Arriva announces £340m investment in UK bus fleet and depot renewal

Arriva Group has announced a £340m investment programme to transform and modernise its UK bus operations, with communities in West Yorkshire the first to benefit from brand-new lower-emission buses.

The programme will fund new vehicles and depot upgrades designed to improve customer experience, modernise operations and support greater use of sustainable public transport.

The first phase is already underway, with 50 new single and double-decker buses entering service in West Yorkshire as part of the nationwide fleet renewal programme. These Yorkshire built Alexander Dennis vehicles were officially launched at an event in Wakefield on March 13, attended by Transport Minister Simon Lightwood in his capacity as Member of Parliament for Wakefield and Rothwell.

Martijn Gilbert, Managing Director of Arriva UK Bus, said: “This is just the start of a major investment programme that will transform our operations across the UK for the benefit of both customers and colleagues.

“Buses play a vital role in connecting communities, reducing congestion, improving air quality and supporting economic growth. We are investing to make journeys even greener, while demonstrating our long-term commitment to the UK bus market and to the customers we serve.”

In total, Arriva is committing £340m to the programme, including a £310m investment in 809 brand-new vehicles and the refurbishment of more than 150 vehicles that are already in operation. A further £30m will be invested in upgrades to the company’s property portfolio, in addition to continued investment in depot electrification schemes.

By the end of the programme, more than 500 new buses will join Arriva’s regional fleets, with a further 300 vehicles delivered for Arriva’s London operations. Over 50 per cent of the new vehicles will be fully electric, with the remainder being low emission.

The programme of investment will also significantly expand Arriva’s zero-emission depot capability with sites in Thornton Heath, Palmers Green, Dartford and Thurmaston (Leicester) becoming fully electric, joining Brixton Tram Shed as 100% zero-emission depots. Further electrification is planned in Blyth, Durham, Darlington and Tamworth in partnership with local authorities. Every region where Arriva UK Bus operates will benefit from the investment programme.

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Notes to editors:

The vehicles ordered are listed below according to manufacturer and location:

About Arriva:

Arriva is a leading provider of passenger transport across Europe, employing around 36,200 people and delivering around 1.5 billion passenger journeys. With buses, trains, coaches, trams, waterbuses, bike-sharing systems, on-demand transport solutions and a rolling stock leasing company, Arriva proudly connects people and communities safely, reliably and sustainably across 11 countries, delivering these services in a better way, every day. The activities of Arriva are divided into three business units: UK Bus, UK Trains and Europe. Arriva has passenger transport operations in the Czech Republic, Croatia, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and the United Kingdom, and also operates a rolling stock leasing company in Romania.