10 May 2004
Secretary of state for transport to mark Arriva investment
- The Rt. Hon. Alistair Darling MP to open Arriva's new £5million Birkenhead garage
- Significant investment represents Arriva's commitment toMerseyside
- Vastly improved working conditions for employees
The secretary of state for transport, the Rt. Hon. AlistairDarling MP will officially open Arriva's new Birkenhead garage on11 May 2004.
Benefiting from an investment of some £5 million, thegarage, which is situated on a former tram shed site, has beentransformed into a modern, efficient, bus garage and workplace withstate of the art facilities.
The major two-year development reflects Arriva's commitment tobus services in the region and supports its investment of over£20 million in new buses during the last three years.
Buses from the Birkenhead garage, which deliver the majority ofArriva services on the Wirral Peninsula, carry more than 140,000customers every week and travel some 7.5 million miles acrossMerseyside every year.
Housing 116 vehicles, nearly 40 per cent of which are low flooreasy access, the garage is the base for a workforce of nearly 350people, including drivers, clerical employees and engineers.
The original garage dates back to 1903, when it was built as atram shed. Two further bus garages were built in the 1930s and1960s.
When Arriva acquired the premises in 2000, they were in a poorstate of repair and required much refurbishment and structuralimprovement to efficiently cope with the demands of a busy busgarage.
The development has delivered a state of the art environment,with a new 14-bay modern workshop, MOT testing station, busfuelling and washing facilities.
Central to Arriva's redevelopment of the Birkenhead garage hasbeen the attention to providing an improved workingenvironment.
Employees also benefit from a temperature control system,improved lighting, refurbished rest and canteen facilities and anew social club, which can accommodate over 150 people.
Bob Davies, chief executive of Arriva plc, said:
This investment in our Birkenhead garage clearlydemonstrates our commitment to providing quality bus services inMerseyside. The development is extensive and has resulted in theprovision of a modern, efficient garage delivering 140,000passenger journeys every week. Throughout the development, ouremployees have ensured that there has been no disruption toservices for our customers.
The Rt. Hon. Alistair Darling MP said:
I am pleased to have been asked to open Arriva's newBirkenhead garage today.
Arriva's multi-million pound investment programme showsits commitment to improving and maintaining essential bus servicesfor the people of Merseyside.
Ends
Note to editors
- Arriva is Merseyside's biggest bus operator, employing nearly2,500 people. It provides over 60 per cent of the total bus marketand the vast majority of its services – around 93 per cent– receive no funding.