What KeolisAmey Metrolink does

KeolisAmey Metrolink (KAM) is a privately held joint venture between France-based Keolis and UK-based Amey, formed in July 2017 to operate and maintain the Metrolink tram network on behalf of Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM). The company delivers passenger tram services across the UK's largest light rail network, spanning 103 km of track and 99 stops serving Bury, Altrincham, Oldham, Rochdale, Ashton, East Didsbury, Manchester Airport, and The Trafford Centre. Its asset base includes a fleet of 147 Bombardier trams maintained by in-house engineers, and it carries over 46 million passenger journeys per year, with October 2024 setting an all-time monthly record of 4.2 million passengers since the system's 1992 inception.

KAM's product portfolio comprises tram driver services, engineering and fleet maintenance, customer service operations, corporate support functions (planning, IT, finance, HR, safety), and structured apprenticeship programmes. The core technology is the Bombardier tram fleet and supporting electrical and depot infrastructure, with no disclosed proprietary software or AI capabilities. The business operates as part of the integrated Bee Network initiative, aligning fares, branding, and ticketing with TfGM.

Revenue is generated through two streams: contract operations under the TfGM concession (managed services) and passenger fare revenue (transaction-based, with fares set by TfGM). KAM's only material B2B client is TfGM, a public-sector authority, creating a single-counterparty revenue concentration. End-user demand is highly distributed across daily commuters, students, event attendees at venues such as Co-op Live and Old Trafford, and airport travellers. Indirect GTM is conducted via a dedicated careers website (metrolinkjobs.co.uk), Instagram (@LifeAtKAM), community engagement events, and partnerships with 60+ schools and colleges, alongside charity partnerships with organisations including Barnabus and the Manchester Deaf Centre.

Name

KeolisAmey Metrolink

Legal name

KeolisAmey Metrolink

Website

https://metrolinkjobs.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

KeolisAmey Metrolink is a Keolis-Amey joint venture that operates and maintains the UK's largest light rail network on behalf of Transport for Greater Manchester, running 147 trams across 103 km and 99 stops to serve over 46 million passenger journeys annually.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Light Rail Transit Services

NAICS

Urban Transit Systems (4851), Urban Transit Systems (48511)

SIC

Local & Suburban Transit & Interurban Hwy Passenger Trans (4100), Transportation Services (4700)

akta.pro primary industry

Tram/Streetcar Operators (TLAFAEAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Tram/Streetcar Operators (THAIABAC), Metro/Urban Rail Operators (Integrated Multimodal Agencies) (TLAFAEAG)

Keywords

• Tram network operations
• Light rail services
• Public transport operations
• Rail fleet maintenance
• Transit network management

Headquarters

HQ city

Manchester

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Passenger Fare Revenue: Revenue generated from over 46 million passenger journeys annually on the Metrolink tram network, including standard fares, day tickets, and travel passes.
2. Contract Operations: Operating and maintaining the Metrolink network under contract with Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) as part of the Bee Network initiative.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

KeolisAmey Metrolink (KAM) operates and maintains the UK's largest light rail tram network in Greater Manchester under a joint venture between Keolis and Amey, in partnership with Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) and the Bee Network. The service runs across 103km of track and 99 tram stops using a fleet of 147 Bombardier trams, carrying over 46 million passenger journeys annually.

Product overview

KeolisAmey Metrolink operates as a joint venture between Keolis and Amey to manage the UK's largest light rail tram network in Greater Manchester. The company provides integrated tram operations including driver services, engineering and maintenance of 147 Bombardier trams, customer service operations, and corporate support functions. They work in partnership with Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) and the Bee Network, serving over 46 million journeys annually across 103km of track and 99 stops. The portfolio includes operational roles (drivers, engineering, customer service), support functions (IT, finance, HR, safety), and apprenticeship programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Metrolink Tram Network Operation & Maintenance Core passenger tram service operating the UK's largest light rail network across 103km of track with 99 stops, serving over 46 million passenger journeys annually across Greater Manchester, including routes to Bury, Altrincham, Oldham, Rochdale, Ashton, East Didsbury, Manchester Airport, and The Trafford Centre.
• Engineering & Fleet Maintenance Services In-house engineering services maintaining the 147-tram Bombardier fleet, electrical systems, overhead lines, and associated rail infrastructure across the Metrolink network.

Quantifiable outcome

• Record-breaking 4.2 million passengers in October 2024 - highest monthly total since Metrolink began in 1992
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Keolis and Amey (Joint Venture)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2017KeolisAmey Metrolink is a joint venture between Keolis and Amey, bringing global expertise to operate and maintain the Metrolink network in partnership with TfGM since July 2017. Both parent companies contribute operational expertise in rail and infrastructure management.
• Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTfGM is the public transport authority that contracts KAM to operate and maintain the Metrolink network. KAM works with TfGM as part of the Bee Network initiative to deliver safe, reliable journeys every day.
• Bee NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMetrolink is part of Greater Manchester's Bee Network, an initiative to integrate public transport across the region under a unified brand and ticketing system.
• BarnabusminorOthersCommunity partnership supporting people experiencing homelessness. KAM team has participated in Manchester Dragon Boat Race and Inflatable 5k to raise funds and awareness.
• Manchester Deaf CentreminorOthersCommunity partnership building trust through fundraising, colleague training, and volunteering events.
• Manchester Sensory ServiceminorOthersCommunity partnership working with the sensory service for inclusive community engagement.
• Trafford CollegeminorOthersEducational partnership at Altrincham and Stretford campuses engaging with new and returning students about responsible travel, covering ticketing and safety.
• The Manchester CollegeminorOthersHosted first student-led fashion show in partnership with Barnabus featuring repurposed lost property from the tram network.
• Greater Manchester Good Employment CharterminorOthersKAM is a supporter of the Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter, committed to great work and fair treatment for everyone.
• Disability ConfidentminorOthersKAM supports Disability Confident scheme, helping create a more inclusive workplace and recruitment practices.
• Armed Forces CovenantminorOthersKAM proudly supports ex-Armed Forces personnel and their families, offering rewarding career pathways recognising the unique skills they bring to the industry.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Sheffield Supertram: Operates the Sheffield tram network in South Yorkshire under a public-sector contract. Comparable to KAM as a UK light rail operator delivering scheduled passenger tram services to a regional metropolitan area.
• West Midlands Metro: Operates the West Midlands tram network between Birmingham and Wolverhampton under contract to Transport for West Midlands. A directly comparable UK light rail operator with similar contract structure, fare regulation, and urban transit mission to KAM.
• Edinburgh Trams: Operator of the Edinburgh tram network in Scotland — a directly comparable UK light rail operator running scheduled passenger tram services under contract with a regional transport authority, with similar operational scope to KAM's Metrolink.
• Nottingham Express Transit (NET): Light rail/tram operator serving Greater Nottingham, contracted by a local transport authority. Operates a similar tram-based passenger service model to KAM, serving commuters, students, and shoppers in a UK regional city.
• Tyne and Wear Metro (Nexus): Operates the Tyne and Wear Metro light rail/metro system serving Newcastle, Sunderland, and surrounding areas via Nexus. A comparable UK urban rail operator with similar scale and contract-based operations to KAM's Metrolink.

Regional players

• Merseyrail: Operates the Merseyrail commuter rail network in the Liverpool City Region under contract to Merseytravel. Comparable as a UK regional rail operator with a similar contract-and-fare model, though running heavier rail rather than trams.

Broad incumbents

• Go-Ahead Group: UK and international transport operator with bus and rail franchises including the Southeastern and Govia Thameslink franchises. Comparable as a contract-based UK public transport operator with managed-services revenue exposure similar to KAM.
• FirstGroup: Major UK transport operator running bus and rail franchises including open-access and contracted services. A broad incumbent in UK public transport with a contract-driven model comparable in some respects to KAM's managed-services approach.
• Keolis UK: UK arm of KAM's parent company Keolis, operating multiple rail, tram, and bus franchises across the UK. Directly comparable through shared ownership and a portfolio of contracted public transport services, though broader in scope than KAM.
• Stagecoach Group: UK transport operator running bus, coach, and previously rail franchises under contract to local authorities. Comparable as a contracted regional transport operator serving UK city-regions, though predominantly bus-focused.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/lifeatkam
• Xx.com/KAMetrolink

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about KeolisAmey Metrolink