Australians looking at Tranz Scenic service

By DANIEL RIORDAN

All aboard, mate.

An Australian rural train operator has made the shortlist of bidders for Tranz Rail's long-haul passenger service Tranz Scenic.

Due diligence begins on Monday, with a month of carriage wheel kicking before final bids are due in early March.

A Tranz Rail spokeswoman declined to reveal the shortlist but said several of the organisations, from here and overseas, had an obvious ability to expand Tranz Scenic's services.

The Business Herald understands about five companies have made the list, including French transport operator Transdev and Australian rural rail operator West Coast Railway.

The privately owned Australian company runs a thrice-daily passenger service between Melbourne and Warrnambool - a distance of 267km.

Chief executive Don Gibson said his company ran a similar business to Tranz Scenic, owning its own trains and workshops, and was contracted to the Victorian Department of Infrastructure, which specified service requirements.

West Coast, like Tranz Scenic, has a sizeable tourist component alongside predominantly commuter services.

The company was formed in 1993 when the Victorian Government offered long-distance country rail services to private operators.

While several services were replaced by buses, West Coast Railway successfully tendered to maintain the southwest region's rail service.

Guthreys Coachlines, which runs bus links with Tranz Scenic, remains interested in the sale process although it is not shortlisted.