Arriva names managing director for Arriva Buses Wales

Leading UK bus operator Arriva plc today announced theappointment of Michael Morton as managing director of Arriva BusesWales.

Michael has worked in the transport industry since 1980, when hejoined Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive as atrainee and held various positions up to 1988. He then becameoperations director of Fylde Borough Transport and from 1999 wasmanaging director of Blackburn Borough Transport.

Mike Cooper, managing director for Arriva UK Regions, said:“Michael's appointment will mean that Arriva's bus servicesin Wales are managed by a senior team based in Wales. A localteam serving our local customers will be best placed to develop ourworking relationships with the Welsh Assembly Government, withlocal authorities and with other stakeholders.

"His wealth of transport industry experience in a range oflocations will bring a renewed focus on our Welsh bus operations,to provide the best possible services which are an essential partof community life."

Michael, aged 50, takes up his new role at Arriva Buses Wales on1 January 2009. The Arriva Buses Wales management team will bebased in Llandudno.

Arriva provides bus services across North Wales from Aberystwythto Anglesey and Deeside with a fleet of some 270 buses. Thecompany employs 700 people in its North Wales bus operations, withprincipal depots at Aberystwyth, Bangor, Hawarden, Llandudno, Rhyl,and Wrexham.