Light Rail and PPPs
Over the past ten years, we have been adviser to a number of private sector consortia in bidding for public-private partnership contracts to run, or to build and operate rapid transit operations.
Our work has encompassed virtually every proposed light rail scheme in the UK and we have helped two consortia to reach financial close and bring the schemes to fruition.
Delivering on the Ground
In CROYDON, the Tramlink system was opened to the public in May 2000, and has been increasingly successful ever since, carrying over 22 million passengers in 2004/05. Our client was the concession company Tramtrack Croydon Ltd (TCL), which won a 99-year Design, Build, Operate and Maintain franchise in 1996.
In NOTTINGHAM, the Nottingham Express Transit (NET) system was opened to the public in March 2004, and has attracted over 16 million passengers to its services since. The scheme has won high praise for its fully integrated approach to its services, fares and ticketing. Our client was Arrow Light Rail Ltd, who won the Design, Build, Finance and Operate concession.
Wide-Ranging Work on Other Projects
Since those early days on the Croydon bid ten years ago, we have worked on a huge range of projects in this country and overseas. They include:
- Edinburgh Tram
- Merseytram
- Leeds Supertram
- Manchester Metrolink
- Dublin LUAS
- Yarra Trams Privatisation, Melbourne
- Brisbane Light Rail Project
- Docklands Light Railway
- Sheffield Supertram
Elements of Service for PFI Bidders
In all cases, our service to our clients has included:
- Highly detailed reviews of patronage and revenue forecasts, informed by experience, careful research and the existing TAS databases
- Design of fares and ticketing systems, including revenue protection needs
- Close liaison with client, financial advisers and potential lenders
- Other assistance as required including
- Strategic Marketing Issues
- Bid documentation preparation
- Graphic design
In short, we regard ourselves as an integral part of the bid team, providing the right degree of support and assistance, designed to produce a winning bid!