Docklands Light Railway Contract Extension
Serco awarded contract extension to continue running the Docklands Light
Railway
7 January 2013
Serco Group plc (Serco), the international service company, announces that it
has secured an 18-month extension to its contract to operate, maintain and
market the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) on behalf of Transport for London
(TfL). The extension, which is valued at approximately £100 million, will run
from April 2013 to September 2014.
Serco has been operating the DLR, the busiest light railway in the UK, under
two consecutive contracts since 1997. Over the past fifteen years it has
carried 830 million passengers and achieved award-winning improvements in
service reliability and customer satisfaction.
The award of the contract extension comes after a particularly successful year.
Serco was named `Light Rail Operator of the Year' and the DLR carried 7.2
million passengers during the Olympic Games, more than double normal levels,
with trains maintaining over 99% reliability. To achieve this success, a number
of significant innovations and improvements were introduced. These included new
timetables with three-car trains on all routes from January 2012; improvements
in passenger information and staffing; a new control centre at Beckton; ten
bespoke timetables for the Olympics and extended services supported by 45,000
extra staff hours.
On behalf of TfL, DLR Director Jonathan Fox said: "I am pleased to announce the
extension of this contract and the continuation of a successful working
partnership that has seen the DLR expand its network, increase its capacity by
50 per cent and successfully meet the challenge of the Olympics, when the
network carried more than 100 per cent more customers than normal."
Christopher Hyman, Chief Executive of Serco Group plc, said: "We are delighted
that our performance has been recognised with this 18-month extension of the
DLR contract. We have a strong track record of delivering high quality rail
services in the UK and internationally, with our award-winning services
recognised for their high levels of performance, punctuality and passenger
care. The commitment, dedication and innovation of our people have delivered an
outstanding service, particularly during the Olympics."
Ends
For further information please contact Serco:
Stuart Ford, Head of Investor Relations T +44 (0) 1256 386 227
Marcus De Ville, Head of Media Relations T +44 (0) 1256 386 226
About Serco
Serco is a FTSE 100 international service company, which combines commercial
know-how with a deep public service ethos.
Around the world, we improve essential services by managing people, processes,
technology and assets more effectively. We advise policy makers, design
innovative solutions, integrate systems and - most of all - deliver to the
public.
Serco supports governments, agencies and companies who seek a trusted partner
with a solid track record of providing assured service excellence. Our people
offer operational, management and consulting expertise in the aviation, BPO,
defence, education, environmental services, facilities management, health, home
affairs, information and communications technology, knowledge services, local
government, science and nuclear, transport, welfare to work and the commercial
sectors.
More information can be found at www.serco.com