Arriva takes over London Overground concession

Transport operator Arriva has taken over sole running of the £1.5 billion London Overground concession.

In March 2016, Transport for London (TfL) awarded the £1.5 billion London Overground concession to Arriva Rail London Limited. The network was previously operated by LOROL – a joint venture between MTR and Arriva.

The Arriva awarded contract will run for a period of seven and a half years with an option to extend for up to two additional years.

180 million journeys recorded on London Overground services each year

TfL will work with Arriva to implement changes to improve services for customers. These will include modernised stations and more frequent services, the first of which will be on the North London line. New trains will also be introduced in 2018 on London Overground routes out of Liverpool Street station and on the Gospel Oak to Barking line.

At present, 180 million journeys are taken on London Overground services each year. This is set to grow further as the network integrates lines north of London.

Chris Burchell, managing director of Arriva UK’s trains division, said: “London Overground has been a huge success story since its launch in 2007 and we are excited to be given the opportunity to operate the network through its next crucial phase.

“The network is vital to maintaining a functioning, well-connected city, which is why expansion of routes into places like Barking Riverside and the electrification of the line between Gospel Oak and Barking presents a next step in the network’s continued integration.

“We look forward to working closely with Transport for London to deliver world-class performance and customer service levels in years to come.”