Sydney

In 1980, in order to improve public transportation in the Inner West and Darling Harbour precincts of Sydney, the New South Wales State Government, decided to launch two leading rail projects: a light rail system and a monorail system. The light rail project was part of a plan financed and managed by the NSW State Government and the Federal Government to revitalize urban areas and provide economic stimulus.
In the mid 1990s, the Sydney Light Rail Company (owned by Infrastructure Funds) entered into a Public Private Partnership with the NSW State Government to build, own and operate its light rail system.

The Metro Light Rail is operated on a purely commercial risk basis. Revenue is generated solely from fares, advertising and other commercial sources.

In this context, the key mission of Veolia Transport Sydney is to support the concession holder inachieving long term business sustainability by:

• delivering an effective and safe light rail system;
• developing and managing staff skills;
• increasing ridership;
• operating and maintaining the system in an efficient manner.

Veolia Transport was mobilized to prepare the operation in 1999.
Key achievements include operations start-up and operation during the Sydney Olympic Games in 2000.

• The vehicles provide high capacity and high-level facilities: air conditioning and heating, on-board public address system, etc.
• The light rail allows customers to alight right outside the Sydney Central Railway Station and have direct access to tourist attraction.

A large team of Customer Service Officers on-board vehicles assist passengers, provide a sense of security during night services, deliver travel and sightseeing information. Agents also sell tickets and collect revenue.

• Veolia Transport Sydney has safety accreditation under the Railway Safety Act in New South Wales for the operation of the Light Rail.
• We utilize a number of human factor strategies (fatigue management training and monitoring) and new technologies such as Automatic Tram Protection (ATP).
• The Central Control Room staff manages safety issues and has direct contact with each light rail vehicle and stop.