Arriva Wins UK Rail Franchise

European rail operator Arriva has won a new cross-country rail franchise covering 1,500 miles in the UK.

The route, which stretches from Aberdeen in Scotland to Penzance in Cornwall and from Stansted in Essex to Cardiff in Wales calls at more than 100 stations and is the most extensive rail franchise in the UK.

The new franchise includes five high-speed trains (HST), the ability to print tickets at home and Wi-Fi availability on all HSTs and Voyagers.

Arriva says its new cross-country operation will support growth in regional travel by rail, help to ease congestion and contribute to improving the UK's environment.

The franchise will run from 11 November 2007 to 31 March 2016. Annual revenue is expected to exceed £600 million in its first full year.

Arriva's rail services operate in Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden and the UK with Polish services scheduled to start in late 2007.