Israel's largest public transport tender is has attracted three bids for the privatization of 100 Egged and Dan bus lines in the Sharon region. Sources inform "Globes" that bids have been received from Connex, which is owned by global industrial giant Veolia Transportation Inc.; Kavim, owned by Jacob Shahar and Israel Kass' Mayer's Cars & Trucks Ltd. and Horn and Leibowitz; Metropolin, owned by Tour Bus Ltd., Automotive Equipment Ltd. and Etgal Ltd.
The is the largest tender ever published as part of the country's public transport reform and is believed to be worth NIS 600 million. These lines represent 2.2% of Egged's lines and 4.3% of Dan's. In addition to inter-city lines, the tender involves lines operated by Egged inside the cities of Kfar Saba, Ra'anana, Herzliya and Ramat Hasharon and lines operated inside Tel Aviv by Dan.
The tender is to operate these lines for six years, with an option for an additional six years.
The winning bid is expected to be announced by the end of the year and on completion 25% of Egged and Dan's lines would have been privatized, as required by the first stage of the reform.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on July 26, 2009
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