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- Downer EDI’s (DOW) joint venture, Keolis Downer, has secured a $900 million contract to operate bus services on Sydney’s Northern Beaches and the lower North Shore
- Keolis operates public transport services around Australia, with an on-demand transport service, Keoride, in NSW as well as 1000 buses operating in the state
- The new contract will involve the company working closely with Transport for NSW over the next eight years, starting on October 31, 2021
- Keolis is focused on implementing innovative headway technology to increase the reliability of services, while also providing more sustainable transport options with a planned introduction of 125 electric buses
- Downer Edi shares are trading 1.97 per cent higher at $5.70
Downer EDI’s (DOW) joint venture, Keolis Downer has secured a $900 million contract to operate bus services on Sydney’s Northern Beaches and the lower North Shore.
Keolis Downer is an operator of public transport services in Australia and since 2017 has offered an on demand transport service, Keoride, in NSW as well as operating 1000 buses in the state.
Now, the company has been awarded a contract to work closely with Transport for NSW, over the next eight years, starting on October 31 2021.
Keolis said its focus is on delivering a range of initiatives that will enhance the journey experience for customers across all aspects of the service.
In particular, Keolis aims to increase the reliability of services by introducing “innovative headway” technology.
CEO David Franks said of new technology: “We will introduce new service technology to enable staff to actively manage routes and monitor bus running times, improving the frequency of bus services.”
Further to this, the company is focused on introducing more sustainable transport options, and will do so by dispatching 125 electric buses from newly electrified depots in Brookvale and Mona Vale.
Franks also said the company was excited to continue operating Keoride which will become a permanent part of the network.
Keolis has 4,900 employees across its Australian services and said the company’s first priority of this new contract was ensuring a smooth transition of all the employees.
Downer Edi shares are trading 1.97 per cent higher at $5.70 at 3:50pm AEST.
