Merchant Acquirer, Payment Gateway, Equipment and Open Banking Service Agreement

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) is inviting suppliers of Merchant Acquirer services that enable Merchants to process contactless bank card pay-as-you go transactions in accordance with bank card scheme Transit rules, alongside the other, more typical forms of bank card payment acceptance.

At this early stage, TfGM is seeking to gain a greater understanding of the range of Merchant Acquiring and Payment Gateway services available, and any recent or expected innovation and development that should be considered in relation to TfGM’s requirements for bankcard transaction processing generally. Since TfGM’s Ticketing Schemes are likely to extend across all potential transport and associated modes including (but not limited to) Light Rail, Bus, Heavy Rail, Active Travel, understanding experience and potential innovation in these areas is welcome.

Potential Merchant Acquiring services (including the Payment Gateway) will work in conjunction with an assortment of field equipment devices such as (platform validators, electronic ticketing machines, revenue inspection devices and other bank card reading devices) as well as Middle and Back Office services, Retail Engine and other capabilities that have either been sourced (from external third parties) or developed by TfGM.

Suppliers are also invited to provide indicative timescales for service implementation as well as any transitional dependencies. Since TfGM already operates a highly successful contactless bankcard transaction processing scheme, supplier consideration of the arrangements to successfully transition from existing to new services will be key.