Major contract in Las Vegas - Keolis Group strengthens its position in North America

MONTREAL, Feb. 28, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ - Keolis Transit America (KTA), a sister subsidiary of Keolis Canada, was unanimously awarded a contract by the board of directors of Southern Nevada's Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) to operate the majority of the urban transportation network in Las Vegas. This major win fits the Keolis Group growth strategy in North America.

Keolis Transit America won the larger part of the network, Lot B, with 55% of the vehicles (approximately 30 million passengers annually), thanks to the quality of its proposal and the teams called on to head the future operation. The call for tenders prohibited a single operator from winning the entire network, which was divided into two lots.

Lot B is the more iconic part of the network, as it serves southern Las Vegas, the famous "strip." This bus network-among the biggest in the United States under delegated management-is one of the most visible and most structured urban contracts in the country.

The contract, with a five-year initial term that can be extended another five years, will generate total turnover of US$500 million and begin July 7. Apart from operating 207 buses, Keolis will be responsible for maintenance, staffing, and customer service. The fleet includes double decker and long buses, as well as some fifty BRTs (bus rapid transits), using a range of alternative energies (natural gas and hybrid).

A major step for Keolis on the North American market
This win marks a milestone in Keolis's development in the United States, a market that the Group has great ambitions for, both in urban transportation and local rail services.

Bernard Tabary, International CEO of Keolis, says, "This new contract is the result of the successful integration of KTA in the Group. It marks a major step for Keolis's expansion in the U.S. and will serve as a reference for future calls for tender that we take part in, in urban transportation, paratransit, shuttle services, and on-demand transportation. It backs up our powerful implementation strategy in the U.S., where we currently have several ongoing tenders."

Keolis has been in Canada since 2002 and moved into the rail services market in the U.S. with the Virginia Railway Express, serving Washington, D.C.'s southern and western suburbs. It then expanded into the urban transportation sector with the 2009 acquisition of part of the assets of Groupe Gaudreault in the Lanaudière region and, in late 2011, of Tectrans, a public transportation operator based in California that became Keolis Transit America in 2012.

About the Keolis Group
The Keolis Group develops customized mobility solutions adapted to travelers' changing trip requirements and community needs. An urban transit leader in France, the Keolis Group is a major public transportation player in Europe and worldwide. Present in 13 countries, Keolis boasts annual revenue of over €4.9 billion and 52,600 employees. Keolis Group shareholders are SNCF (70%) and Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (30%). The shareholders indicated their intent to continue the profitable growth strategy that was established over 10 years ago and will drive the firm's development in France and around the world.

About Keolis Canada
Keolis Canada, a subsidiary of the Keolis Group, specializes in bus transportation for passengers in Quebec. Keolis Canada provides high quality, reliable, and safe intercity, charter, airport, urban, school, and specialized transportation services thanks to its team of more than 788 experienced employees.

Keolis Canada operates a fleet of 385 vehicles, including 75 buses providing various intercity transportation services. Each year, Keolis Canada carries 1.1 million passengers and more than 1 million parcels thanks to its Orléans Express and Expedibus divisions.

SOURCE: Keolis Canada

Source:

Marc-André Varin
Vice President, Business Development,
Marketing, and Communications
Keolis Canada 
Telephone: [phone]
Email: [email protected] 

Information:

Raphaëlle Cyr-Lelièvre
Consultant
H+K Strategies
Telephone: [phone], ext.231
Cell: 418-580-0040
Email [email protected]