Keolis Downer to operate the first extension of G:link, the Gold Coast tram network

Keolis Downer, the current operator of the Gold Coast light rail, has been chosen to operate the 7.3 km extension to be launched in 2018. A global leader in light rail operations, in the past 15 years Keolis has launched 17 greenfield urban rail projects around the world.

PARIS, 06-May-2016 — /EuropaWire/ — Keolis Downer has been awarded a contract extension for the operations and maintenance of the first extension (Stage 2) of G:link, the Gold Coast tram network. The 7.3 km extension will feature three new stations, new park & ride facilities and see the addition of four new trams. Major construction is expected to commence in mid-2016 and will be completed by ahead of the Commonwealth Games in April 2018.

G:link is the newest light rail network in Australia and the country’s first greenfield tram project procured under a Public Private Partnership (PPP). The concessionaire GoldLinQ, in which Keolis is a 10% shareholder, will subcontract the operation and maintenance activities to KDR Gold Coast. Bombardier will be responsible for the procurement of additional rolling stock required for the operation of the extended system, and the civil construction of the Stage 2 extension will be undertaken by CPB Contractors.

Stage 1 of G:link opened to commuters in July 2014. More than half a million passenger trips were made in the first month, and approximately 6.5 million passengers travelled on the network in its first year of operations.

The network has recorded excellent performance results, including 99.99% fleet availability (number of trams in service vs the number scheduled) and 97% of services on time (arriving less than 2 minutes after their scheduled time) over a six-month period. Customer satisfaction was at 88.9% in December 2015, with an average of 22,000 passengers per day.

With 14 trams and 16 stations, G:link currently services a 13 kilometer route between the Gold Coast University Hospital and Broadbeach. Stage 2 will extend the line from its current northern terminus at the hospital to Helensvale train station, which services Brisbane.

G:link has led to urban renewal along the light rail corridor and the wider Gold Coast with AU$6 billion worth of development generated by the line. It has also contributed to a 25 percent increase in public transport usage on the Gold Coast, along with the integration of the bus network.

“Keolis is proud to provide support and expertise for this extension project and will work in partnership with the GoldLinQ consortium and the Queensland Government, to ensure it is as successful as the current network. This contract shows the trust we have established with our local stakeholders, and demonstrates our leadership in light rail operations around the world,” said Bénédicte Colin, Keolis Downer’s Chief Executive Officer.

Keolis is one of the world’s leading public transport operators. The company is majority owned (70%) by the French state railway SNCF, the other shareholder being Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ). Present in 16 countries* with 56,000 employees, Keolis develops tailored mobility solutions (automatic metros, tramways, trains, buses, coaches, ferries, self-service bicycles) adapted to local environments. The Group offers solutions and services via its subsidiary, Kisio. It is also the second leading car park operator in France thanks to its subsidiary EFFIA. In 2015, Keolis transported 3 billion passengers and generated 5 billion euros in revenue.

*Originally established in France, Keolis has expanded its operations to Australia, Belgium, Canada, China, Denmark, Germany, India, Middle East, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Sweden, UK and USA.

CONTACT
Ségolène Deeley
International Media and Public Relations Manager
01 71 32 93 52 / 06 14 48 07 18
segolene.deeley@keolis.com
www.keolis.com