The Department for Transport (DfT) has retained KPMG to support the Bus Open Data Service while laying the ground for a new deal to come into force by 2025.
It has published an award notice for a £13.5 million contract with the company and a prior information notice for the future contract that could be worth up to £24 million.
The Bus Open Data Service, launched in 2020, involves standardising and openly publishing real time data from bus operators in England to enable developers to create passenger information services.
The new contract with incumbent KPMG applies until March 2025 and, according to the award notice, has been awarded without competition after preparations for its replacement were delayed by the Covid-19 pandemic. It cites technical reasons and additional deliveries by the supplier as reasons for the lack of competition.
The notice for the future contract states that it is expected the provision of accurate ad open data will help passengers plan their journeys, find best value tickets and get real time service updates.
