Connex.....DUMPED!

[RG]

Good riddance you fools.

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sto...94-661,00.html

Originally Posted by news.com.au

CONNEX has been dumped as Melbourne's train operator, while Yarra Trams has lost its contract to run the city's trams. In a major shock, both transport operators were dumped with French group Keolis to run Melbourne's trams while Hong Kong's MTR will run trains.

Premier John Brumby announced the decision this morning, and MTR will take over the operation of the train network from December.

"They submitted bids that show they had the experience and expertise to deliver improved train and tram services in Melbourne," Public Transport Minister Lynne Kosky said.

Keolis spokeswoman Maryanne Graham said the company would focus on customers, and punctuatity and reliability.

The Government has said it wants a new Melbourne-themed brand for the train network.

Three groups, Connex and Keolis from France, and MTR from Hong Kong, submitted their bids in April.

Keolis also submitted a bid to run the tram network, but the Government previously said the same company would not be given both contracts.

The tender process was rocked by the leak of confidential Connex documents that were supposed to have been secure.

News that the Connex parent company, Veolia, was interested in buying a stake of the Yarra Trams parent, Transdev, held up the announcement.

The reputation of Connex has suffered a battering, particularly during the summer meltdown and the Oaks Day debacle last year.

But the company has recently turned in its best performance in five years, with just 25 trains cancelled last week.

Next thing to fix up is Vline who have worse stats than Connex could even manage.