Arriva Malta is part of the Arriva group, which is owned by Deutsche Bahn. Arriva is a leading pan-European public transport group and currently operates across 11 European countries, with 38,500 employees (including share of associate companies).
Arriva runs a range of transport services including buses, trains, coaches, waterbuses and airport-related transport services, and bus and coach distribution.
With operations in the Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden and the UK, Arriva provides more than a billion passenger journeys every year.
You can find out more about the Arriva group by visiting the group website.
Arriva's history
The roots of Arriva are in Sunderland, in the north of England, where the company still has its head office. Back in 1938 the Cowie family opened a second-hand motorcycle shop in Sunderland. In 1960 the company, still called Cowie, moved into motor retailing. And in 1980 it started to purchase bus companies with the acquisition of the Grey-Green bus company in London. Over the next few years, there were more bus company acquisitions with the biggest, British Bus Group plc, in 1996 making the business one of the largest bus operators in the UK.
In 1997 Cowie had a name change and the Arriva brand was born, bringing together many different company backgrounds under the Arriva flag. Also in that year Arriva acquired its first business on the European mainland - Unibus Holdings in Denmark. In 1999 Arriva recognised the long-term growth opportunities that would be presented by the historic opening of transport markets across Europe, and refocused its strategy to concentrate on public transport. Arriva sold its contract hire, motor retailing and vehicle rental businesses. And in their place, carefully and patiently built up a network of operations in mainland Europe, through targeted acquisitions and contract wins, and today operates around 7,500 buses and 177 train sets in mainland Europe.
In August 2010, Arriva was acquired by Deutsche Bahn (DB), one of the world's leading passenger and logistics service providers, employing 220,000 people across 130 countries.
Arriva is the division responsible for all of DB's passenger transport operations outside Germany, retaining the Arriva name and brand.
Arriva's operations
- United Kingdom: Arriva operates around 6,300 buses and runs two UK rail franchises, with 217 train sets, making it one of the largest public transport operators in the UK. We have 22,800 employees. Arriva has been involved in the bus market since the 1980's and won its first rail franchise in 2004.
- The Netherlands: Arriva began operating in the Netherlands in 1998, and now has 560 buses and 58 train sets. We have 1,600 employees. Arriva is the largest private train operator and amongst the three largest bus operators.
- Italy: After entering the Italian bus market in 2002, Arriva has become the largest wholly-privately owned bus operator in Italy, with 1,900 buses, operating mainly in the north of the country. We have 2,500 employees.
- Denmark: Arriva is the largest privately-owned public transport operator in Denmark, running 1,400 buses and 47 train sets. We have 4,000 employees. Arriva entered the Danish bus market in 1997 and started running trains in 2003.
- Sweden: Arriva entered the Swedish bus market in 1998 and now runs 620 buses. We have 1,870 employees. Arriva entered the rail market in 2007 and operates 46 trains.
- Spain: Arriva entered the Spanish bus market in 1999 and is one of the largest private operators in the fragmented market with 460 buses. We have 850 employees. Arriva operates in Madrid, Galicia and Mallorca.
- Portugal: Arriva is the third largest bus operator in Portugal. We operate 1,550 buses, including our share of Portugal's largest transport group, Barraqueiro, in which we have a 31.5 per cent stake. Arriva first started operated in Portugal in 2000. Through Barraqueiro Arriva also has an interest in rail and tram services, and in 2010 we started operating trams in Oporto. Including our share of Barraqueiro, we have 6 trains, 39 trams and 3,100 employees.
- Czech Republic: Arriva entered the Czech Republic bus market in 2006 and operates 250 buses around Prague. We have 400 employees.
- Poland: Arriva began operating trains in Poland in 2007 and is the only private company to operate a rail contract. We run 20 trains with 140 employees.
- Slovakia: Arriva entered the Slovakian bus market in 2008 and is the largest privately owned bus operator, with 600 buses and 1,010 employees.
- Hungary: In 2008 Arriva also began operating buses in Hungary. With 110 buses, Arriva is the largest privately owned bus operator. We have 230 employees.
Arriva's stakeholders
- To our passengers, Arriva aims to provide an attractive alternative to other modes of transport, and safe, reliable and comfortable travel.
- To our transport authority customers, Arriva brings the benefits of private sector delivery, value for money for the services their communities rely on, improved services and lower public spending.
- To our employees Arriva aims to provides worthwhile long-term work, bringing recognised value to their own communities and a safe, supportive working environment, with a commitment to training and development.
- To the wider community in every city, region or country where we operate, Arriva aims to provide responsible management of the environmental impact of our operations, the social and economic benefits of affordable, accessible travel and a safe, supportive working environment.