Transdev to Operate Edmonton’s Valley Line Light Rail Expansion

February 22, 2016 — Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Transdev to Operate Edmonton’s Valley Line Light Rail Expansion

The TransEd Partners Consortium has been chosen to design, build, operate, maintain and finance stage one of Edmonton’s Valley Line LRT (Light Rail Transit) for a $1.8 billion comprehensive PPP project. As the consortium’s operational partner, Transdev will oversee all aspects of operations for the Valley Line LRT including developing the operations plan and all operating procedures, delivering training, and providing day-to-day management of the system.

The Valley Line is an expansion of Edmonton’s already impressive light rail system. The city and Edmonton Transit System have an ambitious plan to branch out the light rail system in six directions over the next 25 years to link the outer edges of the city with City Center. By 2040, when the planned system is complete, Edmonton’s population will have more than doubled.

Phase one of the project involves building 11 street-level stops and a new station at Davies for a 13.1- kilometer LRT line, which will connect the busy Mill Woods Town Centre (Southeast of the City) to existing stops in Edmonton’s bustling City Center. These new connections will allow for added transit access and usability throughout greater Edmonton. Project construction will begin in 2016 and the service is expected to begin in 2020. The contract award to TransEd Partners includes operations and maintenance of the Valley LRT Line service for 30 years after construction is complete.

The Valley Line will feature street-level stops and low-floor vehicles that will allow for seamless integration into Edmonton’s existing transportation infrastructure. Many attractive features of the service were added after an extensive series of public engagements soliciting feedback. In addition to attractive shelters, a new pedestrian bridge will be built at Cloverdale as part of stage 1, providing added transit access for pedestrians and cyclists.

“We are honored to be TransEd’s operational partner for this project and are excited to bring new mobility options to the people of Edmonton. We thank the TransEd team for trusting Transdev to deliver this excellent service,” said Ken Westbrook, Transdev’s President and COO of the North American Rail Division.

The second stage of the Valley Line LRT will include a new 14-kilometer line, which will expand to Lewis Farms Transit Centre west of the City, allowing for 30-minute travel into the City Center.

About TransEd Partners Consortium
TransEd Partners Consortium includes world leaders in delivering large, complex, public-private partnership (P3) infrastructure projects. A P3 arrangement transfers to the private sector significant risks for budget, schedule or performance delays, as well as ongoing maintenance and operations. The team comprises: Fengate Capital Management, Bechtel, Ellis-Don, and Bombardier. Other key team members include Transdev, ARUP, and IBI Group.