New operator lands deal to run Metrolink

IT'S A DEAL . . . Metrolink's new management team (from the left): Steve Warrener, TfGM's Director of Finance & Corporate Services; Alistair Gordon, Chief Executive Officer, Keolis UK; Dr Jon Lamonte, TfGM Chief Executive; Lee Jones, Sector Director Rail, Amey.

A NEW operator will run Greater Manchester's Metrolink network from summer.

KeolisAmey, a joint venture partnership of UK public transport operator Keolis and infrastructure asset management specialist Amey, will take over the reins when contracts with RATP Dev and MPT end in July.

The appointment follows a competitive process led by Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) involving three other shortlisted bidders and has been ratified by Greater Manchester's Combined Authority leaders.

The new contract, signed this week, will start in July and run for up to 10 years.

It comes as 2017 marks Metrolink's silver jubilee and will see the completion of the Second City Crossing (2CC), a crucial piece in a transformational expansion that has already trebled the size of the original network, making it the largest of its kind in the country.

KeolisAmey will inherit a fleet of 120 modern trams that offer free Wi-Fi to passengers, and the Trafford Park Line extension - which is now under construction and expected to be operational by 2020-21.

KeolisAmey is a partnership between two international transport and infrastructure management specialists. TfGM says it has the experience and skills to operate Metrolink, create jobs, and support the growth of the local economy.

Together, the partnership successfully operates London's Docklands Light Railway (DLR), which caters for more than 117 million journeys a year and has a performance and dependability record that is among the best in mainland UK with approximately 99 per cent of trains departing on schedule.

Keolis is also the operator of Nottingham's NET (Nottingham Express Transit) tram network, which has achieved the highest passenger satisfaction rating of all light rail networks in the country (98 per cent), and runs the world's largest tramway, Yarra Trams in Melbourne, Australia.

In partnership with the Go-Ahead Group, Keolis already runs 35 per cent of Govia Thameslink Railway, whose passengers have faced days of disruption on the Southern Rail network amid a long-running strike over the role of conductors and the operation of driver-only trains.

Key features of the contract include:

l The creation of more than 300 jobs including drivers, apprenticeships and traineeships, and a commitment to upskill, enhance training and qualifications for staff.

l A major focus on improving operational reliability, and customer service and security with an increased staff presence on the network - particularly in the evening and at weekends.

l A commitment to source a minimum of 40 per cent of supplier contracts within 25 miles of Greater Manchester, and customer and community engagemen.

Tony Lloyd, Greater Manchester Mayor, said: "It is vital our transport infrastructure connects and supports the new homes and jobs we need, helps the local economy flourish and ensures residents can contribute to and benefit from our shared prosperity - and that is precisely what this new contract seeks."