8th Mar 2006 15:45
Serco signs new ‚£400m Docklands Light Railway franchise8 March 2006Serco Group plc ("Serco") has announced that it has signed the franchiseagreement to continue to operate, maintain and support the Docklands LightRailway (DLR).The seven year contract, which is planned to start on 28 May, may be extendedfor a further two years and is valued at around ‚£400m over this extendedperiod.The new franchise provides for further improvements for passengers including amaximum of ten minutes between trains at any time, trains every three minutesat peak times on the busy Lewisham to Bank line, punctuality of more than 96%,customer satisfaction levels of at least 90% and close to 100% availability forservices such as ticket machines, escalators and information displays.The franchise will also see significant new security enhancements including new`Travel safe' officers to patrol stations and trains during late hours andupgraded CCTV on stations and trains. During the new franchise, Serco willoversee the introduction of three-car trains and new services to Woolwich andStratford International.Serco Group Chief Executive Christopher Hyman said: "We are delighted thatTransport for London has again selected us to run DLR. With the new franchise,we aim to continue to deliver what passengers want: reliable, punctual, safeand clean trains and helpful staff. We are also confident of delivering worldclass services for visitors to the Olympics in 2012."Howard Smith, TfL's London Rail Chief Operating Officer, said: "The DLR is themost reliable railway in the UK. We look forward to continuing our excellentworking relationship with Serco and, continued investment in DLR through TfL'sfive-year ‚£10bn investment programme."Over the last nine years of the franchise, DLR passenger numbers doubled from25 to 50 million, stimulating the growth and success of communities andbusinesses across East London. This new franchise agreement, together withfurther extensions to Woolwich and Stratford International and the 50% increasein capacity on the Bank-Lewisham Route, lays a firm foundation for the London2012 Olympic transport network."DLR and Serco will continue to work together to meet future demand and buildon the DLR's unrivalled reputation for dependability and delivery."Serco was appointed preferred bidder for the new franchise agreement inNovember 2005.EndsFor further information, contact: +44 (0) 1256 745 900Richard Hollins, Head of Investor RelationsGraham Capper, Head of Media and Public RelationsNotes to editorsSerco improves services by managing people, processes, technology and assetsmore effectively in the transport, defence, education, health, home affairs,local government, science, technology and commercial sectors, working in 37countries. Serco advises policy makers, designs innovative solutions,integrates systems and delivers to the public. More information can be foundat www.serco.com.For further details contact:Serco Group plc, Palm Court, 4 Heron Square, Richmond, Surrey TW9 1EW, UnitedKingdomT +44 (0)20 8334 4336 F +44 (0)20 8334 4301 www.serco.comPress ReleaseENDSERCO GROUP PLCRelated Shares:
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