One of Australia’s leading bus operators has retained and expanded its public transport service contracts in Australia with successful bids on major Sydney metropolitan bus contracts.
ComfortDelGro Corporation Australia Pty Ltd (CDC), through its subsidiary CDC NSW Pty Ltd, has been selected to continue to operate services in Greater Sydney Bus Contract Region 4 and Region 14. Additionally, CDC NSW will expand its Sydney footprint to operate bus services in Region 12, which will be consolidated into Contract Region 14.
Awarded by the New South Wales Government, these contracts with CDC NSW are worth $1.7 billion and will run for up to 8 years with commencement due in the first half of 2023. Together, these contracts make up a significant part of Sydney’s public transport network, covering the city’s northern and north-western suburbs and the northern beaches. These regions are home to over 700 buses, which transport 18 million passenger trips every year. These contracts will also expand CDC NSW’s operations to employ over 2000 people in New South Wales.
CDC’s tender wins in Sydney consolidate upon successful tender wins over the past 12 months. In July this year, CDC transitioned successfully and smoothly 100 per cent of Darwin’s public buses following the Northern Territory Government awarding CDC all four contract packages the Government had tendered. These contracts are to operate public transport bus services in Darwin, Palmerston, rural areas, and special needs services within the broader region. This was in addition to the contracts it awarded CDC in Alice Springs, Batchelor, and Jabiru for school services in late 2021.
As a part of CDC’s new Sydney contracts, the company will rebrand Sydney’s Region 4 bus services (from Hillsbus), Region 14 bus service (from Forest Coach Lines) and Region 12 (from its previous operator) to CDC NSW.
CDC NSW CEO, Edward Thomas, said “the retention and expansion of its Sydney services is a major vote of confidence from the New South Wales Government in the company’s capacity to operate complex, large-scale metropolitan bus services safely while providing good customer service.
“Greater Sydney Bus Contract Region 4 is where CDC commenced its Australian bus operations in 2005, making it the heartland of our Australian operations.”
“Greater Sydney Bus Contract Region 14 also became an important part of our Sydney operations when we purchased Forest Coach Lines in 2018, which has allowed us to further prove ourselves as a trusted local operator which is responsive and accountable to Sydney’s everchanging needs.
“We look forward to delivering a smooth transition to the new Contracts, including as new operators in the former Contract Region 12 area,” Mr Thomas said.
ComfortDelGro Australia CEO, Nicholas Yap said that “Our drivers, mechanics and support staff strive to deliver a safe, reliable, and enjoyable transport experience every day for our Sydney customers, along with a balance of financial, environmental, and social sustainability.
“We are very pleased this has been recognised by the New South Wales Government with the renewal of these contracts and being awarded with another important region to manage.
