Arriva and Keolis in merger talks

摘要

British-based international train and bus operator Arriva has confirmed it is in merger talks with French operator Keolis (an SNCF subsidiary). Keolis operates trams and buses in seven European countries, and has a small presence in the UK.rnArriva is the third-largest UK bus group and has expanded into Europe in recent years, running both buses and trains. A merger would create a new group with a GBP6bn turnover and the talks are believed to be driven by concern that the proposed Veolia/Transdev merger, and the ambitions of German rival Deutsche Bahn, could leave SNCF at a disadvantage in its international aspirations if Keolis does not team up with a larger partner.