Arriva expects to make a small move into Eastern Europe this year, probably in the Czech Republic or Poland, the bus and rail operator said yesterday. The group’s mainland European operation is one of the main planks of growth for the public transport group, which has increased its operations in Germany, Sweden and Portugal this year.
The European business showed significant growth, with profits up £3 million to £24.3 million, on revenues of £361.5 million. Arriva, which is London’s biggest bus operator, said that it made a pre-tax profit of £48 million in the six months to June 30 on revenue up 11 per cent at £861 million. Operating profit from continuing operations rose 5 per cent to £56.8 million. The interim dividend was raised 5 per cent to 5.32p.
In the UK, the bus division made an operating profit of £31 million, up from £30 million, despite having to pay £7 million more for fuel.