Serco, Veolia Consortium, Transit On Sydney Ferry Short List
06 Outubro 2011 - 10:41PM
Dow Jones News
Australia's New South Wales state has whittled down to three a
short list of bidders seeking to run Sydney's famed harbor ferry
service after 28 companies initially expressed interest in the
contract.
Serco Group PLC's (SRP.LN) Australian unit is competing against
a partnership of Veolia Environnement S.A. (VE) with Transfield
Services Ltd. (TSE.AU) and Transit Systems and Forgacs Engineering
on the shortlist. The companies now have until early 2012 to submit
detailed proposals to the state government on how they propose
running the ferries.
"The ability of tenderers to improve the overall customer
experience will be a key consideration, in line with the emphasis
on customer service we are implementing across the public transport
network," said Gladys Berejiklian, transport minister in a
statement.
The deal is part of a push by the state government to maximise
cash from publicly owned and operated utilities to help fund major
new infrastructure projects. The state plans to raise more than $2
billion Australian dollars (US$1.95 billion) by leasing Port
Botany, one of the country's biggest container ports.
Sydney Ferries traces its roots back to the late 18th century
when Great Britain established a penal colony in Australia and has
been in the red for a number of years as the cost of operating and
maintaining an ageing fleet exceeded stagnant revenues. The company
lost A$7.1 million in the year to June 30, 2010, narrowing from a
deficit of A$14.5 million in the previous financial year.
Ministers hope privatization will lead to the reinstatement of
hundreds of ferry services, and encourage more people to swap their
car for travel within Sydney's panoramic harbor.
Under the reform, the NSW government will continue to own Sydney
Ferries and control fare structures, but private operators will be
handed the right to lease, maintain and run the fleet.
Sydney Ferries operates 28 vessels traveling between Sydney's
business district and nearly 40 destinations, including Taronga Zoo
and the beach suburb of Manly. The ferries make a combined 175,000
trips every year. Private operators are allowed to run competing
services with Sydney Ferries, with closely held Sydney Fast Ferries
operating two vessels between central Sydney and Manly since April
2010.
-By Enda Curran, Dow Jones Newswires; 61-2-8272-4687;
enda.curran@dowjones.com
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