ARRIVA GROUP
train service outside of London , and through this franchise with Arriva , will see over £ 1 billion of investment to improve the service over the next nine years . Arriva Rail North will look to invest £ 1.2 billion on 285 new trains , introduce new rolling stops and refurbish the existing fleet , a significant investment in the customer experience .
“ The facts are that we are putting new rolling stock and significant investment into Northern Rail over the next nine years , which speaks to the way in which the Government wants to create the ‘ Northern Powerhouse ’ in the UK and it ’ s an affirmation of the investment needed to bring it [ Northern Rail ] where it needs to be ,” adds Loseby . Asset management on such a large scale will inevitably bring with it difficulties , challenges and obstacles which Arriva must overcome . Working across different localities , one of the things that Loseby finds most challenging is striking the right balance between the direction of the company and the direction of the localities .
“ You have to have an open and listening dialogue with all of the operations , because if you don ’ t you ’ ll end up with a central function that doesn ’ t understand the local business ,” Loseby adds .
It is this balance , between what the local passenger , the local transport authorities expect , and what Arriva can offer in terms of competitive advantage that will maintain Arriva ’ s status as Europe ’ s largest transport operator .
98 July 2016