Press releases

Arriva plc, one of Europe's leading bus and rail operators, has won its first major rail contract in Sweden .

Arriva, which already operates rail services in Denmark , Germany , the Netherlands and the UK , has won a nine year contract to operate the Pågatåg regional train service in the Skåne region of southern Sweden . The company already runs buses in eight European countries, including Sweden .

Skånetrafikken, the Swedish government body responsible for the contract, named Arriva as the operator of choice following strong competition between several bidders including DSB a nd SJ, the Danish and Swedish state-owned railways.

The nine year contract, which has a two year extension option, will generate approximately £15 million revenue per year (200 million SEK) for the company. Revenue is expected to grow in line with Skånetrafikken's plans to expand t he contract services.

Starting on 17 June 2007, Arriva will operate 26 Litra X11 trains on a four million kilometre network serving 47 stations in southern Sweden .

During the contract Arriva will work with Skånetrafikken to grow customer numbers, take forward proposals to purchase new trains to increase the fleet to around 60 trains, increase the network size, and deliver timetable improvements. Arriva will manage the contract to maintain and clean the trains and will provide comprehensive training for new drivers and conductors.

David Martin , Arriva's deputy chief executive, said:

This contract win shows how we are driving our business forward with the clear aim of becoming the leading transport services organisation in Europe .

Arriva is in a very strong position to benefit from increasing liberalisation in European transport markets and we look forward to further successes in rail across the UK and mainland Europe.

Work will start immediately to create the new Arriva Scandinavian operation, which will be known as Arriva Tog. Administration and operations for the business will be based in Malmø and there will be smaller offices established in Helsingborg and Ystad for train crew.

Notes to editors

• Arriva will be paid an annual fee for delivering the rail services set out in the contract.
• Following the announcement, there is a 10 day period for unsuccessful bidders to challenge Skånetrafikken's decision regarding the contract award.
• Rolling stock is owned by Skånetrafikken and it will also be responsible for the purchase of any new trains. Arriva will work with Skånetrafikken throughout any purchasing process.
• Skånetrafikken is responsible for all infrastructure network charges relating to the contract.
• The network currently provides around 10 million passenger journeys per year.
• Arriva is one of the largest private sector providers of passenger transport in mainland Europe. Employing more than 30,000 people and providing more than one billion passenger journeys every year.
• Arriva provides transport services including buses, trains, commuter coaches and water buses in eight European countries - Denmark, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the UK.
• Arriva is the largest private bus operator in Italy, Denmark and the Netherlands and is London's largest operator. Arriva was the first private company to be awarded rail contracts in Denmark.
• In the last five years, the turnover of Arriva's mainland European operations has increase by more than 250 per cent to £514.8 million (Euro €746 million).