Keolis Downer
Keolis Downer is a joint venture between Keolis, the largest private sector French transport group, and Downer Rail, an Australian railway engineering company, that operates bus and tram services in Australia.
![]() | |
Type | Joint venture |
---|---|
Industry | Public transport |
Founded | 30 November 2009 |
Headquarters | North Ryde |
Area served | Australia |
Key people | Julien Dehornoy (CEO) |
Products | Bus, Train, Tram and Ferry operations |
Owner | Keolis (51%) Downer Rail (49%) |
Subsidiaries | G:link Hornibrook Bus Lines Keolis Downer Northern Beaches LinkSA Newcastle Transport Path Transit SouthLink Yarra Trams |
Website |
History

In June 2009, the Victorian government awarded to Keolis Downer the franchise to operate the Melbourne tram network in Melbourne, Australia[1] for eight years, starting in November 2009.[2][3] In September 2017, having substantially met performance criteria, the franchise was extended until 30 November 2024.[4] Keolis Downer operates the Melbourne tram network under the Yarra Trams name, which had been used by the previous operator TransdevTSL.[5][6][7]
In July 2014, Keolis Downer began operating the G:link tram operation on the Gold Coast.[7][8] In March 2015, Keolis Downer purchased bus operator Australian Transit Enterprises, which operated the Hornibrook Bus Lines, LinkSA, Path Transit and SouthLink operations with 930 buses.[9]
Keolis Downer, trading as Newcastle Transport took over the Newcastle Buses & Ferries operation in July 2017. It began operating the Newcastle Light Rail in February 2019.[10][11][12]
In January 2021, Keolis Downer began an eight-year contract to operate the Adelaide Metro rail network.[13][14][15]
In October 2021, Keolis Downer Northern Beaches began an eight-year contract to operate Region 8, the Northern Beaches and Lower North Shore, of the Sydney Metropolitan Bus Service Contracts.[16] Keolis Downer has operated on-demand services in the area since November 2017.[17][18]
Operations
New South Wales
- Newcastle Transport - Bus services in Newcastle, Stockton ferry service and Newcastle Light Rail services
- Keolis Downer, Northern Beaches - Region 8 contract
- Keoride - Northern Beaches on-demand bus service
Queensland
- G:link - light rail in Gold Coast
- Hornibrook Bus Lines - bus services in the Redcliffe Peninsula
South Australia
- LinkSA - in the Adelaide Hills, Barossa Valley, Mid-Murray, Murraylands and Victor Harbor regions
- SouthLink - bus services in Adelaide under its Adelaide Metro Hills contract
- Adelaide Metro rail services
Western Australia
- Path Transit - bus services in Perth and Geraldton.
Victoria
- Yarra Trams - trams in Melbourne
References
- Melbourne tram and train operators selected Railway Gazette International 25 June 2009
- "Melbourne operators selected" Railway Gazette International August 2009 page 12
- Cooper, Mex (25 June 2009). "New train, tram operators for Melbourne". The Age. Retrieved 25 June 2013.
- Keolis Downer retains contract to operate world's largest tram network Metro Report International 12 September 2017
- New train, tram operators for Melbourne The Age 25 June 2009
- KDR starts as new Yarra Trams operator Archived 18 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine Downer Group 30 November 2009
- Keolis Australia Archived 22 March 2015 at the Wayback Machine Keolis
- The Consortium G:link
- Operator ATE Sold Australasian Bus & Coach 11 March 2015
- Keolis Downer awarded contract to run light rail, buses and ferries says Baird government Newcastle Herald 12 December 2016
- It's a date - free community open day for Newcastle Light Rail on 17 February Transport for NSW 31 January 2019
- Light rail in Newcastle opening from Monday 18 February Transport for NSW 3 February 2019
- Keolis Downer awarded $2.14 billion contract to run Adelaide's passenger train network ABC News 18 September 2020
- Keolis Downer awarded $2.14bn Adelaide train operations contract Rail Express 18 September 20202
- "Adelaide Metro Rail". Keolis Downer. Retrieved 28 May 2021.
- "New Bus Operator to Electrify Fleet". Transport for NSW. 28 May 2021. Retrieved 28 May 2021.
- "Northern Beaches". Keoride. Archived from the original on 19 March 2020. Retrieved 28 May 2021.
- "Keolis Downer partners with TfNSW to deliver innovative transport solutions in Sydney's Northern beaches as the future bus operator". Keolis Downer. 28 May 2021. Retrieved 28 May 2021.