# Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (septa) Septa #Item 26-00295-AXJC

SEPTA market research for real-time passenger information and rail operations systems

**Posted:** October 31, 2026
**Respond By:** November 23, 2026
**Identifier:** Item 26-00295-AXJC
**NAICS:** 541512, 541511

SEPTA is gathering market input on real-time passenger information and related rail operations systems for its L and B subway lines.
- **Government buyer:** Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA), Procurement & Supply Chain Management.
- **Opportunity:** A request for information to explore technologies, integration, delivery models, costs, and schedules; it is for planning and is not a contract award or commitment to procure.
- **Lines in scope:** L (Market-Frankford Line) and B (Broad Street Line). SEPTA is interested in a common approach across both lines where practical, and welcomes phased or interim solutions.
- **Capabilities under consideration:**
  - Vehicle tracking that continuously identifies train locations and tracks, including in tunnels.
  - Computerized dispatching and service management connected to vehicle locations, schedules, and operators.
  - Passenger information providing real-time train locations, station arrival and departure predictions, and disruption information, potentially through signage, audio announcements, and onboard feeds.
- **Important requirements:** Avoid modifying or creating safety-critical dependencies on existing train control and signaling; support GTFS-Static, GTFS-Realtime, secure documented APIs, interoperability and data portability; meet accessibility requirements including ADA and WCAG; and address resilient communications, cybersecurity, hosting, warranties, recurring costs, and implementation approaches.
- **OEMs mentioned as fleet background, not as requested suppliers:** **Kawasaki** (125 B-IV cars), **Adtranz** (220 M-4 cars), and **Hitachi STS** (planned M-5 cars). No OEM product, part number, or vendor is specified for the contemplated system.

### Description

SEPTA is seeking information from qualified firms about technologies, integration approaches, delivery models, and realistic cost and schedule ranges for modernizing ITS capabilities on the L (formerly Market-Frankford Line) and B (formerly Broad Street Line). The modernization is intended to enable passenger-facing real-time service information, including train locations, arrival and departure predictions, and service disruption information. Respondents may address vehicle tracking, dispatching and service management, passenger information systems, or a combination of these layers. This RFI is for market research and planning purposes only and is not a solicitation or commitment to award a contract.

[View original listing](https://wwww.septa.org/procurement/bids/rfi-intelligent-transport-system-its-modernization-for-real-time-passenger-information/)