The Sunderland firm runs CrossCountry and Chiltern train services for the Department for Transport; the London Overground for Transport for London; Grand Central between London and the North, and ia a major bus operator around the UK.
Now the business has been awarded a rail contract worth the equivalent of £80.2m to operate trains in the South Moravian region of the Czech Republic in moves to further strengthen Arriva’s footprint.
The signing follows the recent 15-year rail contract awarded to the company to operate services in the Pilsen region of the country – a deal worth €82.5m (£70.4m) – securing Arriva’s position as its second largest private rail operator.
The new train services are due to start operating in December 2024 and the contract will run for 10 years. Passengers in South Moravia will be served by 13 new trains, which will be able to carry 100 seated passengers, with additional spaces for prams, wheelchairs and bicycles.
Sian Leydon, Arriva Group’s managing director for Mainland Europe, said: “We are delighted that our team has been successful in securing a contract in a completely new region of the Czech Republic, growing our business there. This contract will expand on our presence in the neighbouring region of Zlín.”
Arriva said it has demonstrated long-standing success in rail operations in Czech Republic, with a three-year track record of delivering passenger services on lines in the neighbouring region of Zlín, which led to the latest successful bid. Looking ahead, the group said it aims to ensure seamless inter-city connections and improved accessibility.
The new train services are due to start operating in December 2024 and the contract will run for 10 years. Passengers in South Moravia will be served by 13 new trains, which will be able to carry 100 seated passengers, with additional spaces for prams, wheelchairs and bicycles.
Sian Leydon, Arriva Group’s managing director for Mainland Europe, said: “We are delighted that our team has been successful in securing a contract in a completely new region of the Czech Republic, growing our business there. This contract will expand on our presence in the neighbouring region of Zlín.”
Arriva said it has demonstrated long-standing success in rail operations in Czech Republic, with a three-year track record of delivering passenger services on lines in the neighbouring region of Zlín, which led to the latest successful bid. Looking ahead, the group said it aims to ensure seamless inter-city connections and improved accessibility.
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| Left to right: Jiří Nálevka, director of Trains Arriva CZ, Daniel Adamka, managing director of Arriva CZ, Jiří Crha, deputy governor South Moravia, Jiří Horský, director kordis in Jihomoravsky (Image: Arriva) |
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A new four-car Moravia trainset has entered trial operation on the S2 line from Brno to Letovice © Škoda Group |
The sale plan was halted when the Covid-19 pandemic struck but in April it was reported that Deutsche Bahn had signalled that it expects to spin-off or sell Arriva by the end of 2024.
