Keolis Downer
Company typeJoint venture
IndustryPublic transport
Founded30 November 2009
HeadquartersNorth Ryde
Area served
Australia
Key people
Julien Dehornoy (CEO)
ProductsBus, Train, Tram and Ferry operations
OwnerKeolis (51%)
Downer Rail (49%)
SubsidiariesG:link
Hornibrook Bus Lines
Keolis Downer Northern Beaches
LinkSA
Newcastle Transport
Path Transit
SouthLink
Yarra Trams
Website[1]

Keolis Downer is a joint venture between Keolis, the largest private sector French transport group, and Downer Rail, an Australian railway engineering company, that operates bus and tram services in Australia.

History

Keolis Downer's former logo

In June 2009, the Victorian government awarded to Keolis Downer the franchise to operate the Melbourne tram network in Melbourne, Australia[1] for eight years, starting in November 2009.[2][3] In September 2017, having substantially met performance criteria, the franchise was extended until 30 November 2024.[4] Keolis Downer operates the Melbourne tram network under the Yarra Trams name, which had been used by the previous operator TransdevTSL.[5][6][7]

In July 2014, Keolis Downer began operating the G:link tram operation on the Gold Coast.[7][8] In March 2015, Keolis Downer purchased bus operator Australian Transit Enterprises, which operated the Hornibrook Bus Lines, LinkSA, Path Transit and SouthLink operations with 930 buses.[9]

Keolis Downer, trading as Newcastle Transport took over the Newcastle Buses & Ferries operation in July 2017. It began operating the Newcastle Light Rail in February 2019.[10][11][12]

In January 2021, Keolis Downer began an eight-year contract to operate the Adelaide Metro rail network.[13][14][15]

In October 2021, Keolis Downer Northern Beaches began an eight-year contract to operate Region 8, the Northern Beaches and Lower North Shore, of the Sydney Metropolitan Bus Service Contracts.[16] Keolis Downer has operated on-demand services in the area since November 2017.[17][18]

Operations

New South Wales

Queensland

South Australia

Western Australia

Victoria

References

  1. ^ Melbourne tram and train operators selected[permanent dead link] Railway Gazette International 25 June 2009
  2. ^ "Melbourne operators selected" Railway Gazette International August 2009 page 12
  3. ^ Cooper, Mex (25 June 2009). "New train, tram operators for Melbourne". The Age. Archived from the original on 26 June 2009. Retrieved 25 June 2013.
  4. ^ Keolis Downer retains contract to operate world's largest tram network Archived 12 September 2017 at the Wayback Machine Metro Report International 12 September 2017
  5. ^ New train, tram operators for Melbourne Archived 26 June 2009 at the Wayback Machine The Age 25 June 2009
  6. ^ KDR starts as new Yarra Trams operator Archived 18 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine Downer Group 30 November 2009
  7. ^ a b Keolis Australia Archived 22 March 2015 at the Wayback Machine Keolis
  8. ^ The Consortium Archived 10 April 2015 at the Wayback Machine G:link
  9. ^ Operator ATE Sold Archived 20 January 2018 at the Wayback Machine Australasian Bus & Coach 11 March 2015
  10. ^ Keolis Downer awarded contract to run light rail, buses and ferries says Baird government Archived 20 December 2016 at the Wayback Machine Newcastle Herald 12 December 2016
  11. ^ It's a date - free community open day for Newcastle Light Rail on 17 February Archived 20 May 2019 at the Wayback Machine Transport for NSW 31 January 2019
  12. ^ Light rail in Newcastle opening from Monday 18 February Archived 4 February 2019 at the Wayback Machine Transport for NSW 3 February 2019
  13. ^ Keolis Downer awarded $2.14 billion contract to run Adelaide's passenger train network Archived 18 September 2020 at the Wayback Machine ABC News 18 September 2020
  14. ^ Keolis Downer awarded $2.14bn Adelaide train operations contract Rail Express 18 September 20202
  15. ^ "Adelaide Metro Rail". Keolis Downer. Archived from the original on 16 June 2021. Retrieved 28 May 2021.
  16. ^ "New Bus Operator to Electrify Fleet". Transport for NSW. 28 May 2021. Archived from the original on 28 May 2021. Retrieved 28 May 2021.
  17. ^ "Northern Beaches". Keoride. Archived from the original on 19 March 2020. Retrieved 28 May 2021.
  18. ^ "Keolis Downer partners with TfNSW to deliver innovative transport solutions in Sydney's Northern beaches as the future bus operator". Keolis Downer. 28 May 2021. Archived from the original on 16 June 2021. Retrieved 28 May 2021.
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