Plan for Rail: Private operators welcome Great British Railways

Arriva Group supports the Williams-Shapps Plan for Rail

Arriva shares the government’s ambition for a passenger-centric railway that puts high quality services at its heart and responds to the changing needs of consumers, so we welcome reform and stand ready to deliver a modernised and financially stable railway as the country recovers from Covid.

We are pleased that the private sector is recognised for the significant role we play and, in particular, the recognition of the London Overground concession model, which Arriva operates for Transport for London.

It is right that new contracts will prioritise quality services, with a focus on punctuality and reliability. We look forward to working alongside Great British Railways to deliver long-term reform and the commitment to growing the network, as part of a modern and green railway, that meets the needs of the nation.

It is crucial to bring customers safely back to rail and we welcome measures, such as flexible season tickets and digital ticketing that reflect consumer needs and changing working and leisure patterns. We look forward to working alongside government to help shape the details of these plans and to deliver reform at pace.

David Brown is managing director of Arrive Trains UK