Abellio (transport company) explained

Abellio
Founded:2001
Location City:Utrecht
Location Country:Netherlands
Area Served:Current

GermanyPast

Czech Republic

Netherlands

United Kingdom

Key People:Jeff Hoogesteger (CEO)
Industry:Public transport
Subsid:Abellio Deutschland
WestfalenBahn
Owner:Nederlandse Spoorwegen
Homepage:www.abellio.com

Abellio (in Dutch; Flemish pronounced as /aːˈbɛlioː/) is a Dutch public transport company that operates bus and rail services in Germany, and formerly also in Czech Republic, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. It is wholly owned by the Dutch national railway company, Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS).

Created in 2004 by EVAG, the city council-owned public transit company of Essen, the company initially operated as NedRailways. It promptly expanded into both railway and bus operations in the region. British investment company Star Capital Partners purchased a 75% share in Abellio from the City of Essen in December 2005.[1] In December 2008, both parties sold their stakes in the venture to the Dutch national railway company, Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS).[2] [3] It adopted the current Abellio branding in January 2010.[4]

Current operations

Germany

As of April 2020, Abellio Deutschland operates 50 railway lines in nine states amounting to 5,518 km with a fleet of 278 trains.[5] It wholly owns WestfalenBahn, having increased its share in July 2017 from the initial 25%.[6] [7] [8]

Abellio Deutschland formerly also operated bus services through three companies, VM, Werner and KVG. It announced its intention to focus on rail transport in April 2013, and in November 2013, sold VM and Werner with 220 buses to Transport Capital.[9] [10] The remaining KVG business was sold to Rhenus Veniro and the District of Bautzen in October 2014 with 84 buses.[11]

Former operations

Czech Republic

Abellio bought Probo Bus in 2009 and ran its network in the Czech Republic. It consisted of regional bus transport in the Beroun District and surroundings and some long-distance bus lines between Prague and South and West Bohemia.

During July 2011, Abellio CZ was founded. In spring 2012, Abellio CZ lodged an extensive complaint about wrong assignment of the tender to running of fast train line Ostrava – Krnov – Olomouc; the complaint was completely rejected.

In November 2013, Abellio sold Abellio CZ and Probo Bus to Arriva with 110 buses.[12] [13]

Netherlands

Qbuzz was founded in 2008 by two former Connexxion directors; Abellio initially held a 49% shareholding in the venture.[14] During April 2013, Abellio purchased the outstanding 51%, making Qbuzz a wholly-owned subsidiary.[15] [16]

In March 2015, Qbuzz was awarded a 15-year concession to operate services in the province of Limburg from December 2016. However, after the discovery of irregularities during the tender process, the contract was awarded to Arriva.[17] [18] [19]

In July 2016, NS announced its intention to sell Qbuzz.[20] In July 2017, it was sold to Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane subsidiary Busitalia.[21]

United Kingdom

Abellio began operations in the United Kingdom in 2003, initially through a 59% shareholding in Serco-Abellio and later operating various bus and rail operations in its own right.

In August 2022, Abellio agreed terms to sell its UK operations to the Transport UK Group, a management buyout led by managing director Dominic Booth, subject to approval by the Office of Rail and Road and partner organisations Merseytravel and Transport for London.[22] [23] [24] The deal was completed in February 2023.[25] [26]

Buses

Abellio purchased the Travel London and Travel Surrey businesses from National Express during May 2009. Five months later, they were rebranded as Abellio London and Abellio Surrey.[27] The latter closed in September 2018.[28]

Abellio London operated six garages; Armstrong Way, Battersea, Beddington Cross, Dawley Road, Fulwell and Walworth. By March 2022, the fleet consisted of 756 buses.[29]

Rail

Abellio had a 50% shareholding in Serco-Abellio that has bid for a number of rail franchises. Since July 2003, the joint venture has operated the Merseyrail franchise;[30] its 25-year contract expires in 2028, at which point it has been reported that the Liverpool City Region government intend to bring the network and its infrastructure under local public ownership.[31] Serco-Abellio also operated the Northern Rail franchise between December 2004 and March 2016.[32] Serco-Abellio also lodged unsuccessful bids for the Wales & Borders, West Midlands and Tyne & Wear Metro franchises.

Abellio also bid for a number of franchises in its own right, lodging bids for the South Western franchise (in partnership with FirstGroup), London Overground, South Central, InterCity West Coast, Essex Thameside, Thameslink, Southern & Great Northern and Northern franchises.[33] [34] [35]

In February 2012, Abellio Greater Anglia commenced operating the East Anglia franchise.[36] In 2016, Abellio successfully bid to retain the renamed East Anglia franchise until 2025.[37] In January 2017, Abellio sold a 40% stake in the business to Mitsui.[38] [39] During 2021, following the COVID-19 emergency measures, Greater Anglia was given a direct award contract, replacing its franchise agreement, expiring on 20 September 2026.[40]

In April 2015, Abellio ScotRail commenced operating the ScotRail franchise.[41] [42] [43] In December 2019, Transport Scotland enacted a break clause to end the 10 year franchise agreement three years early, in 2022 rather than 2025. Ministers cited value for money and the need for financial sustainability as factors in the decision.[44] [45]

In December 2017, West Midlands Trains, a joint venture with East Japan Railway Company and Mitsui in which Abellio owned 70%, commenced operating the West Midlands franchise.[46] [47] During September 2021, following emergency measures to deal with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the DfT awarded WMT a direct contract until 20 September 2026, replacing its existing franchise agreement.[48]

In October 2016, it was announced that Abellio, along with several other competing companies, had been shortlisted to bid for the Wales & Borders franchise.[49] This bid had been undertaken in partnership with Carillion. However, during February 2018, Abellio withdrew its bid for the franchise as the liquidation of Carillion left it without an infrastructure partner.[50] [51]

In August 2019, Abellio commenced operating the East Midlands Railway franchise.[52] The company has reorganised the franchise's services into three branded segments: EMR InterCity for long-distance services from London St Pancras, EMR Regional for services across the East Midlands, and EMR Electrics for the outer suburban London St Pancras to Corby service.[53]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 27 January 2006 . Star Capital Partners completes two new German investments . https://web.archive.org/web/20160911080442/http://www.star-capital.com/news_27January06.htm . 11 September 2016 . Star Capital Partners.
  2. Web site: 13 December 2008 . Contracts . Railway Gazette International.
  3. Web site: Abellio . https://web.archive.org/web/20160403210850/http://www.star-capital.com/abellio.html . 3 April 2016 . Star Capital Partners.
  4. 2010 brings company rebranding . . 171 . March 2010 . 7.
  5. Web site: Abellio Deutschland . 17 April 2020 . www.abellio.de.
  6. Web site: February 2017 . Welcome to Abellio . https://web.archive.org/web/20170810012919/https://www.abellio.de/sites/default/files/downloads/rz.abellio_imagebroschuere_englisch._lowres.pdf . 10 August 2017 . Abellio.
  7. Web site: The Company . WestfalenBahn . German.
  8. Web site: 18 July 2017 . Abellio takes full ownership of WestfalenBahn as market gets more competitive . Railway Gazette International.
  9. Web site: Completion of sale of Hessen bus . https://web.archive.org/web/20170810131014/https://www.abellio.com/news/completion-sale-hessen-bus . 10 August 2017 . Abellio.
  10. Web site: Luther advises Transport Capital AG on the acquisition of two bus companies from the Abellio Group . Luther . 11 November 2013.
  11. Web site: Abellio sells the Dreiländereck to Oberlausitz . Abellio . 29 October 2014 . German.
  12. Web site: Deutsche Bahn purchases Czech companies from Abellio . https://web.archive.org/web/20160402180655/http://www.deutschebahn.com/en/group/im_blickpunkt/5187636/20131129_czech_bus.html . 2 April 2016 . . 29 November 2013.
  13. Web site: Arriva acquires Abellio's Czech operations . Bus & Coach Buyer . 4 December 2013.
  14. Web site: Connexxion, Arriva and Qbuzz . . 2 September 2011 . Dutch.
  15. Web site: NS obtains remaining share in Qbuzz . https://web.archive.org/web/20140825033357/http://www.ns.nl/over-ns/nieuwscentrum/persberichten/2014/02/ns-kijkt-terug-op-turbulent-2013-en-scherpt-koers-aan.html . 25 August 2014 . Nederlandse Spoorwegen . February 2014.
  16. Web site: Qbuzz . https://web.archive.org/web/20170810170235/https://www.abellio.com/our-businesses/qbuzz . 10 August 2017 . Abellio.
  17. Web site: NS uncovers tendering irregularities . Railway Gazette International . 29 April 2015.
  18. Web site: Arriva wins re-awarded Limburg operating contract . Railway Gazette International . 3 June 2015.
  19. News: Arriva delighted as it profits from scandal at rival Abellio . . 9 June 2015.
  20. Web site: NS puts Qbuzz up for sale . Railway Gazette International . 11 July 2016.
  21. Web site: FS Italiane acquires full ownership of Qbuzz . https://web.archive.org/web/20201212080349/https://www.fsitaliane.it/content/fsitaliane/en/media/press-releases/2017/8/31/fs-italiane-acquires-full-ownership-of-qbuzz.html . 12 December 2020 . Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane . 31 August 2017.
  22. Web site: Abellio UK set to become Transport UK Group via MBO . https://web.archive.org/web/20220824192642/https://www.route-one.net/business-deals/abellio-uk-set-to-become-transport-uk-group-via-mbo/ . 24 August 2022 . Route One . 23 August 2022.
  23. Web site: Abellio to be bought out . Bus & Coach Buyer . 23 August 2022.
  24. Web site: Management buyout returns Abellio operations to UK ownership . https://web.archive.org/web/20221002155812/https://www.modernrailways.com/article/management-buyout-returns-abellio-operations-uk-ownership . 2 October 2022 . . 23 August 2022.
  25. Web site: Abellio UK to be renamed Transport UK Group as management buyout deal completes . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230301074525/https://www.abellio.com/news/abellio-uk-to-be-renamed-transport-uk-group . 1 March 2023 . 2 March 2023 . Abellio.com .
  26. Web site: Deakin . Tim . 28 February 2023 . Transport UK Group MBO of Abellio UK completes . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230301162927/https://www.route-one.net/news/transport-uk-group-mbo-of-abellio-uk-completes/ . 1 March 2023 . 2 March 2023 . routeone.net .
  27. Web site: National Express Group plc agreement to sell Travel London . https://web.archive.org/web/20201212080829/https://www.nationalexpressgroup.com/newsmedia/corporate-news/2009/national-express-group-plc-agreement-to-sell-travel-london/ . 12 December 2020 . . 21 May 2009.
  28. Falcon Coaches to take over Abellio's remaining Surrey route . . 1,357 . 28 August 2018 . 11.
  29. Web site: Bus Fleet Audit 31 March 2002 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221023113542/https://content.tfl.gov.uk/fleet-annual-audit-report-31-march-2022.pdf . 23 October 2022 . Transport for London.
  30. Web site: Merseyrail franchise goes Dutch . https://web.archive.org/web/20141008092034/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/2849849/Merseyrail-franchise-goes-Dutch.html . 8 October 2014 . . 24 April 2003.
  31. News: 9 August 2021 . Metro Mayor moves to take full control of Merseyrail network . 23 January 2023 . Liverpool Business News.
  32. Web site: Serco-NedRailways Announced as Preferred Bidder for new Northern Rail franchise . http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20090826025205/http://www.dft.gov.uk/press/releases/sra/2004/2004b/onedrailwaysannouncedasp1487.pdf/ . 26 August 2009 . . 1 July 2004.
  33. Web site: Short Listed Bidders for Greater Anglia and InterCity West Coast Rail Franchises . https://web.archive.org/web/20120328012549/http://assets.dft.gov.uk/publications/intercity-west-coast-franchise/franchisebidders.pdf/ . 28 March 2012 . . 24 March 2011.
  34. Web site: Bidders to oversee improvements on rail franchises announced . https://web.archive.org/web/20120402090459/http://www.dft.gov.uk/news/press-releases/dft-press-20120329// . 2 April 2012 . Department for Transport . 29 March 2012.
  35. Web site: Shortlist for Northern and TransPennine operators revealed . https://web.archive.org/web/20150401145314/https://www.gov.uk/government/news/shortlist-for-northern-and-transpennine-express-rail-operators-revealed . 1 April 2015 . Department for Transport . 19 August 2014.
  36. Web site: Greater Anglia rail franchise announcement . Department for Transport . 20 October 2011.
  37. Web site: Better journeys for rail passengers and boost for Derby train industry as new East Anglia franchise announced . https://web.archive.org/web/20170208010623/https://www.gov.uk/government/news/better-journeys-for-rail-passengers-and-boost-for-derby-train-industry-as-new-east-anglia-franchise-announced . 8 February 2017 . Department for Transport . 10 August 2016.
  38. Web site: Abellio to sell 40% stake in Greater Anglia to Mitsui . https://web.archive.org/web/20170118140801/http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/business/single-view/view/abellio-to-sell-40-stake-in-greater-anglia-to-mitsui.html . 18 January 2017 . . 17 January 2017.
  39. Web site: Greater Anglia to utilise Japanese know-how to improve train punctuality . Global Railway Review . 10 September 2019.
  40. Web site: National Rail Contract East Anglia . 10 September 2021 . 5 March 2023 . Department for Transport.
  41. Web site: Dutch firms wins ScotRail franchise from FirstGroup . https://web.archive.org/web/20141008113726/http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-29531099 . 8 October 2014 . . 8 October 2014.
  42. Web site: Abellio awarded ScotRail franchise . https://web.archive.org/web/20141010211046/http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/abellio-awarded-scotrail-franchise.html . 10 October 2014 . Railway Gazette International . 8 October 2014.
  43. Web site: Abellio awarded contract to operate Scotland's National Railway, ScotRail . https://web.archive.org/web/20160415221031/http://www.abellio.com/news/abellio-awarded-contract-operate-scotlands-national-railway-scotrail . 15 April 2016 . Abellio.
  44. Web site: Future of Scotrail in doubt after Abellio stripped of rail contract without replacement plan . https://web.archive.org/web/20200228010831/https://www.scotsman.com/news/transport/future-scotrail-doubt-abellio-stripped-rail-contract-without-replacement-plan-1344567 . 28 February 2020 . . 19 December 2019.
  45. News: 17 March 2021 . Scotland's train operator ScotRail to be nationalised . BBC News . 17 March 2021 . 17 March 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210317151606/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-56432919 . live.
  46. Web site: More seats for rail passengers as nearly £1 billion is invested in Midlands services . https://web.archive.org/web/20181029073650/https://www.gov.uk/government/news/more-seats-for-rail-passengers-as-nearly-1-billion-is-invested-in-midlands-services . 29 October 2018 . Department for Transport . 10 August 2017.
  47. Web site: West Midlands Trains announced as winning bidder for West Midlands franchise . https://web.archive.org/web/20211110034537/https://www.abellio.com/sites/default/files/downloads/170810_press_release_west_midlands_trains_announced_as_winning_bidder.pdf . 10 November 2021 . Abellio . 10 August 2017.
  48. Web site: National Rail Contract West Midlands . Department for Transport . 10 September 2021 . 17 March 2023.
  49. News: Wales & Borders bidders asked to propose Metro options . . 13 October 2016 . 20 October 2016 . 19 October 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161019191709/http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/policy/single-view/view/wales-borders-bidders-asked-to-submit-metro-options.html . dead .
  50. Web site: Abellio ends rail bid after Carillion collapse . https://web.archive.org/web/20180225022034/http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-politics-43169116 . 25 February 2018 . BBC News . 23 February 2018.
  51. News: Gerrard . Bradley . Abellio pulls out of rail bid after Carillion collapse . subscription . 23 May 2023 . The Telegraph . 23 February 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180224203009/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2018/02/23/abellio-pulls-rail-bid-carillion-collapse/ . 24 February 2018 . live . dmy-all.
  52. Web site: More seats and services and state of the art trains for passengers on new East Midlands railway . https://web.archive.org/web/20190410070003/https://www.gov.uk/government/news/more-seats-services-and-state-of-the-art-trains-for-passengers-on-new-east-midlands-railway . 10 April 2019 . Department for Transport . 10 April 2019.
  53. Web site: How Midland Mainline trains will soon look . Pegden . Tom . . . 21 June 2019.

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