Arriva

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Arriva
TypeSubsidiary
Arriva
IndustryTransport
Founded1938; 83 years ago (1938)
FounderThomas Cowie
HeadquartersSunderland, England
Area served
Europe
Key people
Mike Cooper (CEO)
ServicesBus, ferry & rail services
Revenue€5.35 billion (December 2017)
€569 million (December 2017)
OwnerDeutsche Bahn
Number of employees
61,845 (September 2018)
DivisionsArriva UK Bus
Arriva UK Trains
Mainland Europe
SubsidiariesList of Subsidiaries
Websitewww.arriva.co.uk

Arriva PLC is a British multinational public transport company headquartered in Sunderland, England and owned by Deutsche Bahn.[1] It was established in 1938 as T Cowie Ltd. and through a number of mergers and acquisitions was rebranded Arriva in 1997 and became a subsidiary of Deutsche Bahn in 2010. Arriva operates bus, coach, train, tram and waterbus services in 14 countries across Europe. As of September 2018, it employed 61,845 people and operated 2.4 billion passenger journeys annually.[2] It operates as three divisions: UK Bus, UK Rail and Mainland Europe.[3] Deutsche Bahn announced in 2019 they wished to sell Arriva, but the sale was placed on hold as of November in that year.

History[]

Previous Arriva logo used from 1997 to 2017. The "A DB company" byline was added in 2010
Arriva Kent and Surrey Alexander Dennis Enviro200 MMC in October 2018 in the 2018 livery
Arriva North West Wright Eclipse Gemini bodied Volvo B7TL in Liverpool in March 2013 in the Interurban livery
Arriva North West & Wales Wright Cadet bodied VDL SB120 in September 2007 in the livery introduced when the Arriva brand was launched in 1997

The company was founded by T. S. K. Cowie in Sunderland in 1938 as a second-hand motorcycle dealer trading as T. Cowie Limited.[4] In 1948 the business was re-launched by Tom Cowie, the founder's son, still selling motorcycles.[5] T Cowie plc was floated in December 1964, and in 1965 it bought out the first of many car dealerships.[6]

In 1972 it formed Cowie Contract Hire, which became the largest contract hire business in the UK.[5] In 1980 T. Cowie made its first foray into bus operations, buying the Grey-Green operation in London from the George Ewer Group.[4][7]

In 1984 T. Cowie p.l.c. acquired the Hanger Group, which included Interleasing, a large vehicle leasing business.[5][8] Further leasing companies acquired were Marley Leasing,[9] RoyScot Drive[10] and Ringway Leasing.[7] Following the retirement of Tom Cowie, the company was renamed Cowie Group plc in April 1994.[1]

As part of the privatisation of London bus services, Cowie Group acquired the Leaside Buses and South London Transport business units in September 1994 and January 1995.[11]

Cowie p.l.c. bought United Automobile Services and British Bus in July and August 1996, both of which had acquired a number of privatised bus companies.[4][12] As a result of these transactions, in October 1996 Cowie Group was reclassified on the stock exchange from a motor dealer to a transport group.[13]

In November 1997 the company was rebranded as Arriva p.lc.[4] In that year it also bought Unibus in Denmark, its first venture outside the United Kingdom.[4]

In June 1999 Arriva sold its vehicle-hire business to General Motors.[8][14] In February 2000 Arriva purchased MTL Holdings, which included its first UK rail franchises, Merseyrail Electrics and Northern Spirit.[4][15][16] In 2002/03 Arriva sold its motor-retailing businesses[17] and in February 2006 it sold its vehicle-rental business to Northgate.[18] In April 2008 the LNWR train maintenance business in England was acquired.[19]

In 2010 it was reported that the government-owned railway companies of France (SNCF) and Germany (Deutsche Bahn) were considering making takeover bids for the business.[20][21] SNCF subsidiary Keolis and Arriva entered discussions regarding a merger,[22] but in April 2010 Deutsche Bahn made a takeover offer for Arriva at £7.75 a share (£1.585 billion).[23][24] The takeover was approved by the European Commission in August 2010, conditional on Deutsche Bahn disposing of some Arriva services in Germany.[25] The takeover took effect on 27 August 2010,[26][27] and Arriva was delisted from the London Stock Exchange on 31 August 2010.[28]

In late 2011 Arriva acquired Grand Central[29][30] and sold its Arriva Scotland West bus operation.[31][32] In May 2013 Arriva purchased Veolia Transport's Central European business with 3,400 vehicles.[33][34][35]

Arriva changed its logo in January 2018.[36]

In March 2019, DB announced that it would be selling Arriva through either a sale or possible public flotation and invited companies interested in acquiring it to register expressions of interest by 3 May,[37] but by mid-November the sale was placed on hold.[38]

Current operations[]

Croatia[]

Bus[]

In May 2013 Arriva entered the Croatian bus market with the purchase of Panturist Veolia Osijek (Veolia Transport Central Europe) with 120 buses.[34][39] In August 2017 Arriva took a 78.34% share in Autotrans Group (ATG), thus becoming the number one private bus operator in Croatia [1]

Czech Republic[]

Alexander ALX200 bodied Dennis Dart in Mladá Boleslav

Arriva group bought three medium-sized bus transport companies (Transcentrum Bus s.r.o., Bosák Bus s.r.o. and Osnado s.r.o.) in 2006 and 2007 end established its own rail transport company Arriva vlaky s.r.o. in 2009. These four companies are owned through Arriva holding Česká republika s.r.o. which is owned by the Dutch company Arriva Coöperatie W.A. (majority of 99.9% since 2008).

In July 2013, the current Veolia Transport Česká republika a.s. with its four subsidiary companies fell under Arriva group as Arriva Transport Česká republika a.s. The daughter companies were simultaneously renamed and rebranded as Arriva Praha s.r.o., Arriva Teplice s.r.o., Arriva Vychodni Cechy a.s. and Arriva Morava a.s. They operate primarily buses (it is the biggest bus transport operator in the Czech Republic) but also trolleybuses in Teplice (Arriva Teplice) and Desná Railway (Arriva Morava).

The two Arriva holdings in the Czech Republic have not any direct interconnection yet. Moreover, the Arriva group operated in the Czech Republic also through the German rail transport company Vogtlandbahn GmbH.

Former Abellio's companies Probo Bus and PT Real, purchased in December 2013, are owned by DB Czech Holding s.r.o. which is owned by German DB Mobility Logistics AG.

Bus and coach[]

In December 2006 Arriva purchased Transcentrum Bus, operating services in Mladá Boleslav District of the Central Bohemian Region, north east of Prague. In January 2007 Arriva acquired Bosák Bus, which operates to the south west of Prague and the Příbram District of the Central Bohemian Region.[40][41] In November 2007 Arriva acquired Osnado, which operates bus and coach services in the north of Hradec Králové Region in East Bohemia, in the foothills of Krkonoše mountains. The three bus companies retain their original names but with the Arriva corporate logo and livery. At the turn of 2014/2015, Bosák Bus s.r.o. was merged with Transcentrum Bus s.r.o. and Transcentrum Bus s.r.o. renamed to Arriva Střední Čechy s.r.o.

In July 2013 [not 

[Veolia Transport]again] Česká republika a.s. was purchased with its four subsidiary companies which were renamed Arriva Morava, Arriva Praha, Arriva Teplice and Arriva Východní Čechy. These four companies are owned by holding company Arriva Transport Česká republika. It also operates trolleybuses in Teplice (Arriva Teplice) and trains in Desná Railway (Arriva Morava).[42]

In December 2013 Abellio's Probo Bus and PT Real operations were purchased with 110 buses.[43][44] As at November 2016, Arriva operated 1,960 buses in the Czech Republic.[45]

Train[]

German rail transport company Vogtlandbahn, owned by Arriva since 2004, operated several train routes in the Czech Republic as a subcontractor of České dráhy (München – Regensburg – Hof – Plzeň – Praha, line VB2 Zwickau – Plauen – Bad Brambach – Františkovy Lázně – Cheb – Mariánské Lázně, line VB8 Marktredwitz – Schirnding – Cheb) and GW Train Regio, formerly Viamont (line VB1 Zwickau – Klingenthal – Kraslice – Sokolov). Since December 2010, Vogtlandbahn operates under its own name the line Trilex (Liberec – Zittau – Varnsdorf – Rybniště/Seifhennersdorf). After Arriva was bought by Deutsche Bahn in 2010, Vogtlandbahn was resold to the Italian state railways Ferrovie dello Stato together with Luxembourg infrastructure fund Cube.

Between September 2013 and December 2013, Arriva vlaky tried operating a commercial service from Praha Masarykovo nádraží to Kralupy nad Vltavou in competition with subsidised lines of České dráhy.[46] The company did not succeed with its effort to gain a subsidy for it to continue.[47]

Four trains on the local Desná Railway, operated by Connex Morava (lately Veolia Transport Morava) since 2002, were taken over by Arriva Morava in July 2013.[45] In March 2016, Arriva introduced a weekly service from Praha to Trenčín in Slovakia and daily service from Praha to Benešov. It has applied to increase this to twice daily from December 2016.[48]

Denmark[]

Alstom Coradia LINT train in Denmark in September 2007
Waterbus in Copenhagen in August 2012

Bus[]

In September 1997 Arriva purchased Unibus.[49] In March 1999 Arriva Denmark expanded with the acquisition of Bus Danmark[49] In April 2001 Arriva acquired Denmark's largest bus operator, Combus with 1,200 vehicles.[49][50] In August 2004 Arriva purchased Wulff, which operated buses in Jutland and Copenhagen.[51] In 2007 Arriva acquired Veolia Denmark, then Denmark's second largest bus operator with 640 buses.[49][52] Arriva operates 50% of bus services in Copenhagen and 40% throughout Denmark.[49]

Train[]

In mid-2002 Arriva began to operate services on the Varde to Nørre Nebel line.[53] In March 2012 Arriva was awarded a new franchise until June 2018.[54][55]

In 2003 Arriva began operating an eight-year contract to operate services in mid Jutland. In March 2009 Arriva was awarded a new franchise until December 2018.[56] Arriva operates 17% of the Danish rail network.[49]

Waterbus[]

In 2000 Arriva began operating waterbuses in Copenhagen's harbour.

Hungary[]

VT Transman Mercedes-Benz O530G Citaro in Budapest in June 2013

Bus[]

In April 2008 Arriva purchased an 80% shareholding in Eurobus Invest, Hungary's largest private bus operator, which operates services in Hungary and Slovakia.[57] In 2009 Arriva purchased the remaining 20%.[58] Arriva is in a joint venture with Videoton Holding operating as VT Transman.

In May 2013 VT Transman began operating two bus contracts in Budapest for eight years.[59][60] This will see 150 Mercedes-Benz Citaros added to the 225 bus fleet. The joint venture now operates under the VT-Arriva brand.

Italy[]

Bus and coach[]

In July 2002 Arriva purchased SAB Autoservizi and SAF - Società Autoservizi Friuli-Venezia Giulia operating in Lombardy, Liguria and Friuli-Venezia Giulia regions of northern Italy.[61]

In May 2004 Arriva expanded into the Udine area of the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region, buying 49% of 500 bus SAF,[62] exercising an option in December 2005 to increase its stake to 60%.[63] In October 2005 Arriva began operating in the Piemonte and Valle d'Aosta regions of northern Italy with an 80% shareholding in SADEM, increased to 100% in 2008. In 2006 Arriva purchased a 35% share in Trieste Trasporti, increased in 2007 to 40%.[61]

In June 2007 Arriva entered a joint venture with Ferrovie Nord Milano to purchase 49% of 317 bus SPT Linea, which was then renamed ASF Autolinee.[61][64][65]

In 2008 it took control of Brescia-based SAIA Transporti.[61]

Netherlands[]

Bus and coach[]

DAF MB200 in March 2001
VDL Citea in November 2012
VDL Citea in Katwijk

In January 1998 Arriva purchased Vancom Nederland followed in December 1998 by Veonn & Hanze.[66][67]

In June 1999 it formed a joint venture with Nederlandse Spoorwegen to operate bus services in Friesland, taking 100% ownership in 2003 and renaming it Arriva Openbaar Vervoer.[66]

In 2003 it won further work in Drenthe and Province of Groningen. It won further contracts in 2005 in Drenthe and Waterland and later in the Drechtsteden, Alblasserwaard, Rivierenland, Meierij, Oost-Brabant, and Vijfheerenlanden areas. In 2009 Arriva lost the contracts in Drenthe and Groningen upon retendering but in 2010 won a contract in Achterhoek and retained the Rivierenland contract. From December 2012 Arriva won the contract for South Holland North, around Leiden, Alphen aan den Rijn and Gouda and in Friesland around Leeuwarden.[66][68][69][70]

It recently acquired most of Limburg in December 2016 both bus and train systems.[71]

Contracts[]
Name From Until
Rivierenland 1 Jan 3 11 Dec 10
Waterland 11 Dec 5 10 Dec 11
Drechtsteden/Alblasserwaard/Vijfheerenlanden 1 Jan 7 31 Dec 18
Hoeksche Waard/Goeree-Overflakkee 1 Jan 8 15 Dec 14
Meierij 10 Dec 6 9 Dec 14
Oost-Brabant 10 Dec 6 9 Dec 14
Ameland 1 Mar 9 31 Dec 15
Schiermonnikoog 1 Mar 9 31 Dec 15
Terschelling 1 Mar 9 31 Dec 15
Vlieland 1 Mar 9 31 Dec 15
Achterhoek/Rivierenland 12 Dec 10 1 Jan 21
Lelystad/Flevoland 4 Sep 11 4 Sep 21
North and Southwest Friesland 9 Dec 12 12 Dec 20
South Holland Noord 9 Dec 12 12 Dec 20
Limburg 11 Dec 16 12 Dec 31

Train[]

Spurt Stadler GTW in September 2008

Arriva established the joint venture NoordNed with Nederlandse Spoorwegen in 1999,[66] taking 100% ownership in 2003,[66] and dropping the name NoordNed two years later. In 2005 it secured a 15-year contract to operate trains from Groningen to Leeuwarden, Delfzijl, Roodeschool and Nieuweschans. It also secured a contract to operate trains from Leeuwarden to Harlingen Haven and to Stavoren. Later that year it secured a contract to operate trains from Dordrecht to Gorinchem and on to Geldermalsen (MerwedeLingelijn).[66] In 2012 Arriva commenced operating trains in the Achterhoek and between Zwolle and Emmen. These services operate under the Spurt brand.

On 21 June 2013 Arriva was selected to operate a new service between The Hague and Brussels.[72][73] Service was set to start in December 2015, but the project was cancelled in 2014 because the involved parties could not agree upon a final business case and because NS reactivated the original service to Brussels, making the new Arriva service unnecessary.[74][75]

It recently acquired most of Limburg in December 2016 both bus and train systems.[71]

Contracts[]
Name From Until
Groningen/Friesland 11 Dec 5
13 Dec 20		 12 Dec 20
15 Dec 35
Merwede-Lingelijn 1 Jan 7 31 Dec 18
North and Southwest Friesland 9 Dec 12 11 Dec 27
Gelderland/Achterhoek 9 Dec 12 1 Jan 21
Zwolle-Emmen 9 Dec 12 1 Jan 21
Limburg 11 Dec 16 12 Dec 31

Bus and train combination[]

The Province of Limburg awarded a contract in June 2015 to Arriva to provide for the entire public transport (buses and five regional rail lines) in Limburg from December 2016 up until 2031.[76][77] Abellio has originally been named the preferred bidder, but after it was discovered Abellio had gained some information that was not available to the other bidders, the contract was withdrawn.[78][79] Another tenderer, Veolia, announced they will object to the decision of the province.[80][81]

Poland[]

SA 134 multiple unit at Toruń station in July 2008

Bus[]

In May 2013 Arriva entered the Polish market through its acquisition of Veolia Transport Central Europe with 840 buses.[33][34][35]

Train[]

Arriva formed Arriva PCC, a joint venture with PCC Rail in December 2006.[82] In December 2007 Arriva commenced operating services on all non-electrified lines in the Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship.[83] In June 2010 Arriva took 100% ownership of the business and renamed it Arriva RP.[84] In December 2010 Arriva RP won a 10-year extension.[84][85]

In December 2013 Arriva will start operating trains on four electrified lines in the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Voivodship for two years with 12 existing trains.[86][87]

Portugal[]

Bus and coach[]

Transportes Sul do Tejo logo.

In November 2000 Arriva purchased João Carlos Soares e Filhos, Viacao Costa & Lino Lda, Ami-Transportes and Abílio da Costa Moreira & C Lda who were running inter-urban local bus services in the north west of Portugal.[67][88]

In June 2002 Arriva bought a 51% shareholding Transportes Sul do Tejo, a scheduled bus and coach operator in the growing commuter region south of Lisbon. In September 2003 Arriva exercised an option to buy the remainder of the company.[88] In May 2006 Arriva acquired a 21.5% share of leading transport company Barraqueiro, with bus and rail operations in and around Lisbon, increasing the shareholding in January 2008 to 31.5%.[88]

Serbia[]

Arriva Ikarbus IK 112 bus operating in Belgrade bus public transport.

Bus[]

In May 2013 Arriva entered the Serbian bus market with the purchase of Veolia Transport Central Europe (Veolia Transport Litas in Požarevac and Veolia Transport Luv in Belgrade) with 250 buses.[34][39] In January 2015, Arriva commenced operating bus services in Niš with 33 buses.[89]

Slovakia[]

Bus[]

In July 2008 Arriva entered the Slovakian bus market with the purchase of an 80% shareholding in Eurobus Invest.[57][90][91] In July 2015, it purchased SAD Liorbus and SAD Trnava.[92] Coach services are operated under the Arriva Express brand.[93] As at November 2016, Arriva employed 2,390 people and operates 1,335 buses.[94] Later, Arriva bought also bus companies Veolia transport Nitra,[95] SAD Nové Zámky,[96] SAD Michalovce.[97]

Slovenia[]

Bus[]

In May 2013 Arriva entered the Slovenian bus market with the purchase of Veolia Transport Central Europe (Veolia Transport Štajerska, Veolia Transport Dolenjska and Primorska) with 270 buses.[34][39]

Spain[]

Bus[]

In July 1998 Arriva purchased Ideal Auto Sociedad Anónima (IASA) followed in September 1999 by Transportes Finisterre, both in Galicia.[67] Their services cover three of the four provinces in the region: A Coruña, Lugo and Ourense, including part of the famous Santiago pilgrimage route. In January 2002 Arriva commenced operating in Majorca with the purchase of Autocares Mallorca and Bus Nord.[98] These operate on the northern and western parts of the island, linking the capital Palma with towns such as Soller, Inca and Alcúdia.

In 2007 Arriva acquired Autocares Fray Escoba and Esfera in Madrid. In July 2008 Arriva acquired Empresa de Blas y Cia, which operates routes between Madrid and southwestern cities in its metropolitan area (Alcorcón, Móstoles, Villaviciosa de Odón, Navalcarnero...), and between those cities.[98]

Sweden[]

Bus[]

Arriva has operated bus lines in southern Sweden/The Skåne Region since 1997 when it purchased Unibus of Denmark.[99]

Arriva operated and operates bus lines in certain counties in the Stockholm Region: Sigtuna County, Upplands Vaesby County and Vallentuna County from the 1st of March 2009 until the 21st of June 2019. In Ekeroe County, traffic started on the 1st of March 2009 however Arriva won this contract again in 2019. The E32 contract which was procured in 2019 had three contesters Arriva who came on first place, Nobina who came on second place and Transdev who came on third place.[100] In August 2012 Arriva began operation in western Stockholm with 255 buses under a 12-year contract with the regional transport authority.[101][102] In January 2013 a further 229 buses were added.[103][104] When Arriva took over the Roslagen Light Rail and bus traffic in the Roslagen area of Stockholm, it became total chaos. Arrivas failure to follow the contract resulted in a record fine of 174 million kronor.[105]

Arriva has operated services in the Halland Region since June 2010, partly taking over services from Swebus.[106]

Train[]

In June 2007 Arriva won a nine-year franchise for the Pågatåg regional rail services in Skåne County, south Sweden.[83]

In 2009 Arriva expanded its rail operations in the country with a new contract operating the Kinnekulletåget between Göteborg and Örebro.[99] In December 2010 DB Regio Sverige AB started to operate regional trains in Östgötapendeln. In November 2011 the company was renamed Arriva Östgötapendeln AB.

Since August 2012, Arriva has operated the Stockholm light rail systems Cross Light Rail, Nockeby Light Rail, Lidingoe Light Rail and Saltsjoe Light Rail.[101] In January 2013, Arriva commenced operating the Roslagen Light Rail in the north of Stockholm.[103]

United Kingdom[]

Bus and coach[]

Main article: Arriva UK Bus

Arriva operates 5,900 buses in London, the north east, north west and south east of England, Yorkshire, the Midlands and Wales.

Patient transport[]

Arriva Transport Solutions provides non-emergency ambulance services, typically to convey disabled patients to and from hospital out-patient appointments. These services, formerly provided by ambulance services are now awarded by competitive tender. The company has been running these services in Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire and Rutland since 2012. A report by the Care Quality Commission in 2014 said that patients were "often" arriving late for appointments, and taxi drivers with "poor attitudes" being used when other resources were unavailable.[107]
Following its successful bid over the rival North West ambulance service for non–emergency transport, in Greater Manchester Arriva admitted it had submitted incorrect performance figures which had earned it a £1.5 m bonus. Arriva had been the subject of many complaints about its service. Comparisons were drawn with misreporting in the UK Serco scandal and MPs said the Serious Fraud Office may need to be involved.[108]

Train[]

Main article: Arriva UK Trains
CrossCountry Class 220 Voyager at Bristol Temple Meads in October 2010

Arriva has operated a number of rail franchises in the UK since privatisation in 1996 though its subsidiary, Arriva UK Trains. It gained its first franchises in February 2000. Arriva UK Trains currently runs a number of train operating companies:

Arriva TrainCare (previously LNWR) operates train maintenance depots at Bristol, Cambridge, Crewe, Eastleigh and Newcastle.[111]

Following the purchase of Arriva by Deutsche Bahn in August 2010, Arriva UK Trains expanded to take over Deutsche Bahn's existing DB Regio UK division which consisted of Chiltern Railways, Tyne & Wear Metro and London Overground Rail Operations.

Arriva UK Trains wishes to expand the number of UK Rail businesses it operates by developing open access operations and successfully bidding for further Department for Transport rail franchises.[112] Alliance Rail Holdings continues to develop new open access proposals following the rejection of its initial plans by the Office of Rail Regulation in 2011.[113]

During 2011/12 Arriva's applications to bid for the InterCity West Coast, Greater Anglia, Essex Thameside and Thameslink franchises were all rejected by the Department for Transport. Following this run of failure Arriva was publicly critical of the government's prequalification process and called for it to be abolished.[112] However Arriva was subsequently shortlisted for the Greater Western, Crossrail, Caledonian Sleeper and ScotRail franchises.[114]

Former operations[]

Siemens Desiro in July 2009

Germany[]

Bus[]

In February 2005 Arriva purchased Sippel, a bus operator in the Rhine Main.[115] In May 2006 Verkehrsbetriebe Bils was purchased followed in December 2006 by 80% of NeiBeverkehr.[116]

Train[]

In April 2004 Arriva purchased Prignitzer Eisenbahn Gruppe which operated five franchises. In October 2004 a 77% shareholding, increased later in the year to 93%, was purchased in Regentalbahn.[115] In 2007 Arriva purchased an 85% shareholding in Osthannoversche Eisenbahnen.[116]

As part of the takeover of Arriva by Deutsche Bahn, Arriva's German railway operations were sold to Ferrovie dello Stato to comply with a European Commission condition.[25][117][118] These are now branded as Netinera.

Malta[]

Bus[]

See also: Buses in Malta § Arriva (2011–2013)
King Long in Sliema in October 2011
Mercedes-Benz O530G Citaro at the Malta depot in July 2011

In July 2011 Arriva commenced operating a ten-year concession to operate all scheduled bus services on Malta and Gozo.[119] Arriva held a 67% shareholding with the local Tumas Group owning the remaining 33%.[120]

The main fleet of Arriva Malta was formed of 172 new King Long buses.[121][122] These were supported on high-density routes by 68 former Arriva London Mercedes-Benz O530G Citaro articulated buses. Ten hybrid Optare Solos and two Bluebird mini-buses for use in the city of Valletta were also purchased.[123] An assortment of the newest buses from the former owner/driver pre-July 2011 operation were also acquired and refurbished to bring them broadly into line with the rest of the fleet. This included the fitting of air conditioning and CCTV equipment and rebranding into standard Arriva livery for daily use alongside the main fleet. These included buses built by SCARNIF, MCV, BMC, King Long and Saracakis among others, with the main common factor being that they are all fully automatic and low floor designs.

Arriva has been harshly criticised both by commuters and by the government agency Transport Malta for consistently failing to keep up standards. On 14 November 2012, Arriva was harshly reprimanded by Transport Malta and given until the end of the month to bring up all its routes to 100% efficiency before TM deploys its own shuttles at Arriva's expense.[124]

In August 2013, the Government of Malta instructed Arriva Malta to remove the articulated buses from service, pending investigation following three major fire outbreaks in the span of 48 hours.[125] The fires destroyed the buses and in one case caused extensive damage to some nearby vehicles belonging to MaltaPost, the country's postal operator. Nobody was injured in these incidents. Like in the UK when the same buses had caught fire, these buses became a popular joke in conversations and social media sites.[126]

By the end of December 2013 Arriva had run up losses of €50 million in two and a half years.[127]

On 1 January 2014 Arriva ceased operations in Malta, with the services nationalised by the Maltese government as Malta Public Transport.[128][129] Upon being tendered, the services were taken over by ALSA.[130]

United Kingdom[]

Arriva Trains Northern Class 156 at Carlisle in August 2004

Bus[]

Train[]

Branding[]

Wardle Transport Northern Counties Palatine bodied Volvo Olympian in October 2012
Green Line Van Hool bodied VDL SB4000 in London in May 2011
Arriva Rail North Class 158 at Manchester Victoria in October 2016

Prior to being rebranded as Arriva in November 1997, the Cowie fleets generally were still trading under their pre-privatisation names with individual liveries. As part of the rebranding the operations were renamed as Arriva Derby, Arriva Fox County etc.

A uniform livery of aquamarine (pantone 321) with a cream coloured semicircle at the front with a yellow skirt and signwriting was adopted. This livery was adopted by most by Arriva's European acquisitions as well as Arriva Trains Northern and Arriva Trains Wales. The same livery was applied to the Arriva London fleet albeit with red in lieu of aquamarine to comply with a Transport for London requirement for buses to be 80% red. London vehicles are now painted all-over red to comply with Transport for London's amended requirements.

In the mid-2000s, an aquamarine livery with less cream, a dark blue skirt and yellow stripe was adopted for some longer distance services in the United Kingdom. The first buses to carry this new style were 3 Northern Counties Palatine II DAF DB250s based at the Arriva Southern Counties Gillingham garage for routes 700/701 between Medway Towns and Bluewater. Dubbed the interurban livery, in September 2009 it was decided to adopt this livery as standard for all UK buses. Most European operations retain the old livery, although some Czech buses have also received it. In December 2008 Arriva Trains Wales unveiled a dark blue livery on its Mark 2 carriages, this has since been adopted as its standard livery.

Exceptions to standard livery include:

  • Arriva Denmark – Yellow and blue (following Sydttrafik, Midttrafik, Nordjyllands Trafikselskab and Movias own colour schemes)
  • Arriva London – red livery specified by Transport for London
  • Arriva Rail London – white, orange & blue livery specified by Transport for London
  • Arriva Rail North - white & blue livery specified by Department for Transport
  • Arriva Stockholm – Red and blue specified by SL
  • Chiltern Railways – existing white & blue livery retained, superseded in 2013 by a white & silver livery
  • CrossCountry – maroon, grey & pink
  • Grand Central – existing black & orange livery retained
  • Green Line Coaches – light & dark green
  • Glasgow Flyer – white, green & black
  • New Enterprise Coaches – white with red logos
  • Spurt – red and white
  • VT-Arriva, Hungary – light blue
  • Wardle Transport – Arriva livery but with red in lieu of aquamarine
  • Yorkshire Tiger – Yorkshire Tiger branded vehicles are mainly orange with the exception of Tiger Blue and Flying Tiger which are blue
  • Transportes Sul do Tejo - TST vehicles are mainly white with some having yellow and blue stripes, others only blue stripes and the Sulfertagus service having a red transition to blue on a mainly white livery.

Sapphire premium services[]

Arriva has introduced the Sapphire brand for premium services in the UK, in similar fashion to Stagecoach Gold with buses fitted with leather seats and WiFi.[136][137]

Suppliers[]

Arriva Bus & Coach was a bus and coach dealership based in Gomersal, England.[138] Established in 1951 as Stanley Hughes, it was purchased by the Paul Sykes Group in 1982 and the Cowie Group in 1988.[139][140][141] It sold primarily Plaxton bodied coaches, and was a DAF dealer.[142] Hughes DAF was rebranded to Arriva Bus & Coach in 1998 and is now the main dealer for Temsa and Van Hool.[143] coaches in the UK as well as more recently Ilesbus.[144]

In June 2020 it was announced the company would restructure to significantly downsize.[141] During January 2021, it was announced Arriva Bus & Coach would close on 31 March 2021.[143][145]

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b Companies House extract company no 347103 Archived 9 April 2016 at the Wayback Machine Arriva plc formerly Cowie Group plc formerly T Cowie plc
  2. ^ Arriva in numbers Arriva
  3. ^ Completed acquisition by Arriva Passenger Services Limited of the remainder of the entire share capital of Centrebus Holdings Limited Archived 4 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine Competition & Markets Authority 6 May 2014 page 2.
  4. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f History and growth Arriva Archived 20 September 2008 at the Wayback Machine
  5. ^ Jump up to: a b c Background Archived 18 June 2009 at the Wayback Machine Sir Tom Cowie
  6. ^ Keleny, Anne (1 February 2012). "Sir Tom Cowie: Founder of a transport empire". The Independent. London.
  7. ^ Jump up to: a b "How Arriva arrived in the Capital" Archived 2 October 2012 at the Wayback Machine Focus Transport February 2012
  8. ^ Jump up to: a b History Archived 13 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine Masterlease
  9. ^ "Cowie is raising £45 million for expansion" Glasgow Herald 24 September 1987
  10. ^ "Henly's criticises jump in earnings at Cowie" Archived 13 April 2016 at the Wayback Machine The Independent 31 July 1992
  11. ^ The Arriva London Story. Arriva London. Archived 11 November 2013 at the Wayback Machine
  12. ^ Principal bus operating subsidiaries of British Bus Competition Commission 1997
  13. ^ "All change as Cowie swaps to buses" Archived 4 October 2013 at the Wayback Machine. Lancashire Telegraph (Blackburn). 8 October 1996.
  14. ^ Cope, Nigel (12 June 1999). "GM unit buys Arriva car hire in £513m deal". The Independent. London.
  15. ^ Recommended Cash Offer for MTL Services Archived 14 April 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Arriva. 18 February 2000.
  16. ^ "Arriva buys MTL for £84m". Rail (Peterborough). Issue 378. 8 March 2000. page 13.
  17. ^ EU move prompts Arriva to sell car dealerships The Independent 15 October 2002
  18. ^ Muspratt, Caroline (31 January 2006). "Arriva sells off car rental arm". The Daily Telegraph. London.
  19. ^ "Arriva acquires LNWR" Archived 13 April 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Railway Gazette (London). 18 November 2008.
  20. ^ "FTSE flat but Arriva perks up on talk French backing to bid" The Daily Telegraph 24 March 2010
  21. ^ "Arriva moves ahead on bid battle hopes". The Guardian 24 March 2010.
  22. ^ Statement re Keolis SA Arriva 5 March 2010
  23. ^ "Response to Press Reports Regarding Deutsche Bahn AG" (Press release). Arriva. 19 April 2010. Archived from the original on 4 June 2010.
  24. ^ "Deutsche Bahn buys Arriva for £1.5bn". Financial Times (London). 22 April 2010.
  25. ^ Jump up to: a b DB/Arriva Archived 13 April 2016 at the Wayback Machine European Commission 11 August 2010
  26. ^ "EC approves DB's takeover of Arriva". Railway Gazette International. London. 11 August 2010.
  27. ^ "Scheme of Arrangement becomes effective" (Press release). Arriva. 27 August 2010. Archived from the original on 19 October 2012.
  28. ^ "Delisting of Arriva plc Shares" (Press release). Arriva. 31 August 2010. Archived from the original on 20 May 2012.
  29. ^ Jump up to: a b "Arriva acquires open access operator Grand Central Railway" (Press release). Arriva. 4 November 2011. Archived from the original on 20 May 2012.
  30. ^ Jump up to: a b "Arriva in Grand Central Railway takeover" Archived 13 April 2016 at the Wayback Machine. BBC News. 4 November 2011.
  31. ^ Jump up to: a b "Arriva exits Scotland with Sale to McGill's" Archived 6 February 2013 at the Wayback Machine Bus & Coach Professional 14 December 2011
  32. ^ Jump up to: a b "Bus firm McGill's to take over rivals Arriva". BBC News. 13 December 2011.
  33. ^ Jump up to: a b "DB acquires Central European business operations from Veolia" Archived 13 April 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Deutsche Bahn. 16 May 2013.
  34. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e "Arriva takes Veolia business" Archived 11 November 2013 at the Wayback Machine Bus & Coach Professional 20 May 2013
  35. ^ Jump up to: a b "Arriva takes the lead in central and east Europe" Archived 13 April 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Passenger transport. 22 May 2013.
  36. ^ "The Arriva brand is changing!". Arrive Bus UK. Retrieved 11 February 2018.
  37. ^ Topham, Gwyn (27 March 2019). "Deutsche Bahn to sell UK rail and bus operator Arriva". The Guardian. Retrieved 1 April 2019.
  38. ^ Fender, Keith (19 November 2019). "Senior DB management shake-up as Arriva sale postponed". International Railway Journal. Retrieved 24 November 2019.
  39. ^ Jump up to: a b c "Arriva acquires Veolia Transport Central Europe". Railway Gazette International. May 2013.
  40. ^ Arriva Acquires Second Operator in Czech Republic Arriva 31 January 2007
  41. ^ Second Czech bus firm bought by Arriva Archived 18 November 2016 at the Wayback Machine Bus & Coach Professional 6 February 2007
  42. ^ Arriva: Společnost Veolia Transport Central Europe součástí skupiny Arriva, BUSportál.cz, 16. May 2013 Archived 4 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine
  43. ^ Arriva strengthens its presence in Czech Republic Arriva 29 November 2013
  44. ^ Completion of Sale of Probo Bus and PT Real to DB Arriva Abellio 2 December 2013
  45. ^ Jump up to: a b Arriva Czech Republic Arriva
  46. ^ Arriva launches pilot Czech passenger service at its own risk Railway Gazette International 26 September 2013
  47. ^ Arriva to launch Praha suburban service Railway Gazette International 3 February 2016
  48. ^ Arriva to increase Czech Republic - Slovakia services Railway Gazette International 12 August 2016
  49. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f Arriva Denmark Archived 14 September 2008 at the Wayback Machine
  50. ^ "Arriva buys top Danish operator for £8.50" Archived 14 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine The Daily Telegraph 17 January 2001
  51. ^ Acquisition Archived 6 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine Arriva 20 July 2004
  52. ^ "Arriva agrees to purchase Veolia Danmark" (Press release). Arriva. 4 July 2007.
  53. ^ "Arriva reveals £150m Danish franchise deal" Archived 28 October 2014 at the Wayback Machine. The Scotsman (Edinburgh). 7 January 2002.
  54. ^ "Arriva Danmark signs new Vestbanen contract" Archived 6 January 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Railway Gazette (London). 29 March 2012.
  55. ^ "Arriva Denmark extends Vestbanen contract" Archived 28 May 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Global Rail News. 30 March 2012.
  56. ^ "Jylland contract stays with Arriva" Archived 13 October 2012 at the Wayback Machine. Railway Gazette (London). 13 March 2009.
  57. ^ Jump up to: a b "Arriva moves into Hungary and Slovakia" Archived 28 October 2014 at the Wayback Machine. Bus & Coach Professional. 23 April 2008.
  58. ^ Hungary Arriva Archived 27 December 2013 at the Wayback Machine
  59. ^ "Budapest bus contracts strengthen Arriva's Hungarian presence" (Press release). Arriva. 7 November 2012.
  60. ^ "Budapest bus contracts strengthen Arriva's Hungarian presence" Archived 28 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Eurotransport Magazine. 7 November 2012.
  61. ^ Jump up to: a b c d Arriva Italy Archived 19 September 2008 at the Wayback Machine
  62. ^ "Arriva grows its position in the Italian public transport market" (Press release). Arriva. 4 May 2004.
  63. ^ Arriva Increases Interest in SAF, Italy Arriva 2 December 2005
  64. ^ "Arriva joint venture acquires 49 per cent of Italian bus operator" (Press release). Arriva. 28 June 2007.
  65. ^ "ASF Autolinee - Azienda - Storia" [ASF Bus - Company - History] (in Italian). ASF Autolinee. Archived from the original on 15 October 2012. Retrieved 22 October 2012.
  66. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f Netherlands Arriva Archived 27 December 2013 at the Wayback Machine
  67. ^ Jump up to: a b c Arriva Timeline Arriva Archived 16 February 2009 at the Wayback Machine
  68. ^ "Bus contract win in the Netherlands" .Eurotransport. 12 April 2012. Archived 1 April 2016 at the Wayback Machine
  69. ^ "Arriva expands with new contract" Archived 11 November 2013 at the Wayback Machine. Bus & Coach Professional. 7 May 2012.
  70. ^ "Arriva begins to operate four contracts in the Netherlands" (Press release). Arriva. 12 December 2012.
  71. ^ Jump up to: a b "Veelgestelde vragen". Arriva.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 15 February 2017.
  72. ^ "Arriva selected to operate Den Haag - Brussels inter-city service" Archived 11 December 2015 at the Wayback Machine. Railway Gazette (London). 21 June 2013.
  73. ^ "Arriva to operate The Hague - Brussels services" Archived 7 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine. International Rail Journal. 21 June 2013.
  74. ^ "Lage Landen Lijn den Haag - Brussel gaat niet door". 25 June 2014. Archived from the original on 22 August 2016. Retrieved 15 June 2016.
  75. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 18 May 2015. Retrieved 15 June 2016.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  76. ^ "Provincie Limburg - Provincie kiest voor Arriva". www.limburg.nl. Retrieved 2 June 2015.
  77. ^ Arriva reveals plans for Limburg concession International Rail Journal 10 June 2015
  78. ^ NS finds irregularities in Limburg regional tender International Rail Journal 28 April 2015
  79. ^ Limburg regional concession goes to Arriva after tendering scandal Archived 16 April 2016 at the Wayback Machine International Rail Journal 2 June 2015
  80. ^ "Limburg gunt concessie openbaar vervoer aan Arriva". NRC Handelsblad. Amsterdam. 2 June 2015.
  81. ^ "Veolia protests as Arriva is awarded Dutch contract". Buses. Issue 724. July 2015. p. 24.
  82. ^ "Freightliner prepares to compete in Poland". Railway Gazette International. March 2007.
  83. ^ Jump up to: a b Rolf Andersson (October 2007). "Skåne springboard as Arriva expands". Railway Gazette International.
  84. ^ Jump up to: a b Arriva Poland Arriva Archived 11 November 2013 at the Wayback Machine
  85. ^ "Arriva awarded 10-year Polish operating contract" Archived 6 January 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Railway Gazette (London). 2 November 2010.
  86. ^ "Rail tender win for Arriva in Poland" (Press release). Arriva. 2 July 2013.
  87. ^ "Arriva to operate additional train services in Poland" Archived 22 April 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Global Rail News. 2 July 2013.
  88. ^ Jump up to: a b c Arriva Portugal. Arriva. Archived 11 November 2013 at the Wayback Machine
  89. ^ Arriva awarded Serbian bus contract Archived 4 August 2016 at the Wayback Machine Arriva 16 January 2015
  90. ^ Eurobus Deal Takes Arriva into Hungary and Slovakia Arriva 3 April 2008
  91. ^ Arriva Completes Eurobus Acquisition Arriva 16 July 2008
  92. ^ Arriva Strengthens Bus Business i Slovakia Arriva 23 July 2015
  93. ^ Home Arriva Express
  94. ^ http://www.arriva.co.uk/~/media/Files/A/Arriva-Corporate-V2/countries/fact-sheet-slovakia.pdf Arriva in Slovakia
  95. ^ "ARRIVA NITRA a.s. - historický názov: Veolia Transport Nitra a.s. - zisk, tržby, hospodárske výsledky a účtovné závierky".
  96. ^ "ARRIVA Nové Zámky, akciová spoločnosť (V skratke: ARRIVA Nové Zámky, a.s.) - historický názov: Slovenská autobusová doprava Nové Zámky, akciová spoločnosť (V skratke: SAD Nové Zámky, a.s.) - Obchodný register".
  97. ^ "ARRIVA Michalovce, a.s. - historický názov: Slovenská autobusová doprava Michalovce, akciová spoločnosť - zisk, tržby, hospodárske výsledky a účtovné závierky".
  98. ^ Jump up to: a b Arriva Spain Arriva Archived 19 September 2008 at the Wayback Machine
  99. ^ Jump up to: a b Arriva Sweden Arriva Archived 24 July 2013 at the Wayback Machine
  100. ^ Plan för SLs upphandling av buss- och spårtrafik 2009-2012[dead link]
  101. ^ Jump up to: a b Arriva gears up for start of services in Stockholm Archived 5 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine Arriva Sweden 10 August 2012
  102. ^ Arriva gets first phase of Sweden's biggest multi-modal transport contract Archived 31 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine Breaking Travel News 28 August 2012
  103. ^ Jump up to: a b DB Arriva launches second phase of largest Swedish regional transport contract Archived 4 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine Deutsche Bahn 8 January 2013
  104. ^ Arriva begins phase 2 of multi-modal Stockholm transport contract Archived 25 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine Breaking Travel News 9 January 2013
  105. ^ Radio, Sveriges. "Arriva tvingas böta 174 miljoner efter busskaos - P4 Stockholm". sverigesradio.se. Retrieved 1 April 2019.
  106. ^ Arriva vinner trafik i Halland Archived 5 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine
  107. ^ "Arriva patient transport promises improvements". BBC News. 18 September 2014. Retrieved 30 September 2014.
  108. ^ Mark Leftly (8 November 2015). "Arriva may face SFO fraud inquiry over NHS deal". The Independent. Retrieved 12 November 2015.
  109. ^ Transport for London announces intention to award London Overground contract to Arriva Arriva 18 March 2016
  110. ^ Arriva welcomes new CrossCountry rail franchise award Arriva 10 July 2007 Archived 20 May 2012 at the Wayback Machine
  111. ^ Home Archived 15 October 2016 at the Wayback Machine Arriva TrainCare
  112. ^ Jump up to: a b "Rail Professional interview: Bob Holland". Rail Professional. October 2011. Archived 6 February 2013 at the Wayback Machine
  113. ^ "Alliance Rail Holdings Restates its Position on New Rail Services for the West Coast Main Line" (Press release). Alliance Rail Holdings. 4 May 2012. Archived from the original on 24 June 2012. Retrieved 22 October 2012.
  114. ^ "Bidders to oversee improvements on rail franchises announced" (Press release). Department for Transport. 29 March 2012.
  115. ^ Jump up to: a b Annual Report 31 December 2004 Arriva
  116. ^ Jump up to: a b Annual Report 31 December 2006 Arriva
  117. ^ Commission clears proposed acquisition of Arriva by Deutsche Bahn, subject to conditions Archived 18 August 2010 at the Wayback Machine Europa 11 August 2010
  118. ^ Deutsche Bahn concludes sake of the Arriva Germany-Group Archived 31 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine Global Rail News 28 February 2011
  119. ^ Arriva signs contract to operate buses in Malta Archived 6 November 2013 at the Wayback Machine Arriva 25 November 2010
  120. ^ Tumas Group sells off Arriva stake - reports Archived 19 February 2014 at the Wayback Machine Malta Today 15 October 2012
  121. ^ Arriva confirms new bus order for Malta Archived 6 November 2013 at the Wayback Machine Arriva 2 February 2011
  122. ^ King Long handover busandcoach.com 10 April 2011 Archived 6 November 2013 at the Wayback Machine
  123. ^ Arriva places 2 million order for hybrid buses with Optare Archived 7 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine Times of Malta 3 March 2011
  124. ^ Peregrin, Christian (18 November 2012). "Arriva is given a harsh warning and a deadline". Times of Malta. Valletta. Retrieved 25 June 2013.
  125. ^ "Updated - Ministry, Transport Malta, tell Arriva to withdraw all bendy buses". timesofmalta.com. 27 August 2013. Retrieved 28 August 2013.
  126. ^ Memes after bendy-bus fire outbreak in Malta Archived 3 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine Times of Malta 27 August 2013
  127. ^ Government to take on less than €15m of Arriva's debt Archived 4 July 2016 at the Wayback Machine Times of Malta 29 December 2013
  128. ^ "Arriva Future Decided" Archived 27 June 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Di-Ve Malta News. 22 December 2013.
  129. ^ "New Year in, Arriva out". Archived from the original on 23 March 2016. Retrieved 26 October 2014. "New Year in, Arriva out". Times of Malta. 23 December 2013.
  130. ^ Spanish company to run Malta buses Coach & Bus Week 27 August 2014
  131. ^ RATP Dev acquires leading London sightseeing operator Archived 4 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine RATP Dev
  132. ^ Completed acquisition by Go-Ahead Group plc of Arriva plc's Horsham (West Sussex) business Office of Fair Trading 24 November 2009
  133. ^ SRA Announces Preferred Bidder for New Integrated Wales Franchise Archived 25 June 2016 at the Wayback Machine Strategic Rail Authority 1 August 2003
  134. ^ Northern: Rail firm brought under government control BBC News 29 January 2020
  135. ^ Wrexham-Shropshire-London direct rail link to end BBC News 26 January 2011
  136. ^ Sapphire investment brings sparkle to bus services Archived 3 February 2014 at the Wayback Machine Arriva 20 June 2013
  137. ^ Arriva launches Sapphire upgrade busandcoach.com 21 February 2013 Archived 26 February 2014 at the Wayback Machine
  138. ^ Jenkinson, Keith (2018). Bus Dealers and Breakers of Yorkshire. Amberley Publishing. p. 9. ISBN 978-1-445-67493-3.
  139. ^ Arriva Bus & Coach: a brief history Coach & Bus Week issue 1024 22 February 2012 page 24
  140. ^ Companion to Road Passenger Transport History. Walsall: Roads & Road Transport History Association. 2013. p. 50. ISBN 9780955287633.
  141. ^ Jump up to: a b Taylor, Jonathan (18 June 2020). "Arriva Bus and Coach restructure". Coach & Bus Week. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
  142. ^ Daf fleet heads for London Commercial Motor 18 May 1989
  143. ^ Jump up to: a b Team, routeone (11 January 2021). "Arriva Bus and Coach dealership set for closure on 31 March". Route One. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
  144. ^ Jackson, Peter (15 October 2019). "Ilesbus range now available from Arriva Bus & Coach". Coach & Bus Week. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
  145. ^ Bus and Coach dealership announces closure date Coach & Bus Week 12 January 2021

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