Transport for London (TfL) has announced that it intends to award the new £1.5 billion London Overground contract to Arriva.

The winning bid by Arriva builds on its extensive experience of transforming the capital’s fastest growing transport network, which over the past nine years it has operated as part of a joint venture with MTR Corporation.

Over the seven-and-a-half-year contract, which begins on 13 November, Arriva will work closely with TfL to deliver a variety of ambitious service, rolling stock and station improvements for customers. Some 180m journeys are taken on the network – a number which is set to grow further as Overground integrates lines north of London.

Chris Burchell, managing director of Arriva’s UK trains division, said: “It is exciting to be given the opportunity to build on the major improvements we have made in recent years and we are delighted to be playing a key role in the next phase of London’s growth and development.

“London Overground is one of the capital’s big transport success stories with passenger numbers rising rapidly, the transformation of stations, and the introduction of extended trains to help with peak overcrowding.

“They are just some examples of the step-change in quality and how the network contributes to London’s economy. From November, our role is to ensure this success story continues and customer satisfaction levels remain high – helped by 1,300 employees who understand the network inside out.

“We will be working closely with Transport for London to introduce further improvements which will bring world-class performance and customer service levels across the network and to new routes.”

The award of the London Overground concession is the latest positive rail news for Arriva, which operates bus and rail services across 14 European countries. Last December it was awarded the Northern franchise by the Department for Transport, a contract it is set to begin operating on 1 April.