Partner Article

Arriva boosted by ticket sales

NORTH East transport group Arriva said it had made a good start to 2010 as growing ticket sales on its UK buses and trains offset weaknesses in its European business.

The Sunderland firm said ticket sales were up 8.9% on its CrossCountry service and 10.8% on its Arriva Trains Wales franchise in the 15 weeks to April 25.

Last month the company was the subject of a £1.6bn takeover offer by German state rail company Deutsche Bahn.

Revenues grew 2.7% at its British bus business but dropped 5.3% at its mainland Europe division, primarily reflecting the end of a large contract in Holland.

However, the bus and train operator said it had won contracts in Denmark, Germany and Portugal so far this year.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .