Eurogroup Consulting has published a comparative study of 32 tram systems throughout the world, indicating the systems operated by Keolis are among the top performers.
The study focused on three different types of systems: recent systems in large cities, recent systems in medium cities and historic systems. They were evaluated according to service offer, ridership, economic viability, multimodal integration and reliability. The study distinguishes the performance of Keolis-operated systems in Lyon, Bordeaux, Lille, Dijon and Tours in France and Manchester, Nottingham, Bergen, Gold Coast and Melbourne internationally.
“These results testify to the real return on investment public transport authorities can achieve by harnessing the potential of trams as a mass transit mode. Keolis is delighted to form winning partnerships with PTAs the world over to deliver results for passengers,” commented Keolis Group Executive Chairman Jean-Pierre Farandou. “In France, Keolis operates trams hand-in-hand with some of the countries’ most pioneering PTAs and this study confirms their foresight in introducing or revitalizing their tram systems. The same is true internationally and we’re really proud that PTA partners are achieving recognition not only in studies like this but also in their popularity as widespread growth in ridership figures show.”
In the ranking of large cities, the Keolis-operated tram systems in Lyon, Bordeaux, Manchester and Lille achieved performance scores ranked first, third, fifth and ninth. In Lyon, where Keolis partners with the SYTRAL PTA in operating the tram as part of the integrated TCL network featuring six modes of transport, the tram performed particularly well in terms of ridership and multimodal integration, referring to the degree of connection with the bus, metro and train networks or the soft modes. The study notes that three out of Lyon’s five and soon to be six tram lines transport over 100,000 passengers per day.
In the ranking of medium cities, the Keolis-operated systems in Dijon, Tours and Bergen took the top three spots in the study. Achieving the highest score in this family of tram systems were Dijon’s two tram lines that form a key part of the Keolis and are operated by DiviaMobilités network featuring modes including tram, bus and bicycle as well as car parks and parking. According to the study, Dijon significantly outperforms the average scores on ticketing thanks in part to the introduction of open payment onboard trams, allowing passengers to purchase, store and validate tickets using contactless credit or debit cards. The ‘tram effect’ is perfectly illustrated by Dijon where public transport ridership grew by 40 percent in just three years following the tram’s arrival.
Among historic trams, Zurich took the top spot with Melbourne’s iconic Yarra Trams operated by Keolis Downer, achieving the fourth highest performance score. The largest tram network in the world, Yarra Trams has been operated and maintained by Australia’s largest private multimodal operator, Keolis Downer, since 2009 when the Victorian government awarded the contract. Following the contract’s renewal in 2017, Keolis Downer is doubling the amount of track renewed across the network annually, which will increase from five kilometers to 10 kilometers on average each year.
“The study underlines the importance of continuous investment in historic networks and this reflects the work taking place in Melbourne where we are really proud to be delivering the Victorian government’s vision of a safe, reliable, clean and easy-to-use transport mode which is rightly viewed with affection by the city’s residents and visitors,” said Farandou.
