A memorandum of understanding between a major construction, tunnelling, rail, building and services provider and global automated metro operator has been signed, partnering the two companies for upcoming bids to operate and maintain Sydney Metro West and Sydney Metro Greater West.
The world-class automated metro operator RATP Dev, whose parent company RATP Group runs the Paris Metro, has partnered with John Holland in order to enter the Australian market for the first time thanks to the significant metro program in place.
John Holland CEO, Joe Barr, said that the new partnership would harness the expertise of both companies in customer service, rail operations and maintenance.
“As Australia’s leading rail group, it is only natural that we want the next generation of Sydney Metro to grow and improve, and Sydney Metro West and Greater West are opportunities to create a new level of service for our customers.”
The Sydney Metro Greater West will create connections to Western Sydney’s first airport, and Metro West will more than double the rail capacity from Parramatta to the Sydney CBD.
“We want to make sure our proposals to run these projects lead to the most comfortable, reliable and modern service for customers,” Mr Barr said.
John Holland is currently delivering the tunnels for Sydney Metro City and Southwest and celebrated the successful construction of Sydney Metro Northwest in May. It is also part of the Metro Trains Sydney consortium that operates and maintains Sydney Metro Northwest.
RATP Dev CEO, Laurence Batlle, said that the company was excited to enter the Australian market for the first time, bringing with them their unrivalled experience of operating and maintaining public transport in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas, especially with 200km of new driverless metro operation contracts being executed.
“Our transport networks look after 1.5 billion passengers across 12 countries every year, it is that wealth of expertise that we are so keen to bring to Australia.
“Our priority is to put the customer first at all times, which is why we will work with John Holland to create a service designed around what passengers want.”
RATP Dev will soon be opening a new unit in Sydney to become its headquarters for Australia & New Zealand
