CONNEX : Comprehensive Encyclopedia

Connex is a brand name of the international transport services division of the French-based multinational company Veolia Environnement. Connex has diverse road and rail operations acoss the globe, employing 55,000 workers worldwide.

In 2003, the group reported a 3.7 billion euro turnover, an increase of 7.3% in comparison to 2002.

Australia

A Connex train in Melbourne, Australia.

In Australia Connex has changed its name to the same as its French parent company's, Veolia in January 2006. Branding on buses and trains is being changed to reflect this position.

Connex also operates Sydney's Metro Light Rail and Metro Monorail networks under a contract from Metro Transport Sydney, and a large bus network (previously Southtrans) in the southern suburbs. This includes 34 routes and special services to primary and secondary schools. As of April 2006, Connex NSW is now Veolia NSW.
In Perth, Connex operates the Southern Coast Transit bus line.
In Brisbane operates as Veolia Brisbane (formerly Connex Brisbane), using the former National Bus Company's fleet.
Connex Melbourne was not changed due to Connex being such a strong brand. After re-neogiation of the contract in 2004, it is now Connex/Veolia Transport's largest contract in the world ^[1]

Europe

United Kingdom

Bebb Travel
Dunn Line
Connex South Central (now defunct)
Connex South Eastern (now defunct - Connex lost its franchises in 2003, after the Strategic Rail Authority terminated its South Eastern franchise for alleged financial mismanagement. In 2005, the National Audit Office, a Parliament appointed official body, cleared the company of any financial wrong-doing.

Connex South Central and South Eastern were generally loathed by its passengers, who faced a deteriorating service quality, extensive delays and massive overcrowding.

It also owned Connex Bus which in 2004 was sold to the National Express Group and now trades as Travel London. Ironically this included routes and buses that were part of the original Travel London business which Connex had acquired through a small independent operator, Limebourne, who had bought the original Travel London business.

Other countries

In Belgium, Connex operates under contract to the government owned de Lijn.

A Connex bus in Helsinki advertising Hesburger

In the Czech Republic Connex is the largest bus operator, after a 2002 take-over of the Slezsko regional network in Silesia. Connex runs 12 urban transport networks and three travel agencies. In also runs an international train service between the Czech Republic and Germany

In Denmark Connex runs half of the transport operations of the privatised Combus.
In Estonia Connex operates a bus network in the city of Tartu.
In Finland Connex owns Helsinki Metropolitan Area's bus company Connex Finland, which was previously Linjebuss.
In France, Connex is to buy 28% of the SNCM (Société Nationale Maritime Corse Méditerranée), a state-owned ferry company. The company operates bus and tramway services in many towns across the country (Bordeaux, Toulouse, Lyon, Nice...)

The Bayerische Oberlandbahn near Munich is operated by Connex.

In Germany Veolia Verkehr, former Connex Verkehr, offers train services, several of a regional character such as the Bayerische Oberlandbahn from Munich, and two long-distance services. A number of bus companies, mostly in rural areas, are also owned.
In Ireland Connex operates the Luas tramway in Dublin, which started operations in June 2004. Connex Transport Ireland changed its name to Veolia Transport Ireland in April 2006.
In the Netherlands Connex consists of:
- BBA, buses in Noord-Brabant (except the east part), Tholen and northwest Utrecht (province)
- Connex SBM (Stadsbus Maastricht, city buses)
- Limex (formerly Arriva south-Limburg), buses
- BBA Fast Ferries Zeeland (Westerschelde ferry).
In Norway - Buses in Rogaland, Nordland and Finnmark, ferries in Finnmark as well as the Trondheim Tram.
In Poland Connex owns a number of bus companies.
In Slovenia
In Spain
In Sweden, Connex is contracted by the Stockholm County Council to run the Stockholm Metro. Connex also runs the long distance trains from Gothenburg and Stockholm to Northern Sweden, as well as several local bus lines on contract of local authorities.
In Jersey

Middle East

In Israel, Connex operates intercity bus routes originating in the cities of Ashdod and Tiberias formerly run by Egged Bus Cooperative at higher prices.

New Caledonia

In New Caledonia Connex created and runs the suburban bus network of Noumea

New Zealand

In New Zealand, Connex Auckland changed its name to Veolia on 1 March 2006. It operates Auckland's MAXX commuter rail service in partnership with ARTA. the Auckland Regional Transport Authority

North America

Connex arrived in the United States in 2001, with the acquisition of Yellow Transportation in Baltimore, Md.

In Canada, Connex was awarded an operations and maintenance contract for the Viva bus rapid transit network in York Region (north of Toronto) for its first five years of service beginning in September 2005.

A "Viva" bus in York Region, Canada

In the United States, Connex subsidiary Massachusetts Bay Commuter Railroad Company operates Boston commuter rail services under contract to the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. In Southern California, Connex also operates Metrolink. Other clients include bus contracts in New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia, Washington DC, the Carolinas, Texas, California, and Colorado.
On September 1, 2005, Connex North America acquired ATC, making Connex-ATC the largest privately owned public transportation company in North America.

IN 2006, Connex-ATC changed its name to Veolia Transportation, acquired ShuttlePort, and won several contracts, including Las Vegas (NV), MESA (Az), Orange County (Ca), Antelope Valley (Ca) and the light rail system of Sprinter (Oceanside, Ca.).

It now employs over 15,000 employees with 6,500 vehicles and a revenue of approx. $ 900 M. in North America. Its executive team includes Olivier Brousse (chairman of Veolia Transportation North America, as well as overseeing Veolia Transportation's French operations), Terry van der Aa (CEO of VTNA), Rick Kreiter (President and COO) and Ron Hartman (Development VP). It is currently headquartered in Silver Spring, Md., but will move its operations to Lumbard, IL in December 2006.

South America

In Colombia Connex, in conjunction with three other operators, runs a 35-km right-of-way bus line called the Transmilenio system.

India

Connex is part of a consortium which is led by Anil Ambani's Reliance Energy Limited. Hong Kong MTR is the other partner. They will build the first corridor of the Mumbai Metrorail on the 11.4 kms stretch between Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar on the east-west corridor. The project is expected to begin by end of 2006, to be completed by 2009.

Criticisms

A tramline being built by Connex/Veolia will run between Israeli settlements in occupied East Jerusalem. The settlements, which have been built on annexed Palestinian land, are illegal under the Fourth Geneva Convention. If completed, the Israeli tramline will permanently link Jewish-only settlements such as Pisgat Ze’ev, French Hill, Neve Ya’akov and Gilo, to Israeli West Jerusalem, thereby cementing Israel’s hold on occupied East Jerusalem.

External links

^ Veolia Environment Australia 2004 Sustainable Development report, http://www.connexaustralia.com.au/sustain/pdf/sd_report_2004.pdf, page 57

Connex North America
Connex International
Connex Czech Republic]
Connex Germany
Connex UK
Connex Netherlands
Connex Denmark A/S
Connex Melbourne (Australia)
Veolia Transport NSW (Australia)
Connex Auckland (New Zealand)
Connex Ireland (VeoliaTransport Ireland)
Connex Israel (Israel)
Veolia Environnement
ATC-NEC (merger)
Veolia Transportation (North America)

CONNEX

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