Arriva pulls out of rail franchise bid to run train services through Shropshire
Rail operator Arriva Trains Wales has pulled out of the bidding process for the franchise to provide services for passengers travelling in and out of Shropshire from late 2018.
The German-owned train company is the current holder of the Wales and Borders rail franchise and is an integral part of plans to provide £1 million worth of support towards a programme for more than 300 new trains funded by the Welsh Government.
Tom Joyner, managing director of Arriva Trains Wales said: “Arriva Group has withdrawn from the bidding process for the next Wales and Borders franchise.
"Our key priority following this announcement is to continue to focus on the delivery of our services for the people and communities that depend on us for the remainder of the current franchise, including a £1m Arriva Trains Wales investment in additional trains which will be introduced in 2018.”
Three groups remain in the tendering process – KeolisAmey, Hong Kong-based MTR Corporation and Abellio Group.
