BRITISH bus and rail operator Arriva has entered the German regional rail market by purchasing a 90% stake in Prignitzer Eisenbahn Gruppe. Announced on April 1, the €6m deal is subject to ratification by the German competition agency.
Founded by Thomas Becken, who will remain as Managing Director under Arriva ownership, PEG has contracts to operate three groups of regional services in Nordrhein-Westfalen, Brandenburg and Mecklenburg-Vortpommern. It has a fleet of 21 diesel multiple-units and a staff of 250.
The company is due to take over two more franchises in Westmünsterland and Ostbrandenburg later this year, lifting its annual turnover to around €55m.
