Connex

This article is about the public-transport company. For the Romanian phone company, see Connex GSM

Connex Corporate Logo

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.

Contents

1 Australia
2 Europe

2.1 United Kingdom
2.2 Other countries

3 Middle East
4 New Caledonia
5 New Zealand
6 North America
7 South America
8 India
9 External links

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

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 - operating Bombardier Transportation Talent (train) Class 93 BR643 Diesel Multiple Unit and buses in Rogaland and Finnmark
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