Bus - Keolis Downer

Keolis is one of the world’s largest and most successful bus and coach operators. It provides services in eight countries with a fleet of more than 23,500 vehicles. The Group’s bus fleet in Sweden runs entirely on alternative fuels and is 100% fossil free. Keolis also plays a key role in the tourism industry of iconic cities such as Las Vegas, Paris, Copenhagen and Quebec.

Keolis Downer entered the bus market in Australia in 2015 with the purchase of Australian Transit Enterprises (ATE). ATE is one of Australia’s leading bus operators with established operations in South Australia, Western Australia and Queensland. It has provided Keolis Downer with deep knowledge of the Australian bus industry and a platform for further growth.

Founded in 1974 as a family business, ATE has grown to over 1600 employees with 1100 buses operating long-term regular lines, school bus and commercial services. Its operations are spread across 22 Australian locations.

More About Keolis Downer

Light Rail

Light rail is undergoing regeneration. It is the fastest-growing form of public transport, with over 400 networks in operation. At the heart of this renaissance is the ability of light rail to move large numbers of passengers and to enable the renewal of urban landscapes.

Light Rail Details

Bus Networks

Keolis is one of the world’s largest and most successful bus and coach operators. It provides services in eight countries with a fleet of more than 23,500 vehicles. The Group’s bus fleet in Sweden runs entirely on alternative fuels and is 100% fossil free.

Our Bus Networks

Rail Networks

Rail is in the DNA of Keolis and Downer. Keolis is a subsidiary of the world-leading French national rail operator SNCF. Downer is one of the pioneers of rail in Australia. Our pedigree as a rail operator reaches back more than 150 years, and our operations span three continents.

Our Rail Networks

Metro System

Metro has been shown in research to provide the highest capacity transport solution for greater population densities. And from the perspective of customers, the speed, efficiency and amenity of a modern metro system ensures highly reliable and efficient service.

More About Metro

Multimodality

Keolis not only operates metro, heavy rail, light rail, regular and high-frequency bus services but also manages bikes, cable cars, river/sea ferries, on-demand transport, private driver services and parking. Keolis Downer’s objective is to provide a seamless door-to-door journey.

More Multimodality

Network Planning

Keolis Downer offers communities multimodal transport solutions that are simple, efficient and seamless. By designing transport networks that people want to use, we break down barriers to passengers and therefore increase patronage.

Our Network Planning

Project Delivery

As an expert in project delivery, Keolis Downer has the necessary skills, knowledge and processes to ensure a smooth transition from design to delivery, and in nurturing concepts and ambitions to realisation.

Project Delivery Details

Buses: The Backbone of Multimodality

Keolis Downer is proudly modally agnostic and customer-centric. We know buses are the glue that binds many transport networks and offers a flexible solution that whole networks can adapt to with growth. A highly capable bus network that provides feeder services into the spine of a city’s transport system is fundamental to dynamic networks that serve the needs of customers.

Keolis Downer has identified the opportunity to introduce multimodal public transport contracts to Australia. These contracts, particularly when they involve new transport modes, provide an opportunity to rethink existing networks and deliver new customer outcomes. Similar reimagining of our international networks has delivered strong growth in patronage, including up to 40% in Bordeaux since 2009 and 30% in Dijon since 2012.

Keolis Downer supports a competitive market for transport service delivery. Competition supports a focus on value for money and customer satisfaction. Broadening the role of private operators helps foster innovation and new ideas. Ownership structure is just one aspect of policy-making. Our view is that if a market is open to competition, we will be keen to participate and put forward our credentials.

Fast Facts & Figures

million passenger journeys a year worldwide

buses worldwide, including 1,600 vehicles using alternative fuels

public and school bus services in Australia in 22 locations

From Lowest Cost to Value for Money

Some public agencies currently perform multiple roles, including operator, regulator, network strategist, contract manager and procurer. Inevitably, this leads to conflicts, and moving some of these roles into the private sector on franchise arrangements can be beneficial. In countries like France, this has been common. Trust is essential for such arrangements, of course, and they will only work with experienced and suitably qualified partners.

Ten important pre-conditions to positive outcomes from franchising*;

Have a clear strategy for transport delivery and the political will to follow through
Have realistic expectations
Be well prepared
Choose the most appropriate franchise structure
Create contestability
Get the contract right
Balance financial and other objectives
Have the right people and skills to manage the relationship effectively
Be flexible and willing to adapt to change
Bring the community along

* These findings are based on our experience in Australia and overseas, and are consistent with research conducted by LEK for the Tourism and Transport Forum (TTF) in July 2012.

Keolis Downer is committed to competition and to delivering value for money. The potential savings offered by competition in the Australian market have ranged from 20% to 50% of operating costs. However, in mature markets, the rule of diminishing returns indicates that substantial government cost savings can only be achieved through significant changes to the service offer, or service standards.

In these markets, public transport authorities must take a multi-faceted view of value, moving beyond financial efficiency to consider customer service outcomes on an equal pegging. Keolis Downer seeks partnerships with public transport authorities where it is possible to refine the contracting model and deliver a shared vision of the network.

Keolis Downer has identified a deeper model for contracting. This model sees the private operator take greater responsibility for increasing public transport patronage, while at the same time being given the opportunity to tailor services through network design, marketing and product definition. This model has been used in some Australian jurisdictions and is the basis for contracting in some international markets.