Date: 21 Jan 2008 12:00
The German rail operator Deutsche Bahn AG (DB) is pleased to announce the acquisition of Laing Rail, owners of Chiltern Railways and joint owners of London Overground Rail Operations Ltd and Wrexham, Shropshire and Marylebone Railway Ltd. This transaction remains subject to approval from the Department for Transport, Transport for London and the Office of Rail Regulation.
Chiltern Railways will become part of DB Regio AG, the division of Deutsche Bahn responsible for operating regional and local services.
This announcement ends months of speculation and marks Deutsche Bahn’s entry into the competitive UK passenger rail market.
As the current holders of the National Rail Awards “Passenger Operator of the Year” award, Chiltern Railways is regarded as one of the most successful and customer orientated train operators in the UK. DB has confirmed that the trusted Chiltern Railways identity and name will remain unchanged and that Adrian Shooter and his management team will remain in control of the company.
Widely respected for its reliability and safety, Deutsche Bahn AG is one of Europe’s largest passenger operator carrying some 5.1 million passengers daily (2007). DB has a well deserved reputation for providing high quality, integrated transport services.
London Overground Rail Operations Ltd is a 50/50 joint venture between Laing Rail and The MTR Corporation of Hong Kong. Launched in November 2007 it runs services on lines previously serviced by Silverlink Metro and from 2010 it will run the refurbished and extended East London Line which will be renamed the East London Railway.
With services due to start in spring 2008, Wrexham, Shropshire and Marylebone Railway Ltd is the UK’s newest long distance rail operator. It will run regular services from Wrexham and Shropshire to London Marylebone providing North Wales and Shropshire with a much needed direct link to the Capital.
Dr Karl-Friedrich Rausch, Member of the DB Management Board and Chairman of the Passenger Transport Division said:
“We will now be operating large-scale passenger transport outside of Germany. It will allow us to substantially strengthen our position in the European market along with providing the basis for further growth.”
His comments were echoed by Ulrich Homburg, Chairman of the Management Board of DB Regio, operators of local and regional services in Germany, who said:
“This acquisition gives us great scope for further growth in the UK rail market. We intend to enter into a long-term commitment in the United Kingdom and make continuous investments in the quality of our services.”
Adrian Shooter, Chairman of Chiltern Railways said:
“I am looking forward to working with DB to share knowledge and best practice so that both companies can continue to offer better services to our passengers.”
From left to right: Dr Karl-Friedrich Rausch, Member of the DB Management Board and Chairman of the Passenger Transport Division; Geoff, CSI inspector and Adrian Shooter, Chairman.
