Arriva Midlands to expand operations in the West Midlands

Arriva Midlands today announced it had reached agreement to acquire the West Midlands operations and assets of ‘Midland’ the trading name of Liyell Ltd, a leading provider of transport solutions in the West Midlands.

Midland’s core services include a mix of commercial and supported local bus services. On completion of the transaction, expected to be in late September 2012, approximately 110 Midland employees would transfer to Arriva Midlands under the Transfer of Undertakings Protection of Employment (TUPE) regulations.

The financial considerations are not being disclosed.

Arriva Midlands plans to incorporate the fleet of 61 Midland buses into its fleet and plans to operate them under the Arriva brand.

John Barlow, Arriva Midlands finance director, said, “Taking on the routes and services operated by Midland opens up a range of exciting opportunities for Arriva, from which we will be able to develop the business. We are very much looking forward to working with new and existing contractors to grow the business. Midland has an excellent standing and reputation and we look forward to taking that business forward as part of Arriva and welcoming Midland employees on board.”

David Reeves, managing director of Liyell, said: “Since buying Liyell in April 2005 we have steadily grown the Midland business to the size it is today. I am proud of what we have achieved and of the staff we employ. I’m sure they will have a fulfilling future as part of Arriva. I would like to take this opportunity of wishing all of the staff the very best for the future and to offer them my sincere thanks for the hard work they have done for me and the company in the past. Thank you.”