Baker & McKenzie has advised leading public transport company Keolis on the project management, legal risk management and execution of an agreement that sees the company retain the operating contract for bus services in Lidingö and Stockholm City.

The award of this important public infrastructure project enables Keolis to invest in a more environmentally friendly bus fleet and work with the local contracting authority SL to increase the volume and satisfaction of travellers. The contract is worth EUR 1.4 billion and is valid for eight years, with a four year extension.

The legal team was led by the Stockholm office's energy, mining and infrastructure group. Partner Sylvia Lindén led the team, assisted by associate Sofia Gunnarsson.

"We are seeing an increasing need from the market and from our clients to manage complex projects, involving a variety of legal and commercial issues, not least in the area of transport and transport infrastructure," says Sten Bauer, Managing Partner at Baker & McKenzie in Stockholm.

The project involves the creation of an organization and traffic management process that will contribute to the reduction of Stockholm’s inner city traffic levels. Furthermore, Keolis is to invest in 200 new buses in 2014/ 2015. Of these, 70 will be hybrids to reduce emissions and noise, contributing to a better environment and reduced noise levels. All new buses have engines that meet stricter environmental standards (Euro 6) and the entire bus fleet will run on renewable fuels.