Four bidders shortlisted for Metrolink

FOUR organisations, including current operator French firm RATP Dev, have been shortlisted to run the Metrolink tram system in Manchester for 10 years from 2017.

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) said four companies,  KeolisAmey, National Express, Transdev and RATP Dev, had successfully pre-qualified to bid for the new contract and will now move through to the tender stage of the procurement process.

TfGM said that as well as operating and maintaining the network, the successful bidder will be expected to deliver a high quality, safe, reliable and customer-focused service and support the many major events that are held frequently across Greater Manchester.

The new 10-year contract comes at an exciting time: 2017 marks Metrolink’s silver jubilee and will welcome the completion of the Second City Crossing (2CC), the final piece of the multi-million pound expansion project that has trebled the size of the original network.

Subject to the outcome of a public inquiry, work could also be well underway to further extend the network to Trafford Park.

An invitation to negotiate will be issued in early 2016 and the contract is expected to be signed in January 2017. There will be a six-month mobilisation period with the new contract commencing in July 2017.

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. “