Bidders announced for Gold Coast rapid transit

<span class="" id="parent-fieldname-description"> There has been strong domestic and international interest in Queensland’s $1.7bn Gold Coast rapid transit project, with six consortiums coming forward to bid for the for the project’s first stage. </span> <p>By Jennifer Perry</p><p>“The submissions are from a range of international light-rail operators, Australian and international financiers, vehicle builders and construction companies,” transport minister Rachel Nolan said.<br />Noland said the government is looking for a long term partner “with the right mix” of experience, vision and innovation to operate, maintain and construct the high capacity light rail system.<br />Construction of the 13 kilometre, Stage One corridor from Griffith University/the new Gold Coast University Hospital&nbspto Broadbeach is scheduled to begin operations in 2014. When completed, the 40 km light rail project will link the Gold Coast to Coolangatta on the Queensland-News south Wales border.<br />The project has received $1bn in public funding including $464 from the state government and $120m from the Gold Coast City Council. One of Infrastructure Australia’s (IA) nine ‘priority’ projects announced in 2009, the project also received $365 million in federal funding from the Building Australia Fund (BAF).<br />The public private partnership has been touted as a “test case” for Federal Government funding for other infrastructure projects across Australia as the commonwealth reportedly seeks a return on its investment.<br />The expressions of interest for the project’s First Stage will be evaluated by the project team in the coming months before the Queensland Government announces a shortlist of companies&nbspthat will progress to the detailed bid phase.<br />The six consortia for the Operator Franchise PPP are:<br />.gcSMaRTmove: Ansaldo STS Australia, SMRT International, Thiess, Mitsui &amp Co, Royal Bank of Canada.<br />.GC Connect: MTR Corporation, John Holland, ITOCHU Corporation, Royal bank of Scotland.<br />.MoveGC: Veolia Transport Australasia, Alstom Australia Holdings and ALSTOM Transport SA, Leighton Contractors, Macquarie Capital Group.<br />.GoldlinQ: Keolis SA, Downer EDI, Bombardier Transportation Australia, McConnell Dowell Constructors (Aust), Plenary Group<br />.KirraKink: TransdevTSL, Acciona SA, CAF, Mitsubishi Corporation, Seymour Whyte, Capella Capital.<br />.SNC-Lavalin Australia: SNC Lavalin Australia, BMD, Thales, Verhehrs Consult Dresden-Berlin GmbH.</p><p>&nbsp</p>