Arriva signs new bus depot lease securing Oswestry jobs
A major bus company has signed a new lease on its depot in Oswestry securing more than 50 jobs in the town.
Arriva Midlands has revealed that it has secured a new 20-year lease for its Salop Road depot, saying the deal reaffirmed its continued commitment to the people of Oswestry.
The company, which currently runs services across Oswestry, Wrexham, Ellesmere, Welshampton, and Shrewsbury, has signed paperwork to safeguard its future as the area’s largest bus operator.
With 55 members of staff already employed locally, Arriva has also revealed that it is now recruiting new drivers.
The bus depot had been up for sale.
Jamie Crowsley, general manager for Arriva Shropshire, said: “We are dedicated to growing and improving services running from our Oswestry depot, and this new lease clearly signals that we are steadfast in our promise to continue developing our local network.
“The employment opportunities this provides locally only reinforces our commitment to helping Oswestry thrive.
"We look forward to enjoying a long, successful future delivering quality transport in Oswestry for many years to come.”
Arriva Oswestry currently operates 23 vehicles across five routes, with a new school contract in the Cefn Blodwel, west of Oswestry, due to start in September.
In 2010, Arriva was acquired by Deutsche Bahn, and is now responsible for the growth and development of all Deutsche Bahn’s regional passenger transport outside of Germany.
The company recently handed out loyalty cards for passengers using its Oswestry to Wrexham service, via Chirk.
It followed the launch of an alternative service linking the three towns by the rival firm, easyCoach.
That was part of four new services from the company to serve the Wrexham area, linking with its easyCoach service to both Liverpool and Manchester airports.
