Member Article

Arriva takes Virgin's Cross Country franchise

Arriva plc, one of Europe’s leading bus and rail operators, today welcomed the decision of the Department for Transport (DfT) to award it the new Cross Country rail franchise. The Cross Country network is the most extensive rail franchise in the UK. It stretches from Aberdeen to Penzance and from Stansted to Cardiff, covering around 1,500 route miles and over 100 stations.

Arriva will run the franchise under a new CrossCountry brand and livery. The centre of operations will be in Birmingham, at the heart of the network and the largest city served by it.

The Sunderland-based firm, which already runs rail services in Wales as well as buses across the UK, will get a subsidy worth £1.05bn over the life of the franchise. Arriva has indicated that it may raise fares by about 3.5% above inflation, said the Department for Transport, which awarded the franchise. Among its other plans include increasing seating capacity by 35% on rush-hour trains on the main route by June 2009 and allowing passengers to print tickets at home.

David Martin, Arriva’s chief executive, said: “We are delighted to have been chosen to operate this major franchise, which advances Arriva’s UK rail presence significantly. “Arriva’s new Cross Country operation will support growth in regional travel by rail, help to ease congestion and contribute to improving the UK’s environment. We are confident of providing an excellent result for the taxpayer as well as improved services for passengers and a reasonable expectation of fair returns for the risks borne by our shareholders.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .