Keolis Downer
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.
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Joint venture | |
Industry | Public transport |
Founded | 30 November 2009 |
Headquarters | North Ryde |
Area served | Australia |
Key people | David Franks (CEO) |
Products | Bus & tram operator |
Owner | Keolis (51%) Downer Rail (49%) |
Subsidiaries | G:link Hornibrook Bus Lines LinkSA Newcastle Transport Path Transit SouthLink Yarra Trams |
Website | keolisdowner.com.au |
History
![](../I/m/KDR_Melbourne_Logo.svg.png)
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 commencing on 30 November 2009.[2][3] In September 2017, having substantially met performance criteria, the franchise was extended until 30 November 2024.[4] KDR continues to operate the Melbourne tram network under the Yarra Trams name, that had been used by the previous operator TransdevTSL.[5][6][7]
On 21 July 2014, Keolis Downer commenced 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, Link SA, Path Transit and SouthLink operations with 930 buses.[9]
Keolis Downer trading as Newcastle Transport took over the Newcastle Buses & Ferries operation on 1 July 2017, and commenced operating the Newcastle Light Rail in February 2019.[10][11][12]
Keolis Downer also unsuccessfully bid to operate the Melbourne Metropolitan Bus,[13][14] Sydney Light Rail franchises.[15][16] and Capital Metro light rail.[17]
Operations
- G:link
- Hornibrook Bus Lines
- LinkSA
- Newcastle Transport
- Buses in Newcastle
- Stockton ferry service
- Newcastle Light Rail
- Path Transit
- SouthLink
- Yarra Trams
References
- Melbourne tram and train operators selected Railway Gazette International 25 June 2009
- "Melbourne operators selected" Railway Gazette International August 2009 page 12
- Cooper, Mex (25 June 2009). "New train, tram operators for Melbourne". The Age. Retrieved 25 June 2013.
- Keolis Downer retains contract to operate world's largest tram network Metro Report International 12 September 2017
- New train, tram operators for Melbourne The Age 25 June 2009
- KDR starts as new Yarra Trams operator Archived 18 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine Downer Group 30 November 2009
- Keolis Australia Archived 22 March 2015 at the Wayback Machine Keolis
- The Consortium G:link
- Operator ATE Sold Australasian Bus & Coach 11 March 2015
- Keolis Downer awarded contract to run light rail, buses and ferries says Baird government Newcastle Herald 12 December 2016
- It's a date - free community open day for Newcastle Light Rail on 17 February Transport for NSW 31 January 2019
- Light rail in Newcastle opening from Monday 18 February Transport for NSW 3 February 2019
- Public Transport Victoria announces shortlist for Melbourne metropolitan bus franchise Public Transport Victoria 24 August 2012
- First Group named in Melbourne’s final five Australasian Bus & Coach 27 August 2012
- Tender out to deliver and operate Sydney's Light Rail Network Archived 2014-03-13 at the Wayback Machine Transport New South Wales 7 March 2014
- Three shortlisted for Sydney light rail PPP International Railway Journal 20 February 2014
- Bidders line up for Canberra LRT tender International Railway Journal 24 December 2014