TRANSPORT group Arriva said the worsening economic picture made it “impossible” to predict passenger revenues with any certainty.
The company, which runs buses in Huddersfield, faces pressure from a £60m hike in fuel costs and slowing rail revenue growth.
Profits rose by 30% to £150m last year – boosted by the first full year of income from CrossCountry rail franchise. But the company’s shares slipped 2% yesterday as it warned of another “demanding” year ahead.
The UK bus business increased operating profits by 13% to £99.3m.
In mainland Europe, where profits and revenues have more than doubled since 2004, Arriva said it expected acquisitions and new orders would “go some way” to offsetting the recession.
