Three transport giants compete for rail

By STUART DYE transport reporter

The battle to run Auckland's rail commuter service is a three horse race between transport giants Connex, Serco and Stagecoach.

Bosses of all three have visited Auckland over recent weeks before submitting their final bids to the Auckland Regional Council.

And the trio are no strangers, competing directly against each other in the privatised UK rail market.

The winner is due to be announced in the New Year, an ARC spokesman said yesterday.

The winning bidder will take over the network from early 2004 and run it until 2007.

Connex's bid is backed by the company's successful running of the Melbourne network where it boasts 100 per cent reliability and on-time performance of 97.5 per cent.

"Running on time is absolutely crucial," said Bob Annells, Connex board director.

That talk will be music to the ears of Auckland's beleaguered commuters.

There was a myriad of issues that could affect trains running on time, said Mr Annells.

"You need people who are absolutely committed and experienced. This, combined with a proven track record, is the key," he said.

Connex and Stagecoach are old rivals - Connex beating Stagecoach to win the $US600 million ($1012 million) Boston rail franchise.

But Stagecoach has a wealth of experience, running Britain's South West rail operation and is well known in New Zealand for its bus group.

It is also bidding for the UK South East operation, taken off Connex earlier this year.

"We've got a lot of rail experience which means we can pool our knowledge into the Auckland service," said Tony de Burgh, business development deputy director.

"We own 650 buses here and Fullers Ferries. We understand the market, our customers and staff."

Mr de Burgh believed the big challenge in Auckland was to win back the confidence and support of commuters.

"We've got to persuade them that it's worthwhile by providing fast, clean trains that run on time - basically everything you would expect of a good transport system," he said.

Serco is a service provider specialist dealing in everything from managing parking meters to testing nuclear weapons. It runs Docklands Light Railway in London and the Manchester Metrolink.

It is also the operator of long-distance rail travel on the Great Southern Railway in Australia.

"They are long-distance services, but it is still running a railway," said general manager Don Corey.

Serco has just been appointed the operator of Mersey Rail in Liverpool, England, and is shortlisted to take control of Edinburgh's tram network.

"There's no doubt that rail in Auckland is at its lowest ebb. We are experienced in operating railways and in our wider business our style is co-operating with customers," said Mr Corey.