EXCLUSIVE

Rail operator Metro has terminated lucrative contracts with a transport tycoon who allegedly cheated his workers out of hundreds of thousands of dollars in wages and entitlements.

Embattled businessman Ray Evans has been hit with a Federal Court lawsuit over large-scale workplace law violations concerning multiple labour-hire firms he controlled.

Mr Evans owned or directed at least three companies understood to have supplied specialist diesel train drivers to Metro to carry out track maintenance for the past four years.

Fairfax Media has confirmed that Metro had formal contract deals with two of his companies, but the deals have since been dumped by the rail operator.