Keolis Downer awarded Newcastle Transport contract

Keolis Downer today welcomed the NSW Government’s announcement that it had been awarded a 10 year contract with Transport for NSW to operate a new, integrated public transport system for the city of Newcastle.

Newcastle Transport will integrate network planning with the local operation and maintenance of the city’s buses, ferries, future light rail and interchanges.

The Chief Executive Officer of Keolis Downer, Campbell Mason, said an integrated transport solution across Newcastle will deliver better services for customers and will play an important role in the revitalisation of the city.

“A better public transport system benefits everyone. It will allow locals and visitors to get around more easily, connect people to local businesses, take cars off the road, create jobs and make Newcastle an even greater place to live and work.

“Newcastle is undergoing a major transformation. The investment in light rail will breathe new life into the CBD and a more reliable and efficient public transport system will create a network that is attractive to new users.

“We have been working closely with the Newcastle community for some time, and we will continue to do so as we design a network that locals want.

“All operational staff will be offered continuation of employment with our newly formed company, Keolis Downer Hunter Pty Ltd, on current terms and conditions. We are very much looking forward to working with the team to deliver a world class service in Newcastle.

“It’s important that we get this right because the decisions we make now will drive the success of local businesses, tourism and the character of the city,” Mr Mason said.

Keolis Downer offers a New Way for the people of Newcastle to travel. The New Way will be delivered by a locally based team and provide customers with an intuitive choice of services that give people more opportunity to live and travel the way they want.

Keolis Downer is Australia’s largest private provider of multi-modal public transport services, providing over 210 million passenger trips each year. It is the largest light rail operator in Australia, operating and maintaining Yarra Trams in Melbourne and G: Link on the Gold Coast. Keolis Downer is also one of Australia’s most significant bus operators with operations in Western Australia, South Australia and Queensland.

Our operations combine world leading expertise and deep local knowledge combining the experience of world leading public transport operator Keolis and one of Australia and New Zealand’s leading engineering and infrastructure management firms, Downer.

Today’s announcement builds on Downer’s proud history in the Hunter. Over four decades, Downer has been one of the region’s largest employers with over 2,000 staff in various sites including Cardiff, Kooragang Island, Port Waratah, Hexham, Teralba and Mt Thorley.

About Keolis Downer

Keolis Downer is Australia’s largest private provider of multi-modal public transport. We are the largest light rail operator in Australia and one of the nation’s most significant bus operators. Keolis Downer provides services to more than 210 million people each year.