200003 – Warwick – Privatisation the Thiess Infraco Way

On the 29th August 1999 the Victorian public transport system was privatised.
– Bayside Trains, Swanston Trams and V/Line Pass were franchised to National Express.
– Hillside Trains were franchised to Melbourne Transport Limited.
– Yarra Trams were franchised to Metro Link.

With the announcement that National Express Group had won the bid for Bayside Trains, Swanston Trams and V/Line Passenger, the long process to make the new venture viable had begun.

A joint venture between Thiess Contractors and RSA provide such services as to enable the best management possible of the assets.

Thiess Infraco has an alliance contract with National Express Group to maintain the
infrastructure for Bayside Trains and Swanston Trams. Risks are carried by the party in the best
position to do so, with profits dependent on achieving Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s) specified in the contract.

In the first six months of privatisation, the signals & communications department has been involved in the following: –
– Thiess Infraco set up as a brand new company responsible for management of the Infrastructure.
– Rationalisation of maintenance sections.
– Introduction of new business processes from Thiess Contractors communicated to staff via induction courses.
– Consolidation of the Tram and Train activities within one ‘seamless’ organisation.
– Implementing National Express’s business and asset management plans detailed in the bid. These were developed for National Express by the joint venture (Thiess I RSA).

From the signal & communications perspective, the present and future holds a change to the previous way we performed our business to incorporate efficiencies to ensure the business is viable. The following is how Thiess Infraco is tackling these changes.