Arriva Group and RTS Infrastructure have concluded a deal which sees Arriva acquire RTS’s train maintenance and depot business as well as its design and build rail infrastructure construction business.
This is Arriva’s first foray into the UK rail infrastructure construction market. This deal also greatly expands its train maintenance capabilities with the addition of a depot near Leeds, which Arriva says completes its train care business offering.
Arriva will take on RTS Infrastructure’s existing maintenance and design and build contracts.
The agreement includes the lease of a rail maintenance facility near Leeds Station, which will form part of Arriva’s national network of depots and expand its overnight rail vehicle servicing capacity.
Located in Leeds, RTS Infrastructure provides rail depot servicing and infrastructure works such as platform upgrades and track alterations. It holds a Network Rail Principal Contractor Licence, which gives Arriva access to a whole new service offering.
Amanda Furlong, Managing Director of Arriva UK Trains and member of the Arriva Executive Committee, said:This acquisition is an important investment for the Arriva Group and underlines our commitment to the UK rail industry, building our position within it. RTS Infrastructure not only strengthens our depot capacity, but brings valuable construction and infrastructure capability in-house and enhances our competitiveness in the rail sector. 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.
