Arriva pulls out of Wales & Borders franchise contest

TRANSPORT for Wales announced on October 30 that Arriva has confirmed its intention to withdraw from the competition for the new Wales & Borders franchise.

Alongside Abellio Rail Cymru, KeolisAmey, and MTR Corporation (Cymru), Arriva Rail Wales was invited by the Welsh government on September 28 to submit a final offer for the next franchise.

“It is not uncommon for bidders for major projects to withdraw during the tender process and Arriva have been clear they have done this for their own commercial reasons,” Transport for Wales said in a statement.

Arriva is the operator of the current Wales & Borders franchise, which began in 2003 and expires in October 2018.

The Welsh government expects to announce the successful bidder for the new franchise early next year.