Arriva welcomed the naming of its G.W. Trains Ltd as one of the shortlisted companies announced today by the Department for Transport to have pre-qualified to bid for the Great Western rail franchise.

Arriva UK Trains managing director Bob Holland said: “Arriva’s pre-qualification to bid for the Great Western franchise is great news. The longer 15-year franchise period gives an opportunity to innovate and invest to provide quality services for passengers, deliver value for the Government, and draw on the experience across our UK railway operations. We’re looking forward to working with the Department for Transport through the next stages of the bidding process.”

The Invitation to Tender for the Great Western franchise is expected to be issued to shortlisted bidders in May 2012, with an announcement of the winning bid anticipated in December 2012. The new successful bidder would take on running of the Great Western franchise from April 2013.

Arriva’s UK Trains division currently operates the Chiltern Railway, CrossCountry and Arriva Trains Wales franchises and owns the Grand Central open access rail operation. It also operates the Tyne and Wear Metro concession and the London Overground concession through its LOROL joint venture with MTR.