Through the platform, PTOs buy resources (taxi and bus service) from private companies, and, combined with all the planned trips - generated through different remote online ordering modules used by a number of authorities - optimise the utilisation of that capacity in real time. Because of volume discounts and auctioned prices, the PTOs realise cost-savings compared to if they had purchased these services through more traditional procurement routes. The spot-market seeks to ensure bids aligned with the lowest generalised cost on the basis of unit-prices (EUR per vehicle hour) submitted by operators every year alongside other factors including estimated trip distance and duration, proximity to the customer requesting the service, special needs the customer may have and the quality rating for participating hauliers. The longer-term market is comprised of two- to four-year contracts guaranteeing a minimum availability and quality assurances.