The Docklands Light Railway will be operated by a new franchisee from December 2014 following the announced that Keolis Amey Docklands have been awarded the contract. Serco Docklands – who were one of the final three in the frame for the contract – have run the DLR successfully since 1997 but it seems that Transport for London have managed to come to a better deal with Keolis Amey Docklands to continue provide a high quality service.
Keolis Amey Docklands will now operate and maintain the full DLR network from 7th December 2014 until April 2021, with an option for an extension until 2023 if certain criteria are met. The focus for the new franchise will be to maintain the high performance (train punctuality is regularly over 99%) in the context of delivering more services to meet growing demand in east London. The contract is valued in excess of £700 million.
Mike Brown, TfL’s Managing Director of London Underground and Rail, said: “The DLR is a rail network that continues to support regeneration across a huge area of London and the economic growth of the city as a whole. Its connectivity with the rest of the transport network, and its potential to connect jobs and unlock opportunities, is also set to increase further when we start to operate the Crossrail services that will interchange with it in a few years’ time. “The decision to appoint Keolis Amey Docklands was reached after a thorough and competitive procurement process, which will ensure the DLR continues to deliver an ever-improving high quality, value for money service for Londoners well into the future. I would also like to thank Serco for their support since 1997 in helping make the DLR the success story it is today.”
As well as Keolis Amey Docklands and Serco Docklands there were two other bidders for the franchise: Go-Ahead/Colas and Stagecoach although the former of these withdrew from the process before a decision was made. Serco will remain as the franchise holder until December after the contract was extended.
I know its just big business,but I feel a bit of da ja vue here.Serco ran Metrolink pretty successfully and put in a realistic tender,but still lost the contract to Stagecoach who said they could run it cheaper.There seems to be no continuity nowadays.
There are many who would dispute that Serco Metrolink was a successful operation!