LONDON, May 16, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --
European passenger transport group Arriva has taken lead
position as the largest international passenger transport operator
in Central and Eastern Europe.
(Logo:
http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130516/613777 )
Veolia Transport Central Europe (VTCE) has become part of the
Arriva group following the acquisition of VTCE by Arriva's parent
company Deutsche Bahn.
Arriva is responsible for Deutsche Bahn's regional passenger
transport services outside Germany
and is focused on achieving organic, acquisitive and contractual
growth in passenger transport markets across Europe.
The cost of the acquisition has not been disclosed. VTCE annual
revenues for 2012 were €253 million.
VTCE employs more than 6,300 people and operates some 3,400
vehicles from some 60 depots across six
countries[1].
Its core business is providing bus services to local authorities
responsible for city and regional transportation. VTCE delivers
other complementary passenger transport services including
inter-regional lines, long distance and international lines,
school, charter and personnel services, and a regional train
service in the Czech Republic.
The acquisition complements and expands Arriva's activities in
existing markets in Czech
Republic, Poland and
Slovakia, and sees the business
enter new markets in Croatia,
Serbia and Slovenia.
It further expands Arriva's growing portfolio of passenger
transport holdings and contracts across the UK and mainland
Europe, bringing the total number
of countries in which Arriva has a presence to 15, with a workforce
of more than 55,000[2] people.
- In the Czech Republic, VTCE is the bus
market leader with an established presence around the major cities
of Prague, Ostrava and Teplice,
operating some 1,600 vehicles and employing more than 2,600 people.
The acquisition sees Arriva enter the Czech Republic rail market, with operations in
Northern Moravia.
- In Slovakia, nearly 600
employees and some 320 buses serve the Nitra region in the south
west of the country.
- Arriva enters the Polish bus market with some 840
vehicles and 1,800 employees in the north and south of the country,
building on Arriva's presence operating trains in the north west of
the country.
- Arriva enters the bus markets in Serbia -
operating in Belgrade, and
regional international and charter traffic in Pozarevac;
Slovenia -
operating in Ljubljana and
Novo Mesto, and Croatia - operating regional,
inter-regional and international services.
Mike Cooper, deputy CEO and MD -
mainland Europe, said: "This
acquisition is an important strategic fit for Arriva. It provides a
unique opportunity for us to achieve a sustainable, strong market
leading position in Central and Eastern
Europe. VTCE has a long established position in the
Czech Republic, Slovakia and Poland bus markets and an established presence
in Croatia, Serbia and
Slovenia.
"The businesses are highly regarded for their operational
excellence and we will be seeking to build on this success. We very
much look forward to welcoming our new employees to the Arriva
group. We will focus on working very closely with our new partners
and developing strong, long-term relationships that enable Arriva
to bring value to clients and customers."
Commenting on Arriva's recent growth, CEO David Martin said: "This acquisition will help
build on the continued growth and development across our
organisation. As well as building up our presence in exciting newer
markets such as these, we have recently strengthened our leadership
positions in key established markets, including Sweden, the
Netherlands, Denmark and
the UK. In order to deliver on these and our existing contracts
across Europe, we have invested
significantly in our fleet, spending €468 million on new buses and
trains.
"Looking forward, the opportunities present in passenger
transport markets in Europe are
tremendous, and our experience and capability provide Arriva with a
unique opportunity. We have a strong track record of delivering
positive returns to shareholders, and bringing real value to
tendering authorities, helping to transform the way in which
passenger transport is delivered. To achieve this we will
continue to actively pursue a blend of further acquisitions and
contract wins, while retaining and growing our existing businesses
through organic expansion."
Notes to editors
- Arriva is one of the largest providers of passenger transport
in Europe, employing more
than 55,000[2] people (including
associate businesses, and including staff at VTCE) and delivering
more than 1.5 billion passenger journeys every year.
- We provide transport services including buses, trains, commuter
coaches and waterbuses, and operate in 15 European countries:
Czech Republic, Denmark, Hungary, Italy, Malta,
the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden
and the UK, and now Croatia,
Serbia and Slovenia.
- Arriva is part of Deutsche Bahn, one of the world's leading
passenger transport and logistics service
providers. Headquartered in Sunderland, UK, Arriva is responsible for
Deutsche Bahn's regional passenger transport services outside
Germany.
- The breakdown[] of buses and employees
is:
- Poland - 1,800 employees, 840
buses
- Czech Republic - 2,600
employees, 1,600 buses, 4 trains
- Slovakia - 580 employees, 320
buses
- Serbia - 580 employees, 250 buses
- Slovenia - 520 employees, 270
buses
- Croatia - 260 employees, 120
buses
