EUROPE
As part of Arriva Group’s forward-looking strategy to operate a tighter portfolio and remain competitive for the long-term, the DB-owned company has sold a number of its European operations. The Group has entered into an agreement for the sale of its businesses in Denmark and Serbia, as well as its bus business in Poland, to international financial investor Mutares, completing its strategy, launched in 2021, to focus on core markets in the UK and mainland Europe.
The sale agreement includes the purchase of the entire Danish business, including the bus, water bus and rail operations, its franchise in the car-sharing company Share Now and UCplus, a nationwide education centre; the entire Serbian business, which is the second largest private operator of buses in Serbia; and the Polish bus business, which operates city-based public transport contracts in Warsaw, and regional services in the Kujawsko-Pomorskie and Pomorskie regions. The Polish rail business unit is not part of the transaction and will remain part of the Arriva Group portfolio.
Completion of the transaction is expected towards the end of 2022, subject to conditions, including approval by parent company Deutsche Bahn’s Supervisory Board and the German Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport, as well as antitrust clearance by the respective local authorities.
Commenting on the sale agreement, Arriva Group CEO Mike Cooper said: “The agreement for Mutares to acquire the businesses in Denmark and Serbia and the bus business in Poland is good news for our colleagues, customers and stakeholders, providing clarity and continuity. Mutares has ambitions to maintain and grow operations and strengthen the market positions of these businesses. With a focus on Europe and the company’s expertise in the industry, I believe Mutares is well placed to support the continued development of these businesses going forward.
“I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone in these businesses for their contribution to Arriva and to the important role they have played, and will continue to play, in their local communities. I look forward to seeing them thrive and prosper under a new owner.”
A decision by Arriva to refocus the Group’s portfolio was taken in 2020/21 following a strategic review of the business, carried out in partnership with Deutsche Bahn, and is part of the company’s forward-looking strategy to maintain a strong and competitive business for the long-term. The latest transaction follows the sale of Arriva’s rail and bus business in Sweden to VR Group, which was completed in July 2022, and Arriva’s bus business in Lisbon to Dan Group which is expected to complete later this year.
