Arriva Group charts future course under new ownership

Credit: Arriva Group

Arriva Group, a prominent provider of passenger transport across Europe, has announced that it has successfully concluded its acquisition by  I Squared Capital, a global infrastructure investment manager. The acquisition, which had first been disclosed in October 2023, encompasses all of the public transport company’s operations spanning 11 countries.

Mike Cooper, CEO of Arriva Group, expressed enthusiasm about the completion of the transaction, describing it as a significant milestone and a promising new phase for the company. He stated, “Closing this transaction marks an important milestone and an exciting new chapter for Arriva. It is an opportunity for Arriva to recommit to working alongside passenger transport authorities to deliver essential transport links and build a more sustainable future for our colleagues, customers and the communities we serve.”

Mohamed El Gazzar, Senior Partner at I Squared, said: “Passenger transport plays a vital role in society, connecting communities and facilitating economic growth, while reducing carbon emissions and congestion. Arriva plans to be at the heart of this agenda, working alongside its transport authorities and clients.”

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Enrico Del Prete, Fund Partner at I Squared, said: “Decarbonising public transport is one of the next big challenges in the energy transition and we are excited to work with Arriva to provide the support and investment that will help the company achieve its vision of cleaner cities and greener public transport networks. We see genuine growth potential that can be unlocked at Arriva over the long-term.”

The transition ensures continuity of services across Arriva’s extensive network, providing reassurance to employees regarding their employment conditions and their continued role in serving communities.