A GLOBAL transport payment company is to create 100 new North-East jobs after securing a new contract Down Under.

Cubic Transportation Systems (CTS) is to almost double its workforce at its Stockton-based global operations centre after securing a $35m contract in Sydney.

The firm will provide the technologies to help run the city’s transport network, with the goal of safer and more reliable journeys across all modes of travel.

The support for the software will be managed from the Stockton offices, where the team has just renewed a 10-year lease.

CTS, who have been at their Stockton site since 2004, manage transport across the UK and around the world and design and create payment systems that make travelling on public transport easier.

These include city-wide transportation projects in Chicago, San Francisco, Boston, New York, Brisbane and Sydney.

They are also behind contactless travel ticketing systems such as London’s Oyster card.

Craig Walton, IT operations manager at Cubic Transportation Systems, said: “The landmark project in Sydney, which will provide the city with one of the world’s most advanced transport management systems, will be largely managed out of the Stockton office.

“Running global projects, continuing to work closely with local universities and the signing of the 10-year lease indicates the faith we have in the region as a strong base of operations now and in the future.”

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “I’ve been following Cubic’s work since first visiting its Global Operations Centre earlier this year.

"I have been massively impressed with their work and delighted to see that they’ll be employing 100 additional staff.

"All of their hard work and success has bore fruit with these announcements – they have provided another jobs boost and their new ten-year lease shows a huge vote of confidence in the Tees Valley and our economy.

"This firm is at the forefront of some really exciting travel innovation and I can’t wait to hear what they have planned for the next ten years – and beyond.”

CTS opened its global operations centre in Stockton back in 2016.

Speaking at the time, Roger Crow, senior vice president and European managing director, said the organisation hasda lot of confidence in the Teesside area.

“Stockton is a good place. Cubic was established here and there is an excellent workforce.

“We have great ties with the universities in the area – Newcastle, Durham and York – and it makes a lot of sense to be based here.”