Date: 30/10/2017

The firm that runs most of Wales' rail network has pulled out of the contest to continue running it from 2018. Arriva has said Arriva Trains Wales was 'no longer participating in the Wales and Borders competition', adding it had 'not been an easy decision'. Transport for Wales said it was 'not uncommon' for bidders for major projects to withdraw. The Tories said Arriva's withdrawal 'raises questions' about government engagement with the process. An Arriva-owned company has run the franchise since 2003. There are three remaining bidders - Abellio, KeolisAmey and MTR. Responsibility for the process of finding a company to run the services is set to be devolved from 2018.

External links

Arriva pulls out of Welsh rail bid

BBC News

The firm drops out of the race to continue running the Wales and Borders franchise it won in 2003.

Related images

The recommissioned platform 5 at Cardiff Queen Street is now fully operational [see image 45171]. Trains are segregated, with Taff Vale trains (Merthyr, Aberdare, Treherbert) using 5 and trains for Rhymney and Coryton using 4. View north on 6 March with ATW 150213 recently arrived at platform 5 with the 1442 Bridgend - Aberdare service.
Location: Cardiff Queen Street
Company: Taff Vale Railway
06/03/2015 John Thorn

A Central Wales Line service for Shrewsbury, formed by ATW 153367, calls at Llanelli in March 2012. Although this is normally the westbound platform, all Central Wales services use it to reverse before leaving for Swansea or Shrewsbury via a crossover just beyond the station.
Location: Llanelli
Company: South Wales Railway
24/03/2012 Mark Bartlett

57313 stands at platform 4 at Shrewsbury station on 9 November 2010 awaiting its 18.06 departure time. The train is the Arriva Trains Wales operated, Welsh Assembly funded, limited stop return service from Cardiff to Holyhead via Crewe.
Location: Shrewsbury
Company: Shrewsbury and Birmingham Railway
09/11/2010 David Pesterfield