UK: Arriva Group has announced the acquisition of RTS Infrastructure, marking the international public transport operating group’s entry into the UK rail infrastructure construction market and also expanding its rolling stock maintenance capabilities.
Leeds-based RTS Infrastructure holds a Network Rail Principal Contractor Licence and undertakes infrastructure works such as platform upgrades, depot construction projects and track alterations across the UK. It also provides rolling stock maintenance and support services for customers including Network Rail, train operators and manufacturers.
Arriva will take over RTS Infrastructure’s existing contracts and the lease of its depot at Holbeck in Leeds, which will become a ‘key part’ of Arriva’s national depot network, expanding its overnight servicing capacity. Arriva said all RTS Infrastructure’s employee roles and customer agreements will be unaffected.
‘This acquisition is an important investment for the Arriva Group and underlines our commitment to the UK rail industry, building our position within it’, said Amanda Furlong, Managing Director of Arriva UK Trains, on October 9. ‘This deal is crucial to our strategy to diversify in the UK rail market and operate more flexibly in a changing policy and commercial environment.’
RTS Infrastructure Managing Director Chris Reid said ‘becoming part of Arriva will allow us to expand and enhance the services we offer our customers, backed by the strength, scale and expertise of a pan-European organisation with its established and diverse UK rail portfolio. Our staff will also benefit from being part of the group, with all the opportunities that will bring for future careers.’
