Tram Network on the Gold Coast, Australia

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PRESS RELEASE Paris, 20 December 2017

Keolis Downer opens new extension to ‘G:link,’ its existing tram network on the Gold Coast, Australia

On 17 December 2017, Keolis Downer, Keolis’ subsidiary in Australia and current operator of G:link, the Gold Coast light rail, successfully started operating a new 7.3 km extension line to the service.

The opening occurs ahead of the Commonwealth Games to be held in April 2018, where light rail will play a vital role over the two-week event.

The delivery of this key project for the state of Queensland is a major milestone. It will provide improved rail connectivity between Queensland’s two largest cities, help drive economic growth and provide an easy connection between heavy and light rail for commuters.

This launch reinforces Keolis’ world leadership in tram operations and enhances its presence in Australia.

On 17 December 2017, Keolis Downer began passenger service on a 7.3 km long extension of the Gold Coast tram network in Queensland, Australia. The extension increases the network’s total length from 13 km to 20.3 km. The opening occurs ahead of the 2018 Commonwealth Games, where light rail will play a vital role. To mark the occasion, an official opening ceremony was held at the new Helensvale station, in the presence of Queensland State officials, including Jackie Trad, Deputy Premier.

Keolis operates in Australia through its subsidiary Keolis Downer (51% for Keolis, 49% for Downer). Keolis Downer is part of the GoldlinQ public-private partnership, which in 2011 was selected by Queensland’s Department of Transport and Main Roads to operate and maintain the G:link tram network, for 18 years. The 13km network entered passenger service in 2014 and The Department of Transport and Main Roads awarded the contract to operate the 7.3 km line extension to GoldlinQ Pty Ltd in May 2016. This is the first greenfield transport system to have been funded by a public-private partnership in Australia with all 3 levels of government.

The new extension has added three new stations to the network, bringing the total number of stations to 19. Four new trams were added to the fleet increasing fleet numbers to 18 light rail vehicles.

G:link now travels north to Helensvale, where it links directly to the railway station allowing passengers to connect with train services to Brisbane, Queensland’s capital city. The extended network will provide the Gold Coast community with easier public transport access to key social hubs and provide an efficient alternative to the car. This supports the Queensland Government’s objective to improve the rail connectivity between Queensland’s two largest cities and drive economic growth. The extension will also support the increased need for sustainable transport solutions for a population that is set to increase from 575,000 to 1 million people, by 2040.

Since beginning operations, G:link’s original 13km network has performed highly with results of 97% punctuality and 90% customer satisfaction in 2017. Results such as these prove the value of an efficient transport system. 22,000 trips are made on G:link every day which equates to 660,000 passengers every month. Since beginning operations, the Gold Coast has seen a 31.8% increase in patronage across bus and tram services, providing a significant boost to the region’s social and economic development.

Bernard Tabary, Keolis CEO International said: “Keolis Downer is immensely proud to be operating this extension to the Gold Coast’s vibrant and popular tram network. The growth of the service will enable more people in the community to benefit from an efficient, sustainable form of transport. We are looking forward to the Commonwealth Games next year to deliver an optimal experience to all visitors travelling to the Gold Coast, and support TransLink and the Queensland Government to make public transport a major success of the Games.”

Keolis Downer currently operates in five states across Australia, which in addition to G:link, includes Yarra Trams in Melbourne ( the largest network in the world), Australia’s first multimodal network in Newcastle, New South Wales and bus networks in South Australia, Western Australia and Queensland.

Keolis Keolis is a pioneer in developing public transport systems and works alongside public decision-makers who want to turn shared mobility systems into levers to enhance the appeal and vitality of their regions. A world leader in operating automated metro and tramway systems, Keolis is supported by a sustained and open innovative policy alongside all of its partners and subsidiaries – Kisio, LeCab, EFFIA, Keolis Santé, Cykleo – to bolster its core business and develop new innovative and bespoke shared mobility solutions, including trains, buses and coaches, trolleybuses, shared car solutions, river and sea shuttle services, bike share services, car sharing, fully electric driverless shuttles and urban cable cars. In France, Keolis is the second largest parking company through its subsidiary EFFIA, and the country's leading medical transport solution since the creation of Keolis Santé in July 2017. The Group is 70%-owned by SNCF and 30%-owned by the Caisse de Dépôt et Placement du Québec (Quebec Deposit and Investment Fund), and employs some 58,300 people in 16 countries. In 2016, it posted revenue of €5.1 billion. More than 3 billion passengers have now used one of Keolis’ shared mobility services.

* Keolis is well-established in France and also operates in Germany, Australia, Belgium, Canada, China, Denmark, the United Arab Emirates, United States, India, Luxembourg, Norway, the Netherlands, Portugal, the United Kingdom and Sweden.

CONTACTS Marsid GREENIDGE Linda HUGUET Director International Communications & International Communications Manager Public Affairs Tel.: +33 (0)1 71 32 98 43 – Mob. : +33 ------Tel.: +33 (0)1 71 32 92 15 (0)7 71 50 27 95 [email protected] [email protected]