Arriva UK Bus shapes up to get even better connected

Arriva’s UK Bus division is putting its relationships with local authorities at the heart of a planned new-look local management structure.

Increased emphasis
The division is planning to re-focus local operational management to put an increased emphasis on developing existing and new relationships with key local and transport authority customers and other stakeholders.
 
Building relationships
The new management structure would feature dedicated management roles with responsibility for building local relationships with key stakeholders and customers in specific geographies, which correspond with local authority areas.

Consultation
While consulting with employees and unions over the proposed new management structure, Arriva has also opened consultation over proposals to centralise some finance functions.

Better partnerships
Mike Cooper, managing director Arriva UK Bus, said: “More than ever before our focus is on providing safe, good value and reliable services that meet the needs of local people. A critical part of this is strengthening relationships with Local Authorities and PTEs. Better partnerships with these customers will help ensure our services are relevant, timely and well used.

Commitment
“By shaping our business to match our key local and transport authority customers, we are demonstrating our commitment to these important relationships and our determination to get them right.

Centres of excellence
“Last year we improved our customer services operation by refocusing it into a smaller number of centres of excellence. As part of our continued focus on controlling costs across the business, while protecting frontline services as far as possible, we have been reviewing back-office support functions and believe the proposed new structure for our finance teams would deliver similar benefits.”

The proposals are being discussed with employees and details of any changes or confirmation of any new appointments will be made in due course.

In the picture
Mike Cooper, managing director of Arriva's UK Bus division.