Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) today welcomed an extension to the Metrolink Operations and Maintenance contract with KeolisAmey Metrolink Ltd (KAM), which will see the company continue to operate and maintain the UK’s largest tram network from July 2024 until July 2027.
The new contract has an increased emphasis on operational performance together with more planned network improvements, while also committing more frontline staff to tackle fare evasion and antisocial behaviour.
KAM has been the operator and maintainer of Metrolink since July 2017. Several significant milestones have been achieved in partnership with TfGM during this period, including Record high performance levels, which have allowed passenger numbers to recover post-Covid, with passenger numbers expected to exceed pre-pandemic levels this year.
The operated mileage across the network having increased by over 20% which has also seen the Introduction of TravelSafe Officers on Metrolink and enhanced partnership working with Greater Manchester Police and other agencies.
This extension looks to further strengthen the success of the partnership resulting in continued improvements to the customer offering, including an enhanced focus on revenue protection and security across the network.
The extended contract will also be overseen by Damien Chabas, who was appointed by KAM as its new Managing Director in August 2023.
Danny Vaughan, TfGM’s Head of Metrolink, said: “Since coming on board with us KeolisAmey Metrolink have become an invaluable partner to TfGM.
“Together we have shown that we are committed to enhancing the Metrolink service for the benefit of our customers, whether that’s investing in the network or delivering excellent levels of reliability and punctuality.
“There is still a lot of exciting work for us to do to deliver the best possible experience for our customers, and I am delighted that KAM will continue to be a part of this journey for the foreseeable future.”
Alistair Gordon, CEO Keolis UK, Middle East and India, said: “We are delighted to have agreed the extension contract to operate and maintain Metrolink services for another three years. The team at KeolisAmey Metrolink has worked with our partner TfGM to put the customer at the heart of our shared continuous improvement approach. KeolisAmey is committed to delivering a high-performance network that continues to add value to the communities of Greater Manchester.
“We now look forward to building on the many successes of Metrolink over the past seven years and are ready to deliver on the clear objectives set by TfGM for further improvements during the extension period.”
