Leading transport group Arriva has won the contract to operate corporate coach services for one the world’s greatest golfing tournaments.

Arriva’s bid has secured the prestigious contract to supply more than 120 coaches a day for the 2010 Ryder Cup at The Celtic Manor, Newport, South Wales.

GTS Events, the company appointed by Ryder Cup Europe LLP to implement the Ryder Cup transport policy, has selected Arriva to co-ordinate and deliver transport for VIPs, the media, and spectators on Ryder Cup Travel Services and Premier Golf Tour packages during the six-day tournament from 28 September to 3 October 2010.

The combined skills of the group’s Tellings Golden Miller (TGM) coach business and Arriva UK Trains Road Transport Section will provide the winning formula needed to meet the complex logistical demands of the contract.

TGM will lead the delivery of on-the-ground coach services which are expected to carry more than 70,000 golf fans and VIPs from their hotels across the region to the tournament. Arriva UK Trains Road Transport Section, created to provide rail replacement and train crew transport for Arriva’s rail franchises, will use its contacts, local route knowledge and management expertise to commission the additional high quality, third party coach operators to complement TGM’s coaches and fulfil the contract.

Stephen Telling, TGM managing director, said: “This contract win is an excellent example of how Arriva businesses can work together to pool the breadth of experience we have to deliver professional, co-ordinated, transport solutions for our customers.

“By bringing TGM’s experience in premium coach services and sports team transportation together with the excellent contacts and management skills of our Road Transport Section, we have created our own winning team to offer a complete package for this prestigious sporting event.”

Martijn Gilbert, road transport manager at Arriva UK Trains Road Transport Section, said: “Since our creation one year ago we have established links with more than 450 UK coach, bus and taxi operators. They’ve all have passed our stringent assessment and audit process to ensure high standards of service and this contract will allow us to use these partnerships to full effect.

“Securing a contract for a major event like the Ryder Cup is a fantastic achievement and our approach will benefit our client, coach operators and the Welsh economy. It builds on our recent success in providing road transport services for the 2009 Cosford Airshow and the new Ffos Las Racecourse in Carmarthenshire and shows our ability to grow our business by looking for new opportunities that compliment our core activities.”