LocoTrain

connex asks for second chance on trains - national - theage.com.au @import url("/css/2005/theage-200511.css"); welcome to the age. skip directly to: search box, section navigation, content. text version. var ffxadexclusionlist = new array(); var show_google_ads = "true"; @import url("http://samples.fairfax.com.au/netstrip/templates/netstrip-20060911.css"); news | mycareer | domain | drive | finance | mobile | rsvp | travel member centre | login | register www.theage.com.au home » national » article connex asks for second chance on trains email print normal font large font jason dowlingjuly 1, 2007 latest related coverage analysis public control? not likely troubled public transport operator connex wants to run melbourne's trains for another 11 years. the company has already sought a 30-month contract extension which would leave it running melbourne's trains until at least 2011. but outgoing connex chairman bob annells said the company would apply for a five- to seven-year contract, which could take the company's management of the train system to 2018. this is despite connex's being fined tens of millions of dollars because of late or cancelled trains, and public outrage at the state of the system. connex has been fined more than $62 million by the state government since 2004, including a $10 million fine for the first three months of this year. mr annells said connex had applied to extend its contract because there were too many uncertainties in the public transport system to put the contract out for tender. those uncertainties included the inability to gauge the revenue impact of the new myki smartcard ticketing system, a big jump in patronage, major disruptions caused by infrastructure upgrades, and the arrival of 10 new trains. "the essential prerequisite for sensible tendering is to be tendering against a degree of certainty in the key elements that you are being asked to take risk on," he said. "we believe that's unlikely to occur for at least the 18-month extension under the current contract, and desirably perhaps even a little bit longer, a further 12 months." he said the government was well aware of the company's view. the government must decide by november if it will take up an optional 18-month extension to the connex train contract that expires in november 2008. a 30-month extension is possible. connex is in the process of negotiating a three-year business plan with the government over the operation of the train network. the government has yet to announce whether it will extend current public transport contracts, put the contracts out to tender, or resume public control of melbourne's public transport system. louise perry, spokeswoman for public transport minister lynne kosky, said "the government was yet to take final decisions on the future involvement of the private sector in the delivery of victoria's train and tram services". "those decisions will be made over the next few months," she said. "government decisions about the future operation of the train and tram systems will be based on achieving the best possible services at the best value for money for each system." daniel bowen from the public transport users association said the government should put out a tender for the city's train contract as soon as the current deal expired. he said a new contract could then be negotiated with the winning bidder, which would give the government more control over the train system. opposition transport spokesman terry mulder said connex's contract should be extended until present uncertainties were overcome. he said an extension would be reasonable. dennis cliche, chief executive of yarra trams, said the next tram contract should be renegotiated and did not need to go out for tender or have the current contract extended. he said a new 10-15-year contract could be negotiated. "our preference would be a renegotiation (and) we would like that to be longer rather than shorter" term, he said. email print normal font large font when you see news happening: sms/mms: 0406 the age (0406 843 243), or var hidename = "scoop";var hidedomain = "theage.com.au";document.write("email"); us. more get the age home delivered for as little as a $1 a day! sponsored links latest related coverage analysis public control? not likely 1182624239500-theage.com.auhttp://www.theage.com.au/news/national/connex-asks-for-second-chance-on-trains/2007/06/30/1182624239500.htmltheage.com.authe age2007-07-01connex asks for second chance on trainsjason dowlingnationalhttp://www.theage.com.au/news/national/public-control-not-likely/2007/06/30/1182624239512.htmlpublic control? not likelytext/html-document national | world | opinion | business | technology | sport | entertainment classifieds jobs | real estate | cars | dating | place a classified ad sitemap | subscribe | privacy | contact us | conditions | member agreement | copyright © 2007. the age company ltd. news breaking news national world opinion your say blog central letters in depth investigations weather oddspot archives home entertainment film tv & radio music arts books epicure whats on entertainment » life & style people fashion parenting health diet relationships beauty house & home pets bridal life & style » business market data money portfolio quotes biz network executive style business » sport afl realfooty cricket swimming tennis motorsport golf soccer basketball horseracing league hq rugby heaven sport » travel australia world activities & interests short breaks deals & bookings travel » tech gadgets games @home biztech security connectivity techtips tech » other sections education creative & media employment property motoring video photo galleries crosswords the age shop about the age contact us site map classifieds place an ad adonline announcements notices other classifieds advertise with us classifieds » jobs find a job place an ad auto cars for sale sell your car news and reviews bikes and scooters real estate buy property sell property rent property share property property data new developments commercial property holiday rentals business for sale place an ad rsvp find a date browse for a date top 100 introductions rsvp.com.au search age: today's national coverage protesters blockade city's busiest truck route blue wedges in dredging halt bid developer's sexual flings mother of dead children 'lying with bodies' families tell of heartbreak in tac campaign libs give up on 12-year ir crusade accused 'spoke of killing howard' castro, cold warrior, signs off double rate rise: rba's shock plan ashby declines formal action against top police home repossessions on rise national index owen wilson returns to work owen wilson is going back to work for the first time since his suicide attempt last year. keef befriends brain surgeon keith richards has a new addition to his family - the brain surgeon who saved his life. did britney cause the financial crisis? 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