What is Public Transport Supplier Management (PTSM)?
Being responsible for contracted Public Transport means managing a complex whole: multiple PTOs, different modes, and a large number of requirements – technical, environmental, operational, and legal. When both Scheduled public transport and Demand-responsive transport (DRT) are included, the complexity increases further.
As a Public Transport Authority (PTA), you need not only to design good Contracts – but also to follow them up continuously and in a structured way. Each PTO is linked to one or more Contracts, and each Contract relies on:
- Using the right vehicles
- Delivering the service according to plan
- Ensuring agreed quality
Three building blocks make up the total operation:
- Suppliers (PTO): Which PTOs operate the service
- Relationships (Contracts): Which agreements regulate the delivery
- Vehicles: Which vehicles are used in service
A structured way of working for a complex everyday reality
PTSM – Public Transport Supplier Management – is a way to manage these three parts systematically. It covers the entire contract lifecycle – from establishment to close-out – and creates a common foundation for:
- Collaboration
- Follow-up
- Improvement
– both within the authority and together with the PTOs.
Examples of follow-up areas in Contracts
It is in the ongoing cooperation between the authority and the PTOs that the real delivery is shaped.
Vehicle Requirements
Age, environmental class, accessibility, livery/marking, safety
Establishment and Service Start
Delivery checks, documentation, equipment, timelines
Traffic
Driven kilometers, punctuality, canceled service, traffic incidents
Environment and Energy
Fuel reporting, CO₂ emissions, energy consumption
Follow-up Processes
Dialogue meetings, quality checks, incident reporting
Information Management
Statistics, vehicle data, reporting
Incentives and Sanctions
Key metrics, bonus and penalty models, target fulfilment
Digital support for PTSM
To succeed with PTSM in practice, more than good intentions are required. It takes:
- The right way of working
- Clear roles
- Digital tools that support the entire process
FRIDA from Nordic Port is built precisely for this. With support for all parts of PTSM – from contract structure and supplier data to vehicle checks and key metrics – FRIDA gives both the authority and the operator a shared foundation to stand on.
Shared view and coordinated follow-up
In FRIDA, PTAs and PTOs largely share the same information – in real time.
This enables:
- Transparency in deliveries and compliance
- Proactive handling of deviations and trends
- Coordinated follow-up, documentation, and feedback
The system support includes, among other things:
- Dialogue functions around checks, reported information, and improvement proposals
- Automatic reminders for Periodic vehicle technical inspection (PTI), certificates, and documentation
- Shared forms for requirement follow-up and reconciliation
Because both parties see the same data, the risk of misunderstandings is reduced – and the opportunity for constructive collaboration increases. Together, we make Public Transport better for everyone.
