Technical Advisory Services for the Definition and Structuring of the Fare Collection System

SELECTION OF CONSULTING FIRMS BY THE WORLD BANK GROUP REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (EOI) Electronic Submissions through WBGeProcure RFx Now ASSIGNMENT OVERVIEW Assignment Title: Technical Advisory Services for the Definition and Structuring of the Fare Collection System Assignment Countries: Colombia ASSIGNMENT DESCRIPTION The World Bank is seeking Expressions of Interest from qualified consulting firms to support the Bank's advice and recommendations to Empresa Metro de Bogotá S.A. (EMB) in defining, structuring, and preparing for the implementation and operation of the fare collection system for Bogotá Metro Line 1 (L1MB). The assignment aims to identify and develop a feasible service delivery and contracting model that meets the requirements for the commencement of Metro operations, while facilitating the future integration of the Metro fare collection system with Bogotá’s broader public transport and mobility ecosystem. The selected consulting firm will provide specialized technical, operational, commercial, and contractual advisory services. The work will include reviewing relevant international experience, assessing existing technical and functional definitions, evaluating proposals received through EMB’s market study, comparing alternative service delivery and contracting arrangements, and reviewing, complementing, and developing the technical documentation required for implementation, systems integration, testing, and commissioning. Particular attention will be given to the implementation schedule, the allocation of responsibilities among the different stakeholders, the interfaces between fare collection equipment and central systems, and the interoperability requirements associated with Bogotá’s Sistema Interoperable de Recaudo (SIR). Background Bogotá and its metropolitan region have approximately 9.3 million inhabitants and generate around 14.6 million daily trips. Public transport plays a central role in the mobility system, and the city is undertaking a major transformation involving the introduction of new rail services and the integration of existing and emerging mobility solutions. Bogotá Metro Line 1 is a strategic infrastructure project expected to commence operations in 2028. The line is expected to serve approximately 800,000 passengers per day at the beginning of operations, increasing to around 1.05 million passengers by 2033. Its integration with the TransMilenio system and other mobility services will be essential to ensuring a connected and efficient public transport network. Under Concession Contract No. 163 of 2019, the Metro concessionaire is responsible for designing, supplying, installing, and integrating station access control infrastructure, including fare gates and their interfaces with other railway systems. However, the provision of a complete fare collection service requires additional components and functions beyond this infrastructure, including payment media management, ticket sales and top-up services, transaction processing and authorization, back-office systems, financial settlement and reconciliation, customer service, and integration with the existing public transport fare collection environment. Consequently, EMB needs to define an appropriate model for the provision, operation, and integration of these additional services and components, establishing clear responsibilities and interfaces among the Metro concessionaire, the fare collection service provider, transport authorities, payment service providers, and other relevant stakeholders. In parallel, District Decree 168 of 2023 established Bogotá’s Sistema Interoperable de Recaudo (SIR), which provides the institutional, technical, technological, commercial, and financial framework for integrating different public transport systems and related mobility services. The fare collection solution for Metro Line 1 should therefore meet the requirements for the initial operation of the line while remaining consistent with the city’s broader interoperability objectives and future system evolution. Against this background, EMB requires specialized technical assistance to evaluate alternative service delivery and contracting arrangements, assess the proposals received through its market study, and prepare the technical requirements and supporting documentation needed to implement the selected solution within the available timeframe FUNDING SOURCE The World Bank Group intends to finance the assignment / services described below under the following: BB: Bank Budget TF0D2479: KWBP ELIGIBILITY Eligibility restrictions apply: [Please type list of restrictions] SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS The World Bank Group invites eligible firms to indicate their interest in providing the services. Interested firms must provide information indicating that they are qualified to perform the services (brochures, description of similar assignments, experience in similar conditions, availability of appropriate skills among staff, etc. for firms