Editing Arriva (section)

==History==
[[File:Arriva logo.svg|thumb|Previous Arriva logo used from 1997 to 2017. The "a DB company" byline was added in 2010]]
[[File:Arriva Kent & Surrey SN17MXD, Chatham Bus Station, 31 October 2018 (cropped).jpg|thumb|[[Arriva Medway Towns|Arriva Kent and Surrey]] [[Alexander Dennis Enviro200 MMC]] in October 2018 in the 2018 livery]]
[[File:Arriva North West 4205 LJ51DFK (8524986803).jpg|thumb|[[Arriva North West]] [[Wright Eclipse Gemini]] bodied [[Volvo B7TL]] in [[Liverpool]] in March 2013 in the Interurban livery]]
[[File:Arriva DAF SB120 Cadet 1.jpg|thumb|[[Arriva North West & Wales]] [[Wright Cadet]] bodied [[VDL SB120]] in September 2007 in the livery introduced when the Arriva brand was launched in 1997]]
[[File:LTZ1437-19-20241108-105014.jpg|thumb|[[Arriva London]] [[New Routemaster]] in November 2024. Arriva London operates contracted services for [[Transport for London]].]]

The company was founded by TSK Cowie in [[Sunderland]] in 1938. It was initially active as a second-hand motorcycle dealer and traded under the name T. Cowie Limited.<ref name=History>[https://web.archive.org/web/20080920071446/http://www.arriva.co.uk/arriva/en/about_arriva/history_growth/overview/ History and growth] Arriva</ref> During 1948, the business was re-launched by [[Tom Cowie]], the founder's son, still selling motorcycles.<ref name=TomCowie>[https://web.archive.org/web/20090618070059/http://www.sirtomcowie.com/ Background] Sir Tom Cowie</ref> T Cowie plc was floated in December 1964, and in 1965 it bought out the first of many car dealerships.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/sir-tom-cowie-founder-of-a-transport-empire-6297533.html |last=Keleny |first=Anne|title=Sir Tom Cowie: Founder of a transport empire|newspaper=The Independent|location=London|date=1 February 2012}}</ref>

In 1972, it formed Cowie Contract Hire, which became the largest contract hire business in the UK.<ref name=TomCowie/> During 1980, T. Cowie made its first foray into bus operations, buying the [[Grey-Green]] operation in London from the George Ewer Group.<ref name=History/><ref name=FocusTransportFeb12>[http://www.focustransport.org.uk/yarriva1.aspx "How Arriva arrived in the Capital"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121002232343/http://www.focustransport.org.uk/yarriva1.aspx|date=2 October 2012}} ''Focus Transport'' February 2012</ref> In 1984, T. Cowie p.l.c. acquired the Hanger Group, which included Interleasing, a large [[Vehicle leasing|vehicle leasing business]].<ref name=TomCowie/><ref name=Masterlease>[http://www.masterlease.uk.net/contentPagesUK/History.asp History] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160313153650/http://www.masterlease.uk.net/contentPagesUK/History.asp|date=13 March 2016}} Masterlease</ref> Further leasing companies acquired were Marley Leasing,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2507&dat=19870924&id=CDxAAAAAIBAJ&sjid=SVkMAAAAIBAJ&pg=4763,6678102|title=Cowie is raising £45 million for expansion|newspaper=[[The Herald (Glasgow)|Glasgow Herald]]|date=24 September 1987}}</ref> RoyScot Drive<ref>[https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/henlys-criticises-jump-in-earnings-at-cowie-1536623.html "Henly's criticises jump in earnings at Cowie"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160413040505/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/henlys-criticises-jump-in-earnings-at-cowie-1536623.html|date=13 April 2016}} ''[[The Independent]]'' 31 July 1992</ref> and Ringway Leasing.<ref name=FocusTransportFeb12/> Following the retirement of Tom Cowie, the company was renamed Cowie Group plc during April 1994.<ref>[http://data.companieshouse.gov.uk/doc/company/00347103 Companies House extract company no 347103] [[Companies House]]</ref>

As part of the [[privatisation of London bus services]], Cowie Group acquired the [[Arriva London|Leaside Buses]] and [[Arriva London|South London Transport]] business units in September 1994 and January 1995 respectively.<ref>[http://www.arrivalondon.com/files/pdffiles/i4f4e09e8a17a4978501415.pdf The Arriva London Story.] Arriva London. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131111071446/http://www.arrivalondon.com/files/pdffiles/i4f4e09e8a17a4978501415.pdf |date=11 November 2013 }}</ref> Cowie Group also bought [[United Automobile Services]] and [[British Bus]] in July and August 1996, both of which had acquired a number of privatised bus companies.<ref name=History/><ref>{{cite web |archive-url = http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20120119203901/http://www.competition-commission.org.uk/rep_pub/reports/1997/fulltext/396a3.4.pdf |archive-date = 19 January 2012 |url = http://www.competition-commission.org.uk/rep_pub/reports/1997/fulltext/396a3.4.pdf |title = Principal bus operating subsidiaries of British Bus |publisher = [[Competition Commission]] |url-status = usurped |year = 1997}}</ref> As a result of these transactions, in October 1996, Cowie Group was reclassified on the stock exchange from a motor dealer to a transport group.<ref>[http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/archive/1996/10/08/6195930.All_change_as_Cowie_swaps_to_buses/?ref=arc "All change as Cowie swaps to buses"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004220357/http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/archive/1996/10/08/6195930.All_change_as_Cowie_swaps_to_buses/?ref=arc |date=4 October 2013 }}. ''Lancashire Telegraph'' (Blackburn). 8 October 1996.</ref>

In November 1997, the company was rebranded as Arriva p.lc.<ref name=History/> That same year, it also bought Unibus in Denmark, its first venture outside the United Kingdom.<ref name=History/>

During June 1999, Arriva sold its vehicle-hire business to [[General Motors]].<ref name=Masterlease/><ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/gm-unit-buys-arriva-car-hire-in-pounds-513m-deal-1099625.html |title=GM unit buys Arriva car hire in £513m deal |newspaper=The Independent |location=London |date=12 June 1999 |last=Cope |first=Nigel}}</ref> In February 2000, Arriva purchased [[MTL (transport company)|MTL Holdings]], which included its first UK rail franchises, [[Arriva Trains Merseyside|Merseyrail Electrics]] and [[Arriva Trains Northern|Northern Spirit]].<ref name=History/><ref>[http://www.investegate.co.uk/articlePrint.aspx?id=200002180730228111F Recommended Cash Offer for MTL Services] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160414091304/http://www.investegate.co.uk/articlePrint.aspx?id=200002180730228111F |date=14 April 2016 }}. Arriva. 18 February 2000.</ref><ref>Arriva buys MTL for £84m ''[[Rail (magazine)|Rail]]'' issue 378 8 March 2000 page 13</ref> Between 2002 and 2003, Arriva sold its motor-retailing businesses,<ref>{{cite web |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130517133745/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-1730496.html |archive-date = 17 May 2013 |url = http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-1730496.html |title = EU move prompts Arriva to sell car dealerships |work = [[The Independent]] |first = Saeed |last = Shah |date = 15 October 2002}}</ref> furthermore, in February 2006, it also disposed of its vehicle-rental business to [[Northgate plc|Northgate]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Muspratt |first=Caroline |url= https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/2931237/Arriva-sells-off-car-rental-arm.html |title=Arriva sells off car rental arm |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |date=31 January 2006}}</ref> During April 2008, the [[Arriva TrainCare|LNWR]] train maintenance business in England was acquired.<ref>[http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/arriva-acquires-lnwr.html "Arriva acquires LNWR"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160413040523/http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/arriva-acquires-lnwr.html |date=13 April 2016 }}. ''Railway Gazette'' (London). 18 November 2008.</ref>

In 2010, it was reported that the government-owned railway companies of France ([[SNCF]]) and Germany ([[Deutsche Bahn]]) were considering making takeover bids for the business.<ref>{{cite news |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100328125156/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/markets/marketreport/7515095/FTSE-flat-but-Arriva-perks-up-on-talk-French-backing-to-bid.html |archive-date = 28 March 2010 |url = http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/markets/marketreport/7515095/FTSE-flat-but-Arriva-perks-up-on-talk-French-backing-to-bid.html |title = FTSE flat but Arriva perks up on talk French backing to bid |newspaper = [[The Daily Telegraph]] |date = 24 March 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100327000106/http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/marketforceslive/2010/mar/24/arrivabusiness |archive-date = 27 March 2010 |url = http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/marketforceslive/2010/mar/24/arrivabusiness |title = Arriva moves ahead on bid battle hopes |newspaper = [[The Guardian]] |date = 24 March 2010}}</ref> SNCF subsidiary [[Keolis]] and Arriva entered discussions regarding a merger,<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.arriva.co.uk/media/news/2010/05-03-2010 |title = Statement re Keolis SA |publisher = Arriva |date = 5 March 2010 |access-date = 18 November 2016 |archive-date = 13 November 2016 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20161113175416/http://www.arriva.co.uk/media/news/2010/05-03-2010 |url-status = dead }}</ref> however, in April 2010, Deutsche Bahn made a takeover offer for Arriva valued at £7.75 per share (£1.585&nbsp;billion).<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://www.arriva.co.uk/arriva/en/media_centre/press_releases/2010/2010-04-19/ |publisher=Arriva |title=Response to Press Reports Regarding Deutsche Bahn AG |date=19 April 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100604030738/http://www.arriva.co.uk/arriva/en/media_centre/press_releases/2010/2010-04-19 |archive-date=4 June 2010 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100425051700/http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/809fc5e8-4dda-11df-b437-00144feab49a.html |archive-date = 25 April 2010 |url = http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/809fc5e8-4dda-11df-b437-00144feab49a.html |title = Deutsche Bahn buys Arriva for £1.5bn |newspaper = Financial Times |location = London |date = 22 April 2010}}</ref> During August 2010, Deutsche Bahn's takeover bid was approved by the [[European Commission]], albeit conditional on the disposal of some [[Netinera|Arriva services in Germany]].<ref name=EuroCommission11Aug10>[http://ec.europa.eu/competition/mergers/cases/decisions/M5855_20100811_20212_839431_EN.pdf DB/Arriva] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160413040910/http://ec.europa.eu/competition/mergers/cases/decisions/M5855_20100811_20212_839431_EN.pdf |date=13 April 2016 }} European Commission 11 August 2010</ref> The takeover took effect on 27 August 2010,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/10/ec-approves-dbs-takeover-of-arriva/browse/2.html |work=Railway Gazette International |title=EC approves DB's takeover of Arriva |date=11 August 2010 |location=London |access-date=19 August 2010 |archive-date=7 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131107181844/http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/10/ec-approves-dbs-takeover-of-arriva/browse/2.html |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite press release |url=http://www.arriva.co.uk/arriva/en/media_centre/press_releases/2010/2010-08-27/ |title=Scheme of Arrangement becomes effective |publisher=Arriva |date=27 August 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019210904/http://www.arriva.co.uk/arriva/en/media_centre/press_releases/2010/2010-08-27/ |archive-date=19 October 2012 }}</ref> and Arriva was delisted from the [[London Stock Exchange]] on 31 August 2010.<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://www.arriva.co.uk/arriva/en/media_centre/press_releases/2010/2010-08-31/ |title=Delisting of Arriva plc Shares |publisher=Arriva |date=31 August 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120520101034/http://www.arriva.co.uk/arriva/en/media_centre/press_releases/2010/2010-08-31/ |archive-date=20 May 2012 }}</ref>

In late 2011, Arriva acquired [[Grand Central (train operating company)|Grand Central]]<ref name=Arriva4Nov11>{{cite press release|url=http://www.arriva.co.uk/arriva/en/media_centre/press_releases/2011/2011-11-04/ |title=Arriva acquires open access operator Grand Central Railway |publisher=Arriva |date=4 November 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120520110740/http://www.arriva.co.uk/arriva/en/media_centre/press_releases/2011/2011-11-04/ |archive-date=20 May 2012 }}</ref><ref name=BBC4Nov11>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-15592125 "Arriva in Grand Central Railway takeover"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160413040912/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-15592125 |date=13 April 2016 }}. ''BBC News''. 4 November 2011.</ref> and sold its [[Arriva Scotland West]] bus operation.<ref name=Bus&Coach14Dec11>[http://www.busandcoach.com/newspage.aspx?id=6253&categoryid=0 "Arriva exits Scotland with Sale to McGill's"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130206074917/http://www.busandcoach.com/newspage.aspx?id=6253&categoryid=0 |date=6 February 2013 }} ''Bus & Coach Professional'' 14 December 2011</ref><ref name=BBC13Dec11>{{cite news |url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-business-16164967 |title=Bus firm McGill's to take over rivals Arriva |work=BBC News |date=13 December 2011}}</ref> In May 2013, Arriva purchased [[Veolia Transport]]'s Central European business with 3,400 vehicles.<ref name=DeutscheBahn16May13>{{cite web |url-status=dead |url=http://www.deutschebahn.com/en/group/im_blickpunkt/3929602/VTCE.html |title=DB acquires Central European business operations from Veolia |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160413040915/http://www.deutschebahn.com/en/group/im_blickpunkt/3929602/VTCE.html |archive-date=13 April 2016 |website=Deutsche Bahn |date=16 May 2013}}</ref><ref name=BusandCoach20May13>{{cite web |url-status=dead |url=http://www.busandcoach.com/newspage.aspx?id=7705&categoryid=1 |title=Arriva takes Veolia business |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131111070807/http://www.busandcoach.com/newspage.aspx?id=7705&categoryid=1 |archive-date=11 November 2013 |website=Bus & Coach |date=20 May 2013}}</ref><ref name=PassengerTransport22May13>{{cite web |url-status=dead |url=http://www.passengertransport.co.uk/2013/05/arriva-takes-the-lead-in-central-and-east-europe/ |title=Arriva takes the lead in central and east Europe |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160413040931/http://www.passengertransport.co.uk/2013/05/arriva-takes-the-lead-in-central-and-east-europe/ |archive-date=13 April 2016 |website=Passenger Transport |date=22 May 2013}}</ref> Arriva changed its logo in January 2018.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.arrivabus.co.uk/about-us/the-arriva-brand-is-changing/ |title=The Arriva brand is changing! |publisher=Arrive Bus UK |access-date=11 February 2018 |archive-date=11 February 2018 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180211131233/https://www.arrivabus.co.uk/about-us/the-arriva-brand-is-changing/}}</ref>

In March 2019, DB announced that it would be selling Arriva through either a sale or possible public flotation and invited companies interested in acquiring it to register expressions of interest by 3 May;<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/mar/27/deutsche-bahn-to-sell-uk-rail-bus-operator-arriva |title=Deutsche Bahn to sell UK rail and bus operator Arriva |first=Gwyn |last=Topham |date=27 March 2019 |access-date=1 April 2019 |work=The Guardian}}</ref> however, by mid-November, the sale had been reportedly placed on hold.<ref>{{cite news |first=Keith |last=Fender |title=Senior DB management shake-up as Arriva sale postponed |work=[[International Railway Journal]] |url=https://www.railjournal.com/financial/senior-db-management-shake-up-as-arriva-sale-postponed/ |date=19 November 2019 |access-date=24 November 2019}}</ref> In early 2023, reports again alleged that parent company Deutsche Bahn was considering options for spinning out Arriva to concentrate on its core German rail operations.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-01-17/deutsche-bahn-is-said-to-consider-reviving-sale-of-arriva-unit?leadSource=uverify%20wall |title = Deutsche Bahn Considers Reviving Sale of Arriva Unit |publisher = [[Bloomberg News|Bloomberg L.P.]] |first1 = Eyk |last1 = Henning |first2 = Jan-Henrik |last2 = Foerster |first3 = Aaron |last3 = Kirchfeld |date = 17 January 2023}}</ref> During the following months, various portions of Arriva's operations on continental Europe have been sold to other companies, these disposals have largely focused on bus operations.<ref name="Arriva offloads European units">{{cite web |url = https://www.keybuses.com/article/arriva-offloads-european-units |title = Arriva offloads European units |publisher = keybuses.com |date = 9 August 2023}}</ref><ref name="businessinsider.com">{{cite web |url = https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/eqs-news-mutares-has-successfully-completed-the-acquisition-of-arriva-poland-from-the-arriva-group-1032391511 |title = EQS-News: Mutares has successfully completed the acquisition of Arriva Poland from the Arriva Group |work = Business Insider |date = 15 June 2023}}</ref> In October 2023, Deutsche Bahn agreed terms to sell Arriva to [[I Squared Capital]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Makortoff |first1=Kalyeena |title=London bus operator Arriva bought by US private equity firm |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/oct/19/uk-bus-rail-operator-arriva-deutsche-bahn-i-squared |access-date=19 October 2023 |work=The Guardian |date=19 October 2023}}</ref><ref>[https://www.railjournal.com/financial/db-sells-arriva-to-i-squared-capital/ DB sells Arriva to One Square Capital] ''International Railway Journal'' 19 October 2023</ref> The sale was completed in June 2024.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20240604222821/https://www.railjournal.com/financial/db-completes-sale-of-arriva/ DB completes sale of Arriva] ''International Railway Journal'' 4 June 2024</ref>