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KeolisAmey Metrolink (KAM) has been awarded a three-year contract extension with Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) to continue operating and maintaining the UK’s largest tram network until July 2027.
Metrolink is a key part of Greater Manchester’s Bee Network – the region’s vision for a London-style integrated public transport system combining trams, buses, cycling and walking routes – with plans to include local rail services by 2030.
KAM has been the operator and maintainer of Metrolink since July 2017, achieving a variety of significant milestones throughout this time. Working in partnership with TfGM, the two organisations have:
- Seen record high performance levels, which have allowed passenger numbers to recover post-Covid, with passenger numbers expected to exceed pre-pandemic levels this year.
- Delivered service enhancements, which have allowed Metrolink to run more services than ever before, with operated mileage across the network having increased by over 20 per cent.
- Introduced TravelSafe Officers on Metrolink and enhanced partnership working with Greater Manchester Police and other agencies.
- Improved customer satisfaction, with the independent Institute of Customer Service identifying Metrolink as one of 20 most improved organisations nationally across all sectors.
- Successfully introduced 27 new trams to provide improved service capacity and resilience.
- Opened the Trafford Park Line in 2020.
This extension looks to further strengthen the success of the partnership resulting in continued improvements to the customer offering, including:
- An even greater emphasis on operational performance and more planned network improvements.
- An enhanced focus on revenue protection and security across the network.
- A commitment to further invest in the existing network to ensure it benefits from the latest technology developments.
- Refreshed social impact ambitions to maximise its support of the local community.
Danny Vaughan, TfGM’s Head of Metrolink, said of the partnership: “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.”
The extended contract will be overseen by Damien Chabas, who was appointed by KAM as its new Managing Director in August 2023.
