Arriva confirms major bus investment for 2009

Arriva plc, one of the UK’s leading bus operators, todayconfirmed it has placed orders for its UK bus business which willsee more than 500 new buses come into service during 2009. Theorders represent a second year of significant fleet renewal andgrowth by the group with investment totalling more than £130mover 2008 and 2009.

The buses for delivery in 2009, ordered from a number ofmanufacturers, represent an investment of some £70 million.They are being deployed across the group’s UK businesses inNorth East and North West England, Yorkshire, the Midlands, SouthEast and Southern England, Scotland, Wales and London.

Arriva’s group technical services director Mark Bowd said:“This is a further major investment by Arriva whichdemonstrates the company’s commitment to further improvingthe reliability and standards of our bus services. We arecontinuing our work with a range of suppliers to ensure ourbusinesses have the flexibility to provide even better services forcustomers, with buses which cater to their needs.

“Buses offer great value for people travelling in and outof towns and cities and we hope this investment will contributetowards attracting more people to the bus when they see thecomfort, convenience and environmental benefits that bus travel canoffer.”

The range of new vehicles being brought into service next yearwill also include features such as the latest Euro 5 compliantengines, CCTV as standard and easy-access low floor entry.