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KEOLIS News
Keolis expands its footprint in China and wins a new tram contract
Keolis’ Chinese joint venture (JV), Shanghai Keolis1 was awarded a new five-year contract by the public transport authority of Jiaxing, forming a new joint venture called Shenjia2 with the authority to operate and maintain the city’s new tram network. Jiaxing is one of the most densely populated city in China’s eastern coastal province of Zhejiang.
![Keolis expands its footprint in China and wins a new tram contract](/storage/Press Files/03/39/41/33941-11121223366.jpg)
Scheduled to open 1 July 2021, the catenary-free network is the province’s first tram system and will serve Jiaxing’s 4.65 million inhabitants.
As the first Keolis-operated public transport network in China outside Shanghai, this new contract expands the company’s Chinese footprint, positioning it to meet growing demand for urban mobility and enhancing its status as a world leader in tram operation and maintenance.
"We are delighted that Jiaxing Tram Co, our new PTA partner, has entrusted us with the Jiaxing tram contract. We’ll draw on our track record operating the tram network in Songjiang, as well as our international experience in Australia, Canada, France, Norway and the UK. Our goal is to provide an outstanding mobility option to Jiaxing residents and visitors and to reduce traffic congestion and pollution by offering a safe, reliable alternative to private cars" Bernard Tabary, CEO International at Keolis Group
Second Keolis-operated tram network in China
The Jiaxing tram network is designed to become the city’s go-to public transport option.
As the first tram network in Zhejiang province, it will help create an integrated rail transport option in the bustling Yangtze River Delta, one of China’s three great metropolitan regions.
The catenary-free network will have two lines spanning a total of 15.6 km and 26 stations, including Jiaxing regional train station and Jiaxing South for high-speed rail. A total of 20 trams made by CRRC will run on it, with daily ridership expected to reach 50,000 passengers a day.
With the need for shared mobility on the rise, a third line will be added in 2023, bringing the total to 35.7 km of line, 55 stations and 45 trams.
Shanghai Keolis will manage the new company set up to operate and maintain the new Jiaxing tram network. Plans include the recruitment of 200 new employees including drivers, maintenance technicians and customer support staff. Drawing on its experience operating the Songjiang tram network, Shanghai Keolis will train the new employees.
Keolis reinforces its presence in China
Shanghai Keolis was created in June 2014 and counts some 400 employees today. In addition to the Jiaxing tram network, this JV also operates:
The first automated metro line in Shanghai since March 2018,
The Songjiang tram network in the suburban district of Shanghai since December 2018,
The automated Shanghai Pudong International Airport since September 2019.
A world leader in tram operations
Keolis international footprint features 26 tram networks.
Networks currently in service:
Australia (Gold Coast, Melbourne and Newcastle), Canada (Waterloo), China (Shanghai), Denmark (Aarhus), Norway (Bergen), the United Kingdom (Manchester and Nottingham), and in 12 cities in France (Besançon, Bordeaux, Caen, Dijon, Le Mans3, Lille, Lyon, Nancy, Orléans, Greater Paris, Strasbourg3, and Tours).
Networks under construction:
Denmark (Odense), France (Paris region), Qatar (Lusail) and China (Jiaxing).
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