Presented by Robert Clark MP		www.robertclark.net

Three more public transport franchises announced

The Government has announced the awarding of three public transport franchises to transport operator National Express.

National Express has been awarded the franchises for Bayside Trains, Swanston Trams and V/Line Passenger, and has committed itself to over $1 billion of investments in the three businesses.

The Premier, Mr Kennett, said the agreement with National Express would also save an expected $1.1 billion in subsidies over the terms of the three franchises: 15 years for Bayside Trains, 12 years for Swanston Trams and 10 years for V/Line Passenger.

National Express has forecast that, through extra investment, improved customer service and marketing, it will see rises in patronage of 84% on Bayside Trains, 40% on Swanston Trams and 74% on V/Line Passenger.

National Express is one of the world’s largest passenger transportation companies, operating rail, bus, coach and airport businesses in the UK, Europe, USA and Australia.

The company intends to inter into contracts with infrastructure contractors Thiess Clyde Engineering, one of Australia’s leading rolling-stock maintenance suppliers; and AdTranz, an international rolling-stock manufacturer with workshops in Dandenong.

The Premier said that the franchises would fall from $204 million in Government support in 1998-99 to $75 million by 2008-09 and create payments to Government of $18.5 million a year under the Bayside franchise by 2013-14.

National Express will be required to meet the commitments enshrined in the public transport Passengers’ Charter.

The investments to be made as follows:

• $400 million on 62 new three-car trains to replace one third of Bayside Train’s fleet.
• $70 million on refurbishing the remainder of its fleet to modern standards, including air conditioning, improved seating, new information displays, closed-circuit television monitoring in carriages, high-quality interior lighting and on-train passenger alarms.
• $175 million in 59 state-of-the-art low-floor trams for Swanston Trams, improving access for the elderly and disabled.
• $260 million on network improvements, including a $30-million electrification of the railway line between St Albans and Sydenham, installation of electronic passenger information displays at 100 tram stops, improvements to passenger security at metropolitan stations and an extra 135 rail services a week on V/Line Passenger from May next year.
• $158 million on 58 high-speed Diesel Multiple Units for country rail services, coming into service progressively from 2002.
• $7 million for refurbishing trains and stations on V/Line Passenger routes.

An announcement regarding the remaining franchise contract - Hillside Trains - is expected in the next few weeks.

(News Release, Office of the Premier, 25 June, 1999)