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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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\u2019s largest tramway, Yarra Trams in Melbourne, Australia.<\/p>\n
The key features of the contract include:<\/p>\n
* The creation of more than 300 jobs including drivers, apprenticeships and traineeships, and a commitment to upskill, enhance training and qualifications for staff.<\/p>\n
* A major focus on improving operational reliability, and customer service and security with an increased staff presence on the network \u2013 particularly in the evening and at weekends.<\/p>\n
* A commitment to source a minimum of 40% of supplier contracts within 25 miles of Greater Manchestr, and customer and community engagement, including \u201cMeet the Manager\u201d and \u201cTweet the Manager\u201d sessions<\/p>\n
Cllr Andrew Fender, Chair of the TfGM Committee, said: \u201cThis 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\u2019s expansion in recent years. The future looks very positive indeed.\u201d<\/p>\n
Alistair Gordon, chief executive of Keolis UK, commented: \u201cMetrolink has made a huge contribution to Greater Manchester\u2019s economic growth and its ongoing success will be a major factor in meeting the city region\u2019s 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\u2019re 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\u2019s travelling public.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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 … Continue reading