Arriva posts strong annual results

Arriva, the European passenger transport group has published a review of its performance in the 12 months ending 31 December 2015.

Results reveal a strong year for Arriva with revenue up 4.8 percent and EBITDA growth rising 5.4 percent compared to the previous year. In addition, 2015 saw the appointment of new chief executive, Manfred Rudhart.

Commenting on the published results, Mr Rudhart said, “We delivered growth throughout 2015 and continued to invest back into the business.

“Arriva’s proven strategy continues to be successful, as highlighted by another positive year of EBITDA and revenue growth.

“In our UK Trains business we were delighted to be awarded the Northern rail franchise last December. We are ready to begin the contract on April 1 and start our journey to deliver a step-change in quality for customers. Our other UK train operating companies have each performed well with high satisfaction scores from customers, Chiltern Railways opening the first new rail line from a British city to London in over 100 years, and national recognition for Arriva Trains Wales, CrossCountry and Chiltern. Last week’s announcement from Transport for London that they intend to award the new London Overground contract to Arriva has capped an exciting period for us.

Arriva CEO Manfred Rudhart

“In UK Bus we have strengthened our senior management team, helping to deliver benefits for customers through meaningful partnerships with local authorities, innovative ticketing solutions, and the latest smartphone technology.

“Across mainland Europe our significant growth has continued and our position in bus and rail markets remains strong. We have made acquisitions in eastern Europe and Italy, while contract wins and successful re-tenders have bolstered our position in countries such as the Netherlands and Denmark.

“Overall we can look back on a positive 2015 which provided further foundations for us to become a bigger, better Arriva in the future. We are well positioned as a respected mobility partner that is prepared to innovate, enter new and liberalising markets, and invest for its people, its partners, and its customers.”

Arriva issues its 2015 key highlights

Growth and investment

• A successful, innovative bid for the Northern rail franchise with substantial investment in rolling stock, stations and ticketing, and a commitment to increase service levels by 37 per cent by 2019

• The launch of the first new rail link between a major British city and London in over 100 years with Chiltern Railways beginning a new service from Oxford Parkway

• A continued major investment into the UK Bus fleet with a restructured and refocussed management team

• Arriva Netherlands awarded a four-year €143 million contract to operate buses in south east Friesland

• Arriva Denmark awarded a €163 million, 10-year bus contract in Copenhagen

• Significant acquisitions in Slovenia and Slovakia and new contracts in Serbia and the Czech Republic, further strengthening Arriva’s position in eastern Europe

Customer experience

• High levels of customer satisfaction across the UK and mainland Europe

• Grand Central placed as the UK’s second highest-rated long distance train operator for customer satisfaction with 93 per cent of passengers satisfied

• Regional UK Bus rated the joint highest national operator with a customer satisfaction rating of 89 per cent and ranked highest for punctuality of services

• Arriva Italy successfully delivering an €11 million contract as the people mobility partner for Expo Milano

Technology and innovation

• Arriva Denmark launched the world’s first integrated electric car sharing scheme in Copenhagen in partnership with DriveNow – seeing 400 BMW i3 electric cars operating in the country’s capital

• Supported by improved functionality, Arriva’s integrated UK Bus mobile app has reached almost 800,000 downloads – averaging around 1,000 downloads each day

• UK Trains launched a new partnership with telecoms provider EE to enhance on-board mobile and wifi coverage

• UK Trains voted Rail Business of the Year in the Rail Business Awards and Chiltern Railways voted Best Train Operator in the first ever Independent Travel Awards

Environment and the community

• Launched Arriva’s new Destination Green initiative which commits to significant goals and employee pledges – including a 30 per cent reduction in annual direct carbon emissions by 2020

• More than 9,000 Arriva buses now equipped with driver-assistance systems and 2,000 with the Econospeed fuel-saving system, developed by Arriva-owned Zeta Automotive

• Arriva Netherlands launching the country’s first CO2-free bus service through renewable energy

• Fifty two electric buses are now operating across the group’s UK and mainland European operations. Arriva London is operating the capital’s first all-electric vehicle bus route

• Arriva becoming a main sponsor for the Sunderland-based Beacon of Light project. The investment will see Arriva helping to boost skills, training and employment opportunities through the ‘Arriva World of Work’ development at the city’s Stadium of Light

People

• Results of the 2014 Employee Survey were released in February 2015 – showing an improved overall employee satisfaction score with 86 per cent of all 55,000 employees proud to work for Arriva

• Seventy four graduates entered the Arriva Graduate Programme between 2012 and 2016 – 88 per cent have remained within Arriva