Arriva on board for 2008

• Bus operator is an official transporter for European Capital ofCulture 2008
• 3-year deal includes free transport and advertising for major'08' events
• Photo call: 9.30am, Thursday, 26 October at Liver Buildings

Bus operator Arriva has become the latest official supplier forLiverpool's European Capital of Culture year in 2008.

The 3-year agreement, signed off this week, means Arriva will beproviding free transport at a number of major events in the cityduring the build-up to 2008.

The company, which handles 100 million passenger journeys peryear in Merseyside, will also display the '08' logo on theirvehicles and buses will carry additional advertising messages andleaflets to promote key events, such as the renowned Tall ShipsRace.

To celebrate the announcement, Arriva is also launching itsupgraded Le bus network of high quality, low-floor vehicles, whichhighlight an investment of over £10 million on new buses forLiverpool in the last 12 months.

Over the next year, over 200 buses will be allocated to 15 keyroutes into Liverpool, all of which will guarantee a ten minuteservice during the day and low floor access every time.

Bob Hind, managing director of Arriva North West and Wales,said:

2008 will be a monumental year in the history ofLiverpool and we're delighted to be on board and supporting thecity's plans. Our buses are an important part of many people'severyday lives and we've invested heavily to make sure thatLiverpool has the quality of service it needs to make 2008 asuccess for all involved.

Many Arriva drivers are also studying foreign language coursesat GCSE level, paid for by the company, at Prescot Language Schooland Knowsley Community College to help deal with the expectedincrease in tourism. It is estimated an extra 1.7 million peoplewill visit Liverpool in 2008.

Mr Hind added:

Currently we have drivers learning French and Spanishand they are keen to put their new skills to good use in the nearfuture. It's all part of embracing the positive changes that willtake place in Liverpool as a result of 2008.

Chris Green, operations director of the Liverpool CultureCompany, said:

This deal is a huge boost to the way in which peoplewill learn about and experience our celebrations during2008.

Arriva has made a huge commitment to improve itsservices in time for 08. It is a shining example of how businessescan play their part in making Liverpool a world class destinationto relish, remember and revisit.

Event: Bob Hind of Arriva and Chris Green ofthe Liverpool Culture Company celebrate the 08 Official Supplierdeal on board a new 'Le Bus'

Location: Canada Boulevard, adjacent to TheLiver Buildings

Date: Thursday, 26 October

Time: 9.30am

Note to editors

• Arriva is one of the largest private sector providers ofpassenger transport in mainland Europe, employing nearly 33,000people (including 3,500 in Merseyside). The company providestransport services including buses, trains, commuter coaches andwater buses, and operates in eight European countries: Denmark,Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and theUK. It was the first UK transport company to signthe European Road Safety Charter.
• Liverpool Culture Company: Established by Liverpool CityCouncil in 2000 to co-ordinate the successful bid to be EuropeanCapital of Culture in 2008. The first announcement on the 2008highlights will be made on Monday 6 November.
• There are four levels of sponsorship available to support the'08 Culture programme, including Partner, Supporter, Supplier andFriend. Potential sponsors can contribute from £20,000 tomore than £2 million.
• Official Partners to date are: UK top law firm Hill Dickinson,United Utilities, Radio City 96.7, Enterprise Plc, North WestRegional Development Agency, Alliance & Leicester CommercialBank and Sayers the Bakers and Trinity Mirror North West &North Wales.
• Research among owners, general managers and chief executives,has revealed that almost a third (31%) of Liverpool businesses areplanning to invest in their company ahead of 2008.
• For further information please call Mike Doran at the LiverpoolCulture Company on 0151 233 6761 or 0780 145 3918. For the latestnews from Liverpool, European Capital 2008, visitwww.liverpool08.com.