Melbourne, June 26, 2009 – The Brumby Government is promising more staff on stations, fewer cancelled trains and improved punctuality. The changes come as a new consortium has been appointed to manage and operate Melbourne’s train system for the next eight years.

Hong Kong’s metro operator will be taking over the consortium position previously occupied by the French-owned operator Connex. Victoria’s privitised tram and train network operations are also bound to see improvement by the end of the year. The French controlled-consortium runnig Yarra Trams will be replaced by another French firm, Keolis.

Premier John Brumby is confident that commuters would get a better service from new rail operator Metro Trains Melbourne — comprising Hong Kong’s MTR, John Holland and the United Group — and Keolis Downer EDI, which have been tasked to run the rails. “They are operators who have a proven track record of excellence, they are committed to putting the needs of Melbourne’s train and tram customers first,” explains Brumby.

The Government has also promised to improve customer service announcements – including sending out information about late and cancelled trains. Plans are in the works for reopening and re-staffing closed rail stations.

The new train system operators also plan on introducing the myki ticket system later this year. “We will do everything we can to make myki as successful as possible,” said Metro Trains Melbourne chief Andrew Lezala.

The new consortiums will begin running the trains and trams on December 1. The trains will be rebranded, but the name may stay on as Yarra Trams.

Source:
theage.com.au