Presented by Robert Clark MP		www.robertclark.net

Franchise announced for Yarra Trams

MetroLink, a consortium of private-sector transport operators including Transfield, Transdev and Egis Projects, has been awarded a 12-year franchise to operate Yarra Trams.

MetroLink is to spend $150 million on new and upgraded trams, improving services, enhancing passenger facilities and tram stops across greater Melbourne.

The Premier, Mr Kennett, said that, under the contract, existing services would be safeguarded, fares would not be permitted to increase above the rate of inflation and there would be pre-determined targets for patronage growth, punctuality and service reliability.

Heritage W Class trams will be kept in operation, the popular City Circle service will remain free of charge for all passengers and Metcard tickets will continue to be valid for travel on trams, trains and buses.

"The agreement reached between the Government and MetroLink is expected to save approximately $290 million over the term of the franchise," Mr Kennett said.

The annual subsidy paid to MetroLink will be $38.6 million in the first year of operation and is expected to reduce to zero before the end of the 12-year agreement.

The Minister for Transport, Robin Cooper, said that, under the agreement, MetroLink’s investment plans are aimed at delivering an increase in tram patronage in excess of the Government’s own target of 50% growth over the next 15 years.

As part of the contract MetroLink will have the opportunity to earn additional incentive payments if it exceeds pre-determined service delivery targets.

MetroLink’s plans include:

• Investing $100 million in 31 new, state-of-the-art low-floor trams, to begin operations in September 2001, greatly improving passenger comfort and accessibility for all passengers.
• Modernising and improving Yarra’s existing 147-strong fleet to provide the highest modern standards of passenger comfort.
• Investing $20 million in improved passenger facilities, including the refurbishment of at least 200 tram stops around the city, many of which will include passenger information displays.
• Extending the Mont Albert tram service (route 109) to Box Hill by June 2002.
• Improving service frequency so that a tram runs every ten minutes on each Yarra route during the day, from Monday to Friday.
• Reducing average journey times and progressively improving the punctuality and reliability of tram services, beating existing performance targets and continuously improving services in each year of the franchise.

These commitments, along with those already contained in the Passenger Charter will be locked into binding contracts between MetroLink and the Government.

This is the first of five franchise contracts that are to be awarded to private-sector transport operators. Announcements on the other four franchises — Swanston Trams, Bayside Trains, Hillside Trains and V/Line Passenger — will be made in the next few weeks.

Yarra Trams runs services on 10 routes in central Melbourne, reaching out to the city’s north eastern, eastern and southern suburbs.

MetroLink will formally take over the services at the end of August.

(News Release, Office of the Premier of Victoria, June 18, 1999)