Global law firm DLA Piper has advised Greater Wellington Regional Council (GWRC) and its subsidiary Greater Wellington Rail Limited (GWRL) on a new contract for Wellington’s rail services and train maintenance.
Transdev Wellington Ltd has been awarded the metro rail contract by transport authority GWRC – the first performance-based partnering contract in Wellington under the new Public Transport Operating Model. It is expected to take effect in July 2016. DLA Piper says in a media release.
Transdev is a world leader in the operation of passenger transport services in Europe, North America, Asia and the Pacific. It currently operates Auckland’s train services, ferries in Brisbane, ferries, light rail and buses in Sydney, and buses in Melbourne and Perth.
Hyundai Rotem, the manufacturer of Wellington’s Matangi trains, will partner with Transdev for the maintenance of the rolling stock.
The Trans-Tasman DLA Piper team was led by Asia Pacific Transport Sector Head Alex Guy in Brisbane, with support from partners Peter Leman in Wellington and Brendan Meech in Auckland, consultant Brian Bray, senior associates Kim Broadbent, Nicola Daly, Brendan Hanvey and Bing Wang and solicitors Kate McKenzie and Hamish Anderson.
Alex Guy said: “We’re proud to have been part of the team from Greater Wellington, Transdev and Hyundai Rotem that has delivered this ground-breaking deal. We’re also pleased to be continuing our work with Greater Wellington as it plans reforms in its bus market that will see further benefits for commuters, with procurement set to commence later this year.”
Announcing the signing of the contract between GWRC and Transdev, Chair of GWRC Chris Laidlaw said ratepayers can expect see real lifts in value for money over the term of the rail contract.
Chris Laidlaw said: “This is the first public transport contract in the Wellington region that is truly performance based and drives true partnering. And it is just the beginning, the council will follow with new bus services and contracts over the next two years. We will continue to see improvements and real value for money.”
