North East transport group Arriva has secured a £12.7m contract in Croatia which it says will add hundreds of thousands of kilometres to its operations in the country.
The Sunderland-based company – one of the North East’s largest businesses – has won a new seven-year public service contract in Lika-Senj county, a central area of the country where it has operated for more than 40 years.
The new contract and network upgrade will add around 600,000 kilometres each year to Arriva’s operations in the area, delivered by a fleet of 21 buses and 32 drivers, including 10 new employees.
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Arriva’s share of the total €27.5m (£23m) contract is valued at around €15.2m (£12.78m) over the seven years.
The North East firm, which employs around 32,600 people, is one of Europe’s biggest transport operators, delivering around 1.5bn passenger journeys each year across 11 countries with buses, trains, coaches, trams, waterbuses, bike-sharing systems, on-demand transport solutions and a rolling stock leasing company.
In Croatia, Arriva operates across 14 of its 20 counties, offering long-distance, regional and city transport.
Sian Leydon, Arriva’s managing director for mainland Europe, said: “This contract win is an important step in our strategy to provide accessible passenger transport in Croatia and strengthen Arriva’s position across Europe. It reflects the quality of our services, the adaptability of our business, and our commitment to connecting communities through reliable, sustainable public transport.
“With a long-standing presence in Lika-Senj County, we’re proud to have been chosen to deliver these essential services, and we look forward to helping more people access jobs, education and healthcare through better transport links.
“In addition, the introduction of long-term Public Service Contracts in line with EU regulation opens up new opportunities for operators like Arriva. With our size, scale and experience across 11 European markets, we are well placed to support public transport authorities in delivering high-quality, cost-efficient transport services that meet the needs of local communities.”