Transport for London (TfL) have revealed the shortlist of companies bidding for the new Docklands Light Railway (DLR) franchise which is due to commence from 15th September 2014. Included in the firms bidding are the current incumbent Serco along with the Stagecoach Rail Projects Ltd, a joint venture between Keolis (UK) Ltd and Amey Rail Ltd and a joint venture between Go Ahead PLC and Colas Rail Ltd.
The shortlist has been drawn up as a result of the pre qualification process undertaken after the publication of a notice in the Official Journal of the European Union. The next stage will see TfL issuing an Invitation to Tender to these companies within the next few weeks.
TfL wants to ensure that as part of the new franchise:
* Service reliability continues to improve
* Trains, stations and track are maintained to support service reliability and are used efficiently long term
* Capacity on the railway continues to grow to support development in the Docklands area and along the railway’s routes
* Customer satisfaction continues to increase
* The environmental impact of the railway is reduced
* Safety performance continues to improve
* A good, value for money service is delivered for passengers and tax-payers
Rory O’Neill, DLR Acting Director, said: “’We are pleased to further consider the bids from these companies which have passed the first stage of the rigorous process in issuing a new franchise. The DLR is already a highly successful railway but we are not complacent and wish to ensure that the service offered to Londoners continues to improve.”
The current franchise expires on 14th September 2014 having been extended from March 2014 to allow exclusive focus on delivering services for the 2012 London Olympic Games.