01.11.16
RATP Dev ‘no longer preferred bidder’ for Metrolink
RATP Dev Ltd could lose its contract to operate Manchester’s tram network from next year, according to a new report.
RATP Dev was awarded the 10-year Metrolink contract in 2007. Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) announced last year that it had shortlisted RATP Dev, along with three other companies - KeolisAmey, National Express and Transdev – to operate services from 2017 to 2027.
However, a public Companies House strategic report, published on Friday, said: “The company has submitted a tender and at the current time the company is assessing its options in response to information received from TfGM that it is not the preferred bidder.”
It said it had suffered a pre-tax loss of £3.6m up to December 2015 due to the ‘maintenance element’ of the contract, apparently related to the extensive expansion Metrolink has undergone.
The report said RATP Dev would transfer staff to its other branches if its Manchester services were wound up.
A TfGM spokesperson told Manchester Evening News: “In line with the schedule set out last year, the process of selecting the preferred bidder is nearing completion – but no formal decision has yet been made.
“An official announcement will be made in due course. We will not be commenting further at this time.”
An RATP Dev Ltd spokesperson said: “We can’t comment at this stage for legal reasons.”
A new stop opened at Exchange Square last year as part of the Second City Crossing project, and a stop opened at St Peter’s Square in August. Metrolink has now received planning permission for the £350m Trafford Park extension.
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