First Group has been awarded its first US rail contract for a commuter line in Texas.
The UK-based bus and rail operator will run and maintain the 21 mile A-train service, which connects Denton and Dallas counties in the state of Texas.
The contract is due to start on October 1 and will run for nine years. First expects revenues of around $9 million a year.
The A-train service between Denton and the DART Green Line station at Trinity Mills was launched in 2011. It is operated using a fleet of 11 Stadler GTW 2/6 diesel multiple-units, has five stations and carries more than 500 000 passengers/year.
First added the US rail sector offers a number of potential opportunities in a market that is increasingly focused on outsourcing.
Tim O’Toole, First Group CEO: “We are very pleased that the Denton County Transit Authority has awarded us the contract for A-train service; our first rail contract in North America.
“This contract for A-train service represents an exciting new development for the Group and we welcome the opportunity to develop and share our rail expertise with a progressive partner such as the Denton County Transportation Authority.
“Our US rail team blends our significant experience in rail in the UK with North American transit expertise in both rail and bus. We look forward to building on this success as we explore further opportunities in the sector,” said O’Toole.
Sign up to BBT’s twice-weekly newsletter