German transport company Deutsche Bahn is to acquire British-based rail and bus operator Arriva.
Deutschebahn said the move would gain the company a "competitive edge" in a liberalised European market.
Arriva manages bus and rail operations in 12 European countries, including the UK, Germany, Spain and Poland.
Rüdiger Grube, Deutsche Bahn's CEO, said: "Arriva offers us excellent opportunities. Without this acquisition, we would need many years to gain a competitive edge like this."
Arriva's annual revenue last year was £3.15 billion .
Grube said: "Deutsche Bahn's market share of regional transport in Germany will decline in the coming years as a result of government strategy. At the same time, the regional transport markets in Europe will be further liberalised.
"We can use this opportunity to take part in this market development within Europe or [we] will see a downsizing of our operations."
Deutsche Bahn aims to "drive the market rather than be driven by it", said Grube.
Deutschebahn has offered 775 pence per share to shareholders of Arriva, and has said the company's headquarters will remain in Sunderland.
www.arrivabus.co.uk www.deutschebahn.com