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Keolis-SNCF safety record 'is key to west coast main line bid' Keolis-SNCF safety record 'is key to UK expansion'
(40 minutes later)
The chief executive of the French-owned transport group bidding for the west coast main line franchise has said that its safety record, not its state backing, would be the key to its planned expansion in the UK next year.The chief executive of the French-owned transport group bidding for the west coast main line franchise has said that its safety record, not its state backing, would be the key to its planned expansion in the UK next year.
Keolis-SNCF is one of four preferred bidders for the west coast main line franchise, which is up for grabs this year.Keolis-SNCF is one of four preferred bidders for the west coast main line franchise, which is up for grabs this year.
Although it has had stakes in four smaller franchises over the past 15 years in partnerships with either Go-Ahead or First Group, it has opted for the muscle of the French state railway in bidding for one of the crown jewels in UK rail.Although it has had stakes in four smaller franchises over the past 15 years in partnerships with either Go-Ahead or First Group, it has opted for the muscle of the French state railway in bidding for one of the crown jewels in UK rail.
Virgin, the current operator, is increasingly fearful of losing the franchise since the Dutch state-backed Abellio – another shortlisted bidder – took the Greater Anglia franchise after promising premium payments far above the losing bids.Virgin, the current operator, is increasingly fearful of losing the franchise since the Dutch state-backed Abellio – another shortlisted bidder – took the Greater Anglia franchise after promising premium payments far above the losing bids.
Keolis won new tram operations in Nottingham last year and expanded in the US and Australia as it reported revenues growing 8% to €4.44bn (£3.65bn) after what it said was "a successful year winning offensive tenders internationally". The UK was 20% of its market.Keolis won new tram operations in Nottingham last year and expanded in the US and Australia as it reported revenues growing 8% to €4.44bn (£3.65bn) after what it said was "a successful year winning offensive tenders internationally". The UK was 20% of its market.
Bernard Tabary, the Keolis international chief executive officer, said the company would be looking at other rail franchise tenders, either with SNCF or Go-Ahead, on a "pragmatic" basis.Bernard Tabary, the Keolis international chief executive officer, said the company would be looking at other rail franchise tenders, either with SNCF or Go-Ahead, on a "pragmatic" basis.
"In my eyes, what qualifies the SNCF isn't the public ownership but the fact that as a rail operator it has been operating at high speed for 30 years without a single accident," he said."In my eyes, what qualifies the SNCF isn't the public ownership but the fact that as a rail operator it has been operating at high speed for 30 years without a single accident," he said.
"In the end, the maths are the same for anyone: the access to money, the balance sheet – they override public and private ownership, and the SNCF is managed the same way as any other private company. I don't see that as an issue in the way others do.""In the end, the maths are the same for anyone: the access to money, the balance sheet – they override public and private ownership, and the SNCF is managed the same way as any other private company. I don't see that as an issue in the way others do."