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Image of ferry on Sydney Harbour.

Special Commission of Inquiry into Sydney Ferries (Walker Report)

Timetable for market process

On 21 October 2008 the Premier announced the Government's response (69 kb PDF) to the 17 recommendations made by the Special Commission of Inquiry into Sydney Ferries (1.96 Mb PDF). To implement these recommendations, the Government is undertaking a market process to test the prospects offered by the private sector against the prospects offered by continuing with Sydney Ferries.

The Expression of Interest Stage 1 commenced in December 2008 with the Government inviting the private sector to put forward their ideas about the contractual arrangements they think would deliver the best value for money and service outcomes for taxpayers.

Submissions for Stage 1 were received from the following organisations:

  • Austal Ships Pty Ltd
  • Comfortdelgro Cabcharge
  • Forgacs Engineering Pty Ltd
  • John Holland Pty Ltd
  • P&O Maritime Services Pty Ltd
  • Serco Group Pty Ltd
  • Sydney City Marine Pty Ltd
  • Transdev TSL Pty Ltd
  • Transit Systems Australia
  • Veolia Transport Australasia Pty Ltd

The Expression of Interest Stage 2 commenced in February 2009 and will shortlist potential tenderers with the aim of a new contract commencing by the end of 2009.

Submissions on EOI Stage 2 were received from the following organisations:

  • Comfortdelgro Cabcharge Pty Ltd
  • John Holland Pty Ltd
  • Transdev TSL Pty Ltd
  • Transit Systems Pty Ltd
  • Veolia Transport Australasia Pty Ltd

The Request for Tenders (RFT) process commenced in June 2009, with the Government issuing Tender documents to the shortlisted bidders, Veolia Transport Australasia Pty Ltd and Transdev TSL Pty Ltd. Tender responses need to be lodged by 21 August 2009.

In the meantime, Sydney Ferries will continue providing services and if no other operator can exceed the performance benchmark set by Sydney Ferries, then Sydney Ferries will be awarded the contract.

Key steps for market testing

Step Date
Release of EOI documentation 10 December 2008
Bidder information sessions 2-13 February 2009
Further EOI advice issued 26 February 2009
EOI close 26 March 2009
Release of tender documents to short listed parties 1 June 2009
Tender close 21 August 2009
Tender advised and contracting finalised November/December 2009

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