DB to take over Arriva

[whole diary]

[John R]

Speculation in this evening's Standard that Deutsche Bahn are interested in Arriva.

I'm sure that such a takeover could only be good news.

[RailCornwall]

Arriva shares up on takeover bid 
 
Shares in transport group Arriva have climbed by as much as 20% after it confirmed it had received its second takeover approach in as many months.

The bus and trains group refused to name the bidder, but there are rumours that it has come from Deutsche Bahn.

Sunderland-based Arriva confirmed early in March that merger talks with France's state railway SNCF^▸ (Societe Nationale des Chemins de fer Francais - French National Railways) had ended.
 

more^.

BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page) News

[inspector_blakey]

Thanks for the extra information RailCornwall - the possibilty was mentioned in this thread last night so I've merged the two together.

[RailCornwall]

Ok. Would have thought that it warranted a separate thread though.

[grahame]

Ok. Would have thought that it warranted a separate thread though.

Merges like this are a very fine balancing act for us moderators ... only this morning I woke to a p.m. suggesting that non-FGW^▸ (First Great Western)  content was taking over somewhat in some places.  Of course, a lot of that is because FGW have been doing very much better of late (that's official - they're the most improved operator) so there are less brickbats flying in their direction.

There aren't any hard and fast rules on merging ... but we will tend to merge non-core topics slightly more dramatically than core ones.   These things are discussed between the moderators, and everyone's thoughts are welcomed.

[Chris from Nailsea]

From the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page):

Arriva takeover bid confirmed by Deutsche Bahn

Deutsche Bahn, the German national rail company, has confirmed that it has tabled a bid for Arriva, the UK^▸ (United Kingdom) transport group.
On Wednesday Arriva's shares rose 17% after it said it received a takeover approach, but did not name the bidder.
But on Thursday Deutsche Bahn said it had made a cash offer for the group, but did not disclose its value.
Deutsche Bahn already operates the Chiltern Railways route between London and Birmingham in the UK.
Arriva's shares rose another 4.6% on Thursday following the news.
The Sunderland-based group is one of the largest transport groups in Europe, with operations in 12 countries.
In the UK it runs several train and bus networks, including the majority of passenger rail services in Wales.
Earlier this year, Arriva confirmed it was in talks with French state railway group SNCF^▸ (Societe Nationale des Chemins de fer Francais - French National Railways) about a possible merger, but they later ended without agreement.

[RailCornwall]

Deutsche Bahn 'nears Arriva deal' 
 
German national rail company Deutsche Bahn is close to sealing a ^1.6bn takeover of UK^▸ (United Kingdom) transport group Arriva, according to reports.

Deutsche Bahn confirmed last month that it had tabled a bid for Sunderland-based Arriva.

Now it has been reported that its board is meeting this week to approve the bid with an announcement expected in the next couple of weeks.


more^.

news.bbc.co.uk/1

 

[eightf48544]

Deutsche Bahn 'nears Arriva deal' 
 
German national rail company Deutsche Bahn is close to sealing a ^1.6bn takeover of UK^▸ (United Kingdom) transport group Arriva, according to reports.

I would have thought that the German Regulators would have something to say about DB^» (Deutsche Bahn - German State Railway - about) taking over as Arriva as Arriva has runs lots of rail sevices in Germany taking over form DB when teh Lander went out to tender,

Most notably the Vogtlandbahn in the SE of the old DDR, where they run most of the local trains including cross border sevices into the Czech Repulic and an IC^▸ (Inter City) service from Plauen to Berlin. unfortunately this is a DMU^▸ (Diesel Multiple Unit) which runs under the wires for about 90% of it's run.

They also run Stadler LINT units along the tram tracks in Zwickcau, dual gague line as the trams are metre gague. It's quite strange to see a full sized DMU trundling up the road.

[bobg]

I would have thought that the German Regulators would have something to say about DB^» (Deutsche Bahn - German State Railway - about) taking over as Arriva as Arriva has runs lots of rail sevices in Germany taking over form DB when teh Lander went out to tender

I'm not sure that it'll be too much of a problem, as the regional services are ordered for and paid by the different L^nder governments, so DB would just have to take over the existing Arriva contracts.

[Henry]

   http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8636503.stm

[anthony215]

Just thought that  everyone would like to know that DB^» (Deutsche Bahn - German State Railway - about) have signed  a deal to purchase Arriva.

Maybe if everything goes to plan the DB management will be able to sort out some of the problems  at arriva particulary the probelsm with the crosscountry franchise

Hopefully as well maybe DB would be willing to purchase some new trains for the cardiff valley lines network to allow the pacers and some of the class 150's to be sent to FGW^▸ (First Great Western) and northern etc to help them with overcrowding problems

[readytostart]

   http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8636503.stm

Better get my lederhosen down the dry cleaners!

Cannae wait to see the Welsh translation of Deutsche Bahn Trains Wales!

As for CrossCountry, you don't get much crosser than a country that tried to take over Europe twice!

[devon_metro]

Ze Germans have tried war, so it seems they are invading us by stealth this time... 

[devon_metro]

If anything needs new trains its Cardiff - Portsmouth, not the Cardiff Valleys where the journeys aren't long, nor do they make much profit.

[JayMac]

From the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page):

UK^▸ (United Kingdom) train and bus operator Arriva has agreed to be taken over by Germany's Deutsche Bahn in a deal worth ^1.59bn.

The deal is set to create one of Europe's biggest rail and bus transport groups.

Deutsche Bahn runs Germany's national rail services, as well as Chiltern Railways and rail freight services in the UK.

Arriva runs rail and bus services in 12 European countries, including Arriva Trains Wales in the UK.

Deutsche Bahn's chief executive Rudiger Grube said he expected the deal to help his company expand further in Europe, targeting Europe's "increasingly liberalised and fast-growing transport markets" which he said were "of strategic interest to Deutsche Bahn".

Consolidation plans

The German operator is keen to expand beyond its domestic market, where it faces increased competition.

Arriva's chairman Sir Richard Broadbent said the ^1.59bn price tag "fully reflects the value of the business".

Shareholders will now be asked to give their approval for the deal.

A takeover of the Sunderland-based company has been on the cards for months amid a trend towards consolidation of the European transport industry.

Arriva's agreement with Deutsche Bahn follows talks earlier this year with France's train operator SNCF^▸ (Societe Nationale des Chemins de fer Francais - French National Railways), which ultimately broke down.

Deutsche Bahn's Mr Grube said he expected the newly merged group to eventually be one of the few leading transport companies operating in Europe.