RNS Number:2288O
Arriva PLC
01 August 2003


1 August 2003


                                   ARRIVA PLC

                             RAIL FRANCHISE UPDATE



Arriva plc has welcomed today's announcement by the Strategic Rail Authority
(SRA) that the company has been selected as the preferred bidder for the new
Wales and Borders franchise.


Commenting, Bob Davies, chief executive, said: "We are very pleased with the
announcement and look forward to working with the National Assembly for Wales,
the SRA and other stakeholders to deliver high quality rail services for Wales
and the border counties."



For further enquiries:

Arriva plc                                                    0191 520 4000
Bob Davies, Chief Executive
Steve Lonsdale, Group Finance Director
Julian Evans, Director of Corporate Communications

Gavin Anderson & Company                                      020 7554 1400
Deborah Walter / Jo Godfrey








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