Keolis, the operator of “shared mobility,” has won the operation and maintenance of Dublin’s tram network, replacing Transdev, which has been present for over 20 years. In February, it won the extension of its contract for the Virginia Railway Express in the United States.
Keolis has just achieved significant international victories. The subsidiary of the SNCF group, which operates 26 public transport networks (buses, trams, trains, etc.) in 14 countries, has been chosen to operate and maintain Luas, the iconic tram network in Dublin, Ireland. For this contract, which could exceed 1.3 billion euros, the joint venture KeolisAmey (65% owned by Keolis and 35% by Amey) will take the lead. It will replace Transdev, which has been operating the network since 2004.
“This contract will start on September 1, 2026, for an initial duration of seven years, with an extension option of up to six additional years. The Keolis Group will work closely with the outgoing operator to ensure a smooth transition for passengers and the 680 network employees,” read a statement.
“We will bring our expertise and best practices to provide an excellent service on the network and enhance the attractiveness of public transport in the capital,” said Laurence Broseta, Keolis’ International General Manager.
In February, the operator retained the operation and maintenance of the Virginia Railway Express in the United States for at least five more years. “These suburban trains, connecting Northern Virginia, the District of Columbia, and downtown Washington DC, were the first to be operated by Keolis in the United States starting in 2010,” the group explained. These trains transport 1.2 million passengers per year, and the contract amount has not been disclosed. “We won this contract after a highly competitive tender process,” added the responsible person.
In 2025, Keolis achieved a turnover of 7.1 billion euros (down by 7.4% from the previous year) with an Ebitda of 565 million. “Commercial successes in France and internationally partially offset the impact of contract portfolio changes (loss of Yarra Trams network in Melbourne and heavy mode, metro, in Lyon), demonstrating the strength of Keolis’ position in urban and peri-urban mobility markets,” said SNCF.
