Arriva puts together winning team for 2010 Ryder Cup

Leading transport group Arriva has won the contract to operatecorporate coach services for one the world’s greatest golfingtournaments.

Arriva’s bid has secured the prestigious contract tosupply more than 120 coaches a day for the 2010 Ryder Cup at TheCeltic Manor, Newport, South Wales.

GTS Events, the company appointed by Ryder Cup Europe LLP toimplement the Ryder Cup transport policy, has selected Arriva toco-ordinate and deliver transport for VIPs, the media, andspectators on Ryder Cup Travel Services and Premier Golf Tourpackages during the six-day tournament from 28 September to 3October 2010.

The combined skills of the group’s Tellings Golden Miller(TGM) coach business and Arriva UK Trains Road Transport Sectionwill provide the winning formula needed to meet the complexlogistical demands of the contract.

TGM will lead the delivery of on-the-ground coach services whichare expected to carry more than 70,000 golf fans and VIPs fromtheir hotels across the region to the tournament. Arriva UK TrainsRoad Transport Section, created to provide rail replacement andtrain crew transport for Arriva’s rail franchises, will useits contacts, local route knowledge and management expertise tocommission the additional high quality, third party coach operatorsto complement TGM’s coaches and fulfil the contract.

Stephen Telling, TGM managing director, said: “Thiscontract win is an excellent example of how Arriva businesses canwork together to pool the breadth of experience we have to deliverprofessional, co-ordinated, transport solutions for ourcustomers.

“By bringing TGM’s experience in premium coachservices and sports team transportation together with the excellentcontacts and management skills of our Road Transport Section, wehave created our own winning team to offer a complete package forthis prestigious sporting event.”

Martijn Gilbert, road transport manager at Arriva UK Trains RoadTransport Section, said: “Since our creation one year ago wehave established links with more than 450 UK coach, bus and taxioperators. They’ve all have passed our stringent assessmentand audit process to ensure high standards of service and thiscontract will allow us to use these partnerships to fulleffect.

“Securing a contract for a major event like the Ryder Cupis a fantastic achievement and our approach will benefit ourclient, coach operators and the Welsh economy. It builds on ourrecent success in providing road transport services for the 2009Cosford Airshow and the new Ffos Las Racecourse in Carmarthenshireand shows our ability to grow our business by looking for newopportunities that compliment our core activities.”

Any coach operators interested becoming an approved operator forArriva UK Trains Road Transport Section can download an applicationform at www.railbyroad.com or contact 02920720 582. 

Notes

• Tellings Golden Miller is a bus and coach operator providingcrew and air-side passenger transport services for airlines atHeathrow and scheduled and private hire services to a broadcustomer base. Operations are throughout the UK from bases atHeathrow and in London, Hampshire, East Anglia, County Durham andTyne & Wear. Visitwww.tellingsgoldenmiller.co.uk forfurther information. Arriva acquired TGM in 2008.
• Arriva UK Trains Road Transport Section procures and managesthe delivery of bus, coach and taxis for rail replacement servicesand train crew transfer for Arriva’s UK rail businesses– Arriva Trains Wales and CrossCountry. Based in Cardiff, thesection works with over 450 fully approved and audited third partybus, coach and taxi operators across the UK. For furtherinformation visit www.railbyroad.com