Connex

Connex is Europe's largest private public transport company.

In Britain, it runs passenger train services in South East London, Kent and parts of East Sussex, and many bus routes in London and the South East.

Once part of the old Southern Region and Network South East, this dense network of services runs into London Victoria[?], and to Charing Cross and Cannon Street via London Bridge. The company has become known for promising twelve-coach trains over a network with indequate electric power supplies, for gating and fencing stations to reduce freeloaders and vandalism, and for seeking to overcome capacity limitations by commissioning new trains with no on-board toilets. The franchise to operate these routes was due to run until 2006, but in June 2003 the Strategic Rail Authority[?] decided to cut the franchise short at the end of 2003 due to what it called "poor financial management".

Connex previously held the franchise for South Central, and is free to bid for future franchises, including the trans-Pennine franchise curently held by Arriva, which is due for renewal in September 2004.

In the Netherlands Connex consists of:

• BBA, buses in Noord-Brabant (except the east part), Tholen and northwest Utrecht (province)
• Connex SBM (Stadsbus Maastricht, city buses)
• Limex (formerly Arriva south-Limburg), buses
• BBA Fast Ferries Zeeland (Westerschelde ferry).

In Germany Connex offers some train services, several of a regional character and two long-distance services.

In Finland Connex owns Helsinki Metropolitan Area's bus company Connex Finland, which was previously Linjebuss.

The company, which is owned by Veolia Environnement[?], also operates train and bus services in Australia, many parts of the United States, several countries in the Middle East and Colombia.

Connex bus in Helsinki advertising Hesburger[?] fast food restaurant

External Links

• Connex international website (http://www.connex.net/)
• Connex UK website (http://www.connex.co.uk/)
• BBC News story on loss of the South East franchise (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/3024804.stm)

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Connex is also a GSM mobile phone operator in Romania

Corporate Website: Connex GSM Romania (http://www.connex.ro/)