Manchester Metrolink will have a new operator from the summer following the news that KeolisAmey will take over the contract from RATP Dev in July. The decision has been taken to change operators after a competitive process led by TfGM involving three other shortlisted bidders.
KeolisAmey is a joint venture partnership of UK transport operator, Keolis, and infrastructure asset management specialist, Amey, and they will take control from July once the contracts with RATP Dev and MPT end in July 2017. The new contracts have now been signed and will run for up to ten years.
Together the KeolisAmey partnership operates the Docklands Light Railway and on their own Keolis are also the operator of Nottingham Express Transit as well as the world’s largest tramway, Yarra Trams in Melbourne, Australia.
The key features of the contract include:
* The creation of more than 300 jobs including drivers, apprenticeships and traineeships, and a commitment to upskill, enhance training and qualifications for staff.
* 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.
* A commitment to source a minimum of 40% of supplier contracts within 25 miles of Greater Manchestr, and customer and community engagement, including “Meet the Manager” and “Tweet the Manager” sessions
Cllr Andrew Fender, Chair of the TfGM Committee, said: “This appointment firmly reinforces our commitment to delivering the very best for passengers, and to realising the full potential and benefits of the unprecedented growth and investment we are overseeing in the network. After investing so heavily in transforming the infrastructure, this was always going to be a pivotal appointment without compromise. What we have here is a long-term, affordable commitment to providing a world-class service. In reaching this decision, I would like to pay tribute to the operational staff who have played a crucial part in managing a period of great change with the delivery of the network’s expansion in recent years. The future looks very positive indeed.”
Alistair Gordon, chief executive of Keolis UK, commented: “Metrolink has made a huge contribution to Greater Manchester’s economic growth and its ongoing success will be a major factor in meeting the city region’s ambitions. KeolisAmey represents a proven combination of operational and technical excellence, which has succeeded in raising the already very high standards of punctuality and customer service on the DLR. We’re confident that we can bring the same success to Metrolink, delivering the highest levels of performance and customer satisfaction for the benefit of Greater Manchester’s travelling public.”
So passes from one French government owned company to another.
Its a bit of a kick in the teeth for RATP.After all, they have had all the problems of opening all the new extentions on time.RATP would have put in a realistic bid knowing what it cost to run the system and try and make a bit of profit.I could be wrong but i assume Keolis put in a lower bid,although historically nobody has won the bid more than once.
If Keolis/Amey Metrolink is split the same as Docklands, then Keolis is 70% of the new operator, SNCF own 70% of Keolis, so the French will only own 49%.
The other 30% of Keolis is owned by Canadian pension fund.
While Amey share of Keolis/Amey Metrolink is 30% Amey is part of Ferrovial whose shares are listed on the Spanish IBEX35 Stock Exchange, so it’s not all french.
MPT rather than RATP deserves the praise for completing the various phase 3 extensions on time, and completing 2CC to a high standard.
At the end of the day, be it GMML, Serco, Stagecoach or RATP, it’s their staff who deserves the praise in the operations, particularly when new extension come on line or recovery from major incidents.
Perhaps showing naivety on my part but long term the speed and size of the operation as part of devolved Transport for Greater Manchester & era of elected Mayors and serious devolution on the cards should they not look to bring it all in house. TFGM as the Operator & Owner. Ploughing profits straight back into it.
I am not sure that TfGM are actually allowed to do that as private sector involvement was a condition of the original set-up. May be though that once the whole devolution transition settles down it would be something that is explored.
As for the ploughing back of profits, that is just what happens as TfGM take all the revenue (and all the revenue risk). Contrary to what might be the popular view the operators have’t actually been making much profit out of the operating contract. For the year to December 2015 RATP Metrolink made a pre-tax loss of around £3.6m. The previous accounting year saw a pretax profit of around £600k which isn’t very much on a £40m turnover. The big reversal was due to maintenance commitments apparently. The source is the company accounts filed at Companies House.
It seems like Blackpool could end up being the only light rail system being run by the British.Your right Fred its the staff who deserves praise. As you say it was MPT who actually built all the extensions RATP have had to put up with all the disruptions,shutdowns and single line workings,plus recruit and train all the extra drivers,inspectors and technicians.
Three have Scottish registered operators, so will remain British as long as Scotland does!