The shortlisted bidders, which were selected following the evaluation of expressions of interest, are:
• a joint-venture of Transdev Australasia and Hyundai Rotem, Korea, the supplier of Wellington's Matangi EMUs (pictured¬)
• a joint venture of Keolis Downer and KiwiRail, the current operator of Wellington's suburban services through its Tranz Metro subsidiary, and
• Serco.
Tender documents will be issued to the short-listed bidders in early 2015, with a preferred bidder selected by the middle of the year, and the contract signed by the end of 2015. The new contract will come into effect from July 1 2016.
Wellington's 154km suburban network encompasses five lines and 49 stations. It carried approximately 11.18 million passengers in 2012 and reported increased ridership in 2013.
