Private funding for CBD Metro to drive ‘greater efficiencies’

NSW Transport Minister David Campbell announced two shortlisted consortiums to operate Sydney Metro stage one on October 1st – Kujika (comprising Keolis, Downer EDI, Thales Australia, Bovis Lend Lease and McConnell Dowell Constructors) and Met One (comprising Serco Australia, Bombardier, Laing O’Rourke and Hastings Management).
While the Government has the capacity to fully fund Sydney Metro stage one, Campbell said that private funding will have the ability to “drive greater efficiencies and better customer outcomes”.
Kujika and Met One were reportedly asked to tender on a construction and operations contract later this month, before making detailed proposals in March.
The contract, to be awarded in late 2010, comprises safety, management and operating systems; provision of metro trains and control systems; track, stabling and maintenance facilities; mechanical and electrical systems; control, monitoring, communications and security systems; and integration, testing and commissioning of the metro. The contract would also involve the fit-out of all six stations: Central, Town Hall, Martin Place, Wynyard-Barangaroo, Rozelle and Pyrmont.
Stage one of Sydney Metro will extend first from Central to Westmead and then to areas including the North West and South East as “funding becomes available,” Campbell said.