Abellio UK To Be Renamed 'Transport UK Group' (TUK) as Management Buyout Takes Place

Abellio UK and its Dutch shareholder Nederlandse Spoorwegen Have completed a management buyout, after receiving all formal approvals required.

Following the completion of this complex deal, the new company, Transport UK Group Ltd (TUK), will take over all Abellio UK’s existing UK services, serving millions of rail and bus passengers in London, Liverpool, the Midlands and East Anglia. 

TUK will operate East Midlands, West Midlands, Greater Anglia and over 60 London bus routes. The company will also operate Merseyrail in partnership with Serco. In the short term, the Abellio brand will remain in operation for parts of the business, including Abellio London Bus, but under the TUK group.

Under its new name, TUK remains committed to playing a vital, long-term role in the future of UK rail and bus services, ensuring that it delivers on passenger needs and provides a sustainable, safe, and reliable travel experience. 

The company will also continue to provide its voice and extensive knowledge to help shape the debate on UK rail industry reform, focusing on driving innovation and working with all governmental and industry bodies to shape and implement a future-ready, low-emission UK transport network.

The deal was led by Managing Director Dominic Booth, who has decades of experience running public transport services in the UK.

Mr Booth said:
“We are thrilled to return key public transport services back into UK ownership. While our name will change to Transport UK Group, our values remain the same. We will continue to play a key role in the country’s transport sector, ensuring the provision of our award-winning services to passengers around the UK and driving innovation to develop a low-emission UK transport network.”

Abellio has been operating in the UK since July 2003 and currently runs over 60 London bus routes and four Train Operating Companies (TOCs) in the UK.

Abellio operates around 10% of the London bus market in partnership with TfL, and with 800 buses across 6 depots is one of the fastest growing operators in the London bus network. 

By Summer 2023 150 of Abellio London’s buses will be electric, bringing its total fleet to more than 70% hybrid or electric powered.

Abellio has a strong track record in investment, procuring 1,855 new train vehicles and 125 zero-emission electric buses as well as developing two new bus depots at Southall and Hayes.

The company has operated much of the UK Rail Network including Scotrail, Northern, West Midlands, East Midlands, Greater Anglia and Merseyrail.