Keolis Downer awarded $900m contract to operate bus services on northern beaches and north shore

A private operator has won a multimillion-dollar contract to operate buses on the northern beaches, with plans to introduce 125 electric vehicles.

A new private operator has won a $900m contract to operate public buses on the northern beaches and north shore.

Keolis Downer has been awarded the mega multimillion-dollar contract to operate and maintain bus services in the zone for eight years, from October 31, this year.

But critics say the “profit-driven” services had “sold out” locals and the move would lead to a greater risk of routes being cut, more delays for commuters and job cuts for transport workers.

The Rail Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) said recent changes to bus routes and timetables on the northern beaches — which the union claimed were designed to make the network more profitable for a private operator — have already led to “massively increased journey times”.

Transport Minister Andrew Constance announced the contract on Friday saying it would see the introduction of 125 electric buses that would deliver more sustainable transport options from two newly electrified depots in Brookvale and Mona Vale.

Northern beaches commuters at a bus stop. Britta Campion / The Australian

It will also introduce innovative headway technology to further increase the reliability and quality of service of the successful B-Line, Mr Constance said.

The popular On Demand transport service known as Keoride will also become a permanent part of the network.

“We are very proud to partner with TfNSW to support the future growth and transformation of the northern beaches,” David Franks, Keolis Downer CEO, said.

“Drawing on our experience locally and globally, we will launch a range of new initiatives to enhance the customer experience building from the already excellent bus services in the area.

“We will introduce new service technology to enable staff to actively manage routes and monitor bus running times, improving the frequency of bus services.

David Franks, CEO of Keolis Downer. Picture: Emma Brasier.

“We are also very excited to continue to deliver the highly successful On Demand transport service, which we have been operating in the area since 2017.

“We look forward to further engaging with the community to deliver a safe, efficient and reliable transport system that supports the liveability and future prosperity of this vibrant, growing region”.

The transport company has 4,900 employees and operates in five states.

It enables 250 million passenger journeys per year and maintains the integrated network in Newcastle, the largest tram network in the world in Melbourne, the light rail network on the Gold Coast and 1,000 buses in NSW, Western Australia, South Australia and Queensland.

Bus driver Lance Feather at the anti-public bus privatisation demonstrators outside NSW Liberal MP for Wakehurst, Brad Hazzard's electorate office at Dee Why. Protesters wanted Mr Hazzard to sign a pledge to keep buses on the northern beaches in public hands. Picture: Jim O'Rourke

The company said it will work closely with Transport for NSW to deliver a range of initiatives to further enhance the journey experience of customers, across all aspects of the service.

The move to privatise the service was met with strong opposition on the peninsula, with several protests held.

RTBU Bus Division secretary David Babineau said the government had sold out northern beaches residents with the awarding of a tender for Region 8 bus operations without any community consultation.

“Today sees the end of a proud 90-year history of government-run transport on the northern beaches, and it’s the local residents who campaigned tirelessly to keep their buses public who will suffer the consequences of running public services for profit,” Mr Babineau said.

“The Minister’s claim that residents will benefit from this takeover is just insulting. We know exactly what happens next. Everywhere buses have been handed to private operators, on-time running plummets, just as it did when Keolis Downer took over Newcastle’s services.

“Those on the northern beaches lucky enough to still have a bus service will soon find it more unreliable as the operator pushes to make a profit.

“If the purpose of public transport is to allow people with no other option to get around, it seems like our most vulnerable are nothing more than easy targets for this government.”