lots
- 14: two for planned services and 12 for unplanned services
- Planned-service duration
- Eight years, with no extension
- Unplanned-service duration
- Four years, with no extension
- Planned-service ownership
- Renfe Viajeros 49%; private partner 51%
- Alternative transport spending
- €7 million in 2020; €94 million in 2025