The Arriva Trains Wales (www.arrivatrainswales.co.uk) franchise commenced in 2003 and delivers interurban, rural and commuter passenger rail services across Wales and the border counties of England.

Our network stretches across Wales and the border counties, including the key hubs of Manchester, Birmingham and Cardiff. We run a fleet of 129 trains, covering a route of over 1,009 miles, providing around 950 services a day, all of which is supported by over 2200 employees. Altogether, at Arriva Trains Wales, we travel some 13.7 million miles each year. That's the same as travelling 550 times around the world.

We're focused on delivering improvements for our customers and, by working with industry partners, we're investing in everything from new trains to improving stations, from new toilet facilities to CCTV and added security via ticket controlled barriers. We are constantly looking for ways to improve our network, capitalise on new opportunities and grow our operations through acquisition, enabling us to offer our customers an exceptional standard of service.

CrossCountry

Covering around 1,600 route miles with almost 300 trains a day, serving over 100 stations stretching from Aberdeen to Penzance and from Stansted to Cardiff, CrossCountry (www.crosscountrytrains.co.uk) is the most extensive intercity rail service in the UK. The franchise started operating on 11 November 2007 and lasts until 31 March 2016.

CrossCountry has committed to delivering many improvements to enhance its customers' experience of rail travel. Focusing beyond the journey itself and including how a customer plans their travel and purchases a ticket, CrossCountry will use technology to deliver an exciting new concept in rail travel. Through its website, customers will be able to purchase the cheapest ticket for their journey and reserve a seat, and be able to print their ticket at home or have it sent to their mobile phone. Its new Revenue Management System will monitor passenger numbers and be able to vary prices to manage demand on individual services. CrossCountry's approach to ticket retailing will mean customers can always obtain the best deal right up to the time their train departs.

CrossCountry's fleet of trains will be refurbished during 2009, with every train offering modern standards of quality and ambience, including an at-seat service of food and drinks throughout the train. Extra seating and luggage space is being provided on all trains and, with five additional 550-seat High Speed Trains being introduced on the longest routes, CrossCountry is delivering the capacity to cope with current and future demand for rail travel along the routes it serves.