Arriva enters Polish rail market with innovative contract win

Arriva plc, one of Europe’s leading bus and railoperators, has entered the Polish rail market with 50/50 jointventure partner PCC Rail, one of Poland’s fastest growingcargo operators.

The PCC Arriva Consortium has been awarded a three-year contractto operate a package of diesel train services in Kujawsko-PomorskieVoidvodship (Region) in north-west Poland. The contract is expectedto generate approximately £20 million (PLN 100 million)revenue for the Consortium over its lifetime. Operations willstart in December 2007, serving around 60 stations and runningapproximately 1.75 million kilometres a year.

David Martin, Arriva’s chief executive, said: “Ourentry into Poland, one of Europe’s major national markets forpassenger transport, will increase the number of countries in whichArriva operates to ten. This is the first contract award ofits type in the country, and will further develop Arriva’sreputation for innovation in bringing private sector expertise tomainland European transport operations. We look forward toexploring similar opportunities in both bus and rail in Poland.

“Arriva’s experience of competitive tendering andPCC Rail’s in-depth understanding of the Polish rail markethave made it possible to develop a consortium bid that demonstrateshow private operators can add value to the Polish transportsector. We look forward to working with our partners todeliver high quality services which represent good value for thetendering authority.”

Work has already started to create the new operation, which willemploy around 120 people. A local administration and traincrew base will be established to recruit and train staff for thenew company.