RNS Number:3892K
Arriva PLC
25 April 2003

Arriva plc

                                                                   25 April 2003

AGM STATEMENT



Speaking at today's Annual General Meeting of Arriva plc, Gareth Cooper,
Chairman, said:



"In March, when we announced our preliminary results for the year ended 31
December 2002, we were able to report further significant progress with strong
financial performance underpinning record earnings per share.



"Since the publication of the preliminary results, we have continued to make
encouraging progress. The Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) has announced that
Arriva Trains has qualified to bid for three franchises: ScotRail, Northern and
Greater Anglia. We submitted our bid to the SRA for the new Wales and Borders
franchise earlier this month. Meanwhile Arriva Trains Merseyside is maintaining
its position as the best mainland operator and Arriva Trains Northern is
continuing to deliver substantial improvements.



"Progress on the disposal of the Group's Motor Retailing operations has
continued in line with our expectations. Today we will complete the disposal of
our nine Vauxhall dealerships and this will bring the total proceeds to nearly
#60 million from the 25 dealerships sold to date. We remain on track to deliver
around book value by the middle of the year. As we have previously reported, the
conclusion of this programme will complete the strategic repositioning of the
Group.



"In London, where Arriva is the largest bus operator, we continue to benefit
from initiatives taken by Transport for London (TfL) to increase the number and
quality of bus services. Contracts already in place will see our turnover in
London increase to over #185 million in 2003, up by 20 per cent over 2002.  In
our UK bus operations outside London, our focus remains clearly on growing
passenger numbers with our extensive marketing campaign specifically targeting
potential customers living within ten minutes of our key routes.



"Our International division is completing the integration of acquisitions made
last year and is focused on delivering organic growth and improving margins in
the six mainland European countries in which Arriva operates.



"Arriva Vehicle Rental continues to benefit from strong demand in both the
corporate and public sectors. This business has delivered strong profit and
sales growth over the last four years and is well positioned to maintain this
trend.



"The Group has made a positive start to the year and trading is in line with
expectations.   With its good mix of cash generative and growth businesses
underpinned by a strong balance sheet Arriva is well-positioned to continue
delivering value through its strategy of targeting acquisitions in our chosen
markets and undertaking share buy-backs whilst offering an attractive dividend
yield."


Arriva plc
Bob Davies, Chief Executive                                         0191 520 4000
Steve Lonsdale, Group Finance Director
Julian Evans, Director of Corporate Communications                  0191 520 4090

Gavin Anderson & Company
Deborah Walter                                                      020 7554 1400




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AGMSEUFFISDSELL