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Almost 100 leading figures from the rail, engineering industry attended a successful Market Update event organised by Nexus to take forward its Metro: All Change investment programme. Nexus is investing more than £320 million in Metro over the next decade to modernise the Tyne and Wear light rail network used by 40 million passengers every year. A contract to operate, maintain and refurbish trains and manage stations will be offered from April 2010, within a detailed performance specification set down by Nexus. Private sector rail operators and expected to compete with a bid from the current Metro management team. Nexus will continue to own Metro and manage the network, but may appoint private contractors for the delivery of some services if this offers best value to the taxpayer and improved service standards. The Market Update event, at St James’ Park in Newcastle, offered industry figures a chance to find out more about opportunities to bid for work with Nexus in the future. Bernard Garner, Director General of Nexus, said: “It was clear from today’s event there is huge interest in our plans across the European rail and engineering industry. “Metro: All Change is one of the biggest investment programmes in the UK rail network, with £350 million invested in modernisation and millions more spent on operating the system. “Metro is not being privatised. Nexus will still own Metro and set the service specification, but it is right we test whether the private sector, acting as contractors to Nexus, can provide better value to the taxpayer, who is funding all of this.” Metro: All Change will see Nexus invest £320 million directly in modernisation of 45 stations, plus structures and infrastructure it owns across the network. Mr Garner added: “There are opportunities for the private sector to work with Nexus right across Metro – from bidding for the operating contract to becoming involved in the many construction and engineering contracts that will make up Metro: All Change. “We have a strong track record in managing investment programmes already under way and completed, such as the £7 million refurbishment of Sunderland station, £20 million rebuilding of Haymarket station and £3.2 million new Simonside station. All these projects have involved private sector partners and contractors.” Nexus is due to seek expressions of interest in the operating contract later this year, with a full tendering process during 2009 before it selects a winning bidder. It is investing £50 million in modernisation up to 2010 – Phase 1 of Metro: All Change, ahead of the major capital programmes starting in 2010.
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