19.10.15
TfGM shortlists four companies for next Metrolink operations contract
Four companies have been shortlisted by Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) to operate and maintain Metrolink from 2017, after the current contract finishes.
KeolisAmey, National Express, Transdev and the incumbent, RATP Dev, were the successful pre-qualifiers for the bid ahead of the tender stage of the procurement process.
The start of the new 10-year contract will coincide with Metrolink’s silver jubilee and the completion of the Second City Crossing, the last portion of the network’s transformational expansion, which has trebled its original size.
And depending on the outcome of a public inquiry, work could also be well underway by then to extend the network westwards to the gigantic Trafford Park industrial estate and Trafford Centre shopping mall.
The successful bidder will therefore benefit from this expansion as well as a more modern, larger fleet of trams and new level of operational resilience.
The winning firm will be expected to deliver high-quality, safe, reliable and customer-focused service alongside supporting the several major events frequently held across Greater Manchester.
TfGM will issue an invitation to negotiate in early 2016 and the contract should be signed in January 2017, after which there will be a six-month mobilisation period ahead of the new contract starting in July.
TfGM’s chief executive, Dr Jon Lamonte, said: “This is a truly exciting time for TfGM and the people of Greater Manchester and we are looking for a partner to work with us and realise the full benefits of the unprecedented growth and investment we are seeing across Metrolink.
“I am in no doubt that this is an excellent opportunity to take over the controls of the largest tram network in the country, an established Greater Manchester icon, and a symbol of Greater Manchester’s ardent ambition and appetite for growth.”