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News Category: Bus

The Go-Ahead Group reaches a milestone with over 1100 zero emission buses – a leader in the UK

22 March 2024

Go-Ahead recognised as leading apprenticeship provider

  • The Go-Ahead Group adds 201 zero emission buses to its regional fleets
  • Six of Go-Ahead’s regional bus companies celebrate a share of £112 million joint investment
  • Go-Ahead’s zero emission bus total exceeds 1100 – the largest in the UK
  • The investment will help Go-Ahead reach its decarbonisation targets by 2035

The Go-Ahead Group, a leading provider of public transport services, proudly announces a significant achievement in sustainable public transport with the introduction of an additional 201 zero-emission buses to its fleet at regional bus companies, including Plymouth CityBus, Go Cornwall Bus, Go North East, Pulhams Coaches, Salisbury Reds, Southern Vectis, East Yorkshire Buses, and Brighton & Hove and Metrobus.

This substantial addition, delivery expected by March 2026, will bring Go-Ahead’s total zero-emission bus count to over 1100, solidifying its commitment to environmental responsibility and contributing to cleaner air in communities across the UK.

The £112 million pooled investments in this initiative signifies a joint commitment from the Department for Transport, Go-Ahead’s bus companies and our local authority partners:

  • 50 ZEBs (Zero Emission Buses) with £28.5 million allocated to Go South West’s, Plymouth CityBus, and Go Cornwall Bus operators.
  • Go South Coast operators, Southern Vectis and Salisbury Reds will add 45 zero emission buses to its fleets, comprising an £24.1 million investment.
  • £35 million for Brighton & Hove Buses and Metrobus, with 59 ZEBs – 43 for its Metrobus fleet in Crawley and 16 for its Brighton & Hove Buses division.
  • At Go North East, Riverside depot gets a further £5.7 million invested for 11 ZEBs.
  • Pulhams Coaches celebrates 15 ZEBs at its Bourton-on-the-Water depot, with an £8 million investment serving its rural communities.
  • And finally, in Hull, East Yorkshire Buses will introduce 21 ZEBs with a total of £10.9 million investment.

The total investment, comprising both buses and infrastructure amounts to £112 million, with the ZEBRA contribution standing at £44 million and local authorities contributing £6 million. Consequently, Go-Ahead’s investment comes to £62 million. This collaborative effort underscores the pivotal role of public-private partnerships in advancing forward sustainable transport solutions.

This significant investment is serving rural communities such as on Pulhams Coaches’ Bourton-on-the-Water routes and Southern Vectis’ Isle of Wight routes, demonstrating a commitment to finding deliverable ZEB solutions outside the big urban areas. Furthermore, customers travelling via Salisbury Reds routes to Stonehenge are to benefit from a fully zero emission bus fleet.

Each ZEB deployed by The Go-Ahead Group saves on average 60 tonnes of carbon emissions per year contributing significantly to the fight against climate change and to cleaner air and a healthier environment for communities across the UK.

“We are proud to lead the way in electrifying urban transit and accelerating the transition to cleaner, greener transport and we extend our gratitude to all our partners for trusting in us to deliver,” said Miguel Parras, CEO (Chief Executive Officer) of The Go-Ahead Group. “Our ongoing partnership with local authority partners and our investment in cutting-edge EV (Electric Vehicle) technology are driving meaningful reductions in carbon emissions and delivering tangible benefits to communities across the UK.”

Matt Carney, CEO – Go-Ahead Bus said: “Today’s news cements our position as leaders in delivering zero emission public transport. Our collaboration with local authority partners, supported by the Government’s ZEBRA scheme, reflects our shared vision for a cleaner, more sustainable future. This expansion of our electric bus fleet not only demonstrates our commitment to reducing emissions but also marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of public transport in our areas of operation. We are dedicated to contributing to a greener, more sustainable future. I’m confident we’ll achieve our goal of being fully zero-emission by 2035.”

Transport Secretary Mark Harper said: “As part of our plan to improve local transport across the country, we’re providing a further £143 million to improve journeys for bus passengers particularly in rural areas, with almost a thousand brand new, zero-emission buses due to hit the road.

“This latest investment into our bus fleet comes on top of the £3.5 billion we have invested into our bus network since 2020, protecting and improving bus routes into 2025 as well as extending the £2 bus fare cap until the end of 2024, made possible by reallocated HS2 funding.”

The Go-Ahead Group remains committed to investing in innovative technologies and operational practices that support its environmental objectives while continuing to deliver reliable and accessible public transport services for passengers across the UK. Go-Ahead plans to achieve a fully decarbonised bus fleet by 2035.

Go-Ahead bus companies, East Yorkshire Buses and Morebus lead the way on passenger satisfaction, Transport Focus survey reveals

13 March 2024

Go-Ahead bus companies, East Yorkshire Buses and Morebus lead the way on passenger satisfaction, Transport Focus survey reveals

In the latest survey conducted by independent watchdog Transport Focus, two of Go-Ahead’s bus companies, East Yorkshire Buses and Morebus, have emerged as leaders in passenger satisfaction, scoring highly across metrics such as punctuality, journey time, onboard comfort, and driver friendliness.

The survey places Go-Ahead Group amongst the top performers in England. As one of the largest public transport operators in the UK, we are committed to providing high quality, reliable bus services which connect and enhance local communities. We are proud to see this commitment reflected in the customer satisfaction surveys.

The results of the ‘Your Bus Journey’ survey for 2023 highlighted Go-Ahead’s East Yorkshire Buses and Morebus operations achieving an impressive 90% overall satisfaction rate.

The survey has gathered feedback from over 35,000 journeys throughout England, providing valuable insights into bus passenger experiences. It evaluates various aspects such as onboard experience, interactions with drivers, waiting experiences at bus stops, and perceived value for money.

A notable finding from the survey indicates that nearly half of the passengers surveyed (48%) rely solely on bus services for their transportation needs, underscoring the importance of timely, reliable, and cost-effective services.

Mark Anderson, Customer and Commercial Director, expressed pride in the company’s performance. He said: “We are proud to see Go-Ahead passengers rank amongst the most satisfied in England. Our ongoing investments in fleet, retail systems, scheduling analysis and driver training reflect our commitment to meeting and exceeding passenger expectations. It’s great to see growth in passenger numbers and we remain dedicated to upholding our reputation for delivering dependable and punctual bus services across all our operations.”

Managing Director, Ben Gilligan from East Yorkshire Buses said: “We are delighted to have contributed to the highest scores in the country through our operation of the majority of services in the East Riding. As a team, we have worked hard to improve the performance of our services through better reliability, punctuality, cleanliness and supporting the Government’s £2 fare scheme. In addition to this, our front-line driver colleagues have acted as the faces of our business and delivered great customer care to residents and visitors across the county.”

Managing Director, Andrew Wickham from Morebus said: “I am pleased that our overall score was among the highest of all the bus operators rated in this independent national report. We have made significant investment in new buses over recent years, and we have a close working partnership with the local authorities, which ensures our customers continue to enjoy a reliable, safe and high-quality services”.

Go-Ahead’s commitment to excellence in service delivery continues to drive its efforts to enhance the overall passenger experience and reinforce its position as a leader in the transport industry.

A journey for every man, woman, and child in England: Go-Ahead sells 60 million bus tickets at £2

20 February 2024

A journey for every man, woman, and child in England: Go-Ahead sells 60 million bus tickets at £2

  • Go-Ahead has sold more £2 tickets than the population of England since national bus fare cap began
  • Big boosts in passenger numbers on longer routes in Sussex, Yorkshire, and Buckinghamshire
  • Government’s “Get Around for £2” scheme helps safeguard routes and support customers with the cost of living

Go-Ahead’s bus companies have sold a £2 bus ticket for every man, woman, and child in England since the country’s nationwide bus fare cap was introduced by the Government at the beginning of 2023.

Ticket sales have reached 60 million across the group’s eight regional bus networks – surpassing the English population, which is 56.5 million according to the Office for National Statistics.

The Department for Transport’s “Get Around for £2” scheme has made bus travel cheaper on all of Go-Ahead’s regional bus companies – which have networks stretching from Cornwall to Northumberland.

The biggest seller of discount tickets in Go-Ahead’s network is Brighton & Hove Buses and Metrobus, which has carried more than 15 million passengers at £2. All of Go-Ahead’s regional bus companies outside London and Manchester are participating in the scheme.

Longer routes have proven particularly popular under the scheme. Journeys showing big increases in passenger numbers include:

  • Metrobus routes 270-273 – Crawley and East Grinstead to Brighton – a 30% increase in passenger numbers
  • Carousel Buses route 102 – High Wycombe to Heathrow Airport – a 40% rise in customers
  • East Yorkshire Buses’ X46 service – Hull to York – a 43% increase in passengers
  • Salisbury Reds X3 – Salisbury to Bournemouth – a 25% jump in passengers
“”
In just over a year, we’ve sold a £2 bus ticket for every man, woman and child in England. That’s great news – it shows that the bus fare cap has encouraged our regular customers to get out and about more frequently, and it’s attracted new passengers onto our buses.

Longer bus services between towns and villages are proving particularly popular at £2. The success of this scheme is a reminder of just how important buses are in connecting communities and helping people to access vital local services.

Martin Dean, Go-Ahead’s Managing Director, Regional Bus

“”
The number of people who are saving money through our get around for £2 fare cap is continuing to grow and grow – with fares in England, outside of London, falling by over 6% and by nearly 11% in rural areas.

It is clear getting around for £2 has got people back on our buses, better connecting our communities, supporting the economy across the country and giving people the freedom to travel and save some cash while they do.

Guy Opperman, Roads Minister

Participating Go-Ahead bus companies include:

  • Brighton & Hove Buses and Metrobus
  • Go South Coast – Bluestar, Morebus, Southern Vectis, Salisbury Reds, and Swindon’s Bus Company
  • Go South West – Plymouth Citybus, Go Cornwall, Go Devon and Dartline
  • The Oxford Bus Company – including Carousel Buses, Thames Travel and Pulham & Sons
  • Go East Anglia – Konectbus, Hedingham and Chambers
  • East Yorkshire Buses

Go-Ahead Group unveils App-based bus fare discovery feature

15 February 2024

Go-Ahead Group unveils App-based bus fare discovery feature

Go-Ahead Group, in partnership with its digital technology provider, Passenger, has introduced real-time bus fare information within its mobile apps for bus companies. This feature will help to make the apps into convenient hubs for ticket purchases and travel planning, enhancing the overall customer experience.

For the first time, passengers can see at a glance their journey’s cost before boarding. Initially launched at Go-Ahead’s Brighton & Hove Buses and Metrobus, the feature will soon be integrated by Go-Ahead’s regional UK bus operators, extending its benefits to a wider audience nationwide.

A third of people seek information about bus fares before starting their journey, according to research by Transport Focus. This update directly addresses this demand by providing customers with details on tickets purchasable onboard from the driver or via mobile tickets accessible through smartphones. Mobile ticketing, known for its convenience, allows instant ticket acquisition for immediate travel.

Kanwar Brar, Chief Digital and Information Officer for Go-Ahead said: “This feature emphasises our commitment to enhance our customers’ journeys. We think it will get more people travelling by bus. After years of streamlining our data accessibility, it’s good to see our efforts pay off, especially for prospective customers. It is hugely positive that this feature uses the Bus Open Data fares feeds, demonstrating their accuracy and further alignment with the Department for Transport’s data strategy. We’re committed to working with our partners to promote bus travel further.”

This project marks the inaugural use of the NeTEx fares dataset, available through the national Bus Open Data Service (BODS). Initiated in response to the Bus Services Act of 2017, this service, managed by the Department for Transport (DfT), aims to simplify local bus service information, fostering innovation and enhancing passenger engagement.

Tom Quay, CEO of Passenger, praised Go-Ahead Group’s commitment to leveraging technology to improve the customer experience. He remarked, “The integration of fare information into Go-Ahead’s Passenger apps and operator websites is a significant achievement. We’ve seen first hand the dedication Go-Ahead has invested in advancing the BODS initiative, and we’re excited to deliver tangible benefits. This development has the potential to revolutionise the customer journey experience, making bus travel more accessible.”

In the future, the app updates have the potential to incorporate more ticketing products, including time-based capped fares, as the Bus Open Data Service evolves, offering increased flexibility and convenience to passengers.

The Go-Ahead Group to acquire Eastbourne Sightseeing

08 February 2024

The Go-Ahead Group to acquire Eastbourne Sightseeing

  • Open-top bus operator to become part of Go-Ahead’s Brighton & Hove Buses
  • Deal adds to Go-Ahead’s UK-wide portfolio of scenic bus tours
  • Tourist bus route connects with GTR’s Southern Railway services to London

The Go-Ahead Group has agreed a deal to acquire Eastbourne Sightseeing, an operator of scenic bus tours of Eastbourne, Beachy Head, Birling Gap and surrounding areas.

Following the transaction, the business will become part of Go-Ahead’s Brighton & Hove Buses division, expanding the group’s presence in the East Sussex area.

Eastbourne Sightseeing owns nine open-top vehicles, used seasonally to provide popular tours along the seafront, around Eastbourne’s streets and into the South Downs National Park. The business is based at a depot in Ringmer, near Lewes.

The open-top bus tours call at Eastbourne station, which is served by Southern Rail – part of Go-Ahead’s GTR rail network. This will allow customers to catch a train from London to Eastbourne and connect to open-top buses to the South Downs directly using Go-Ahead services.

Brighton & Hove Buses will retain the Eastbourne Sightseeing brand and use its website and marketing expertise to build demand for the tour in the future. Go-Ahead will explore partnership marketing opportunities between Eastbourne Sightseeing and Southern Rail.

Go-Ahead already operates 15 open top bus tours around the UK – including city routes such as Oxford’s City Sightseeing and Newcastle’s Toon Tour; seaside trips including the Clacton Breezer, Scarborough Beachcomber, Bridlington Beachcomber and Needles Breezer, and rural tours such as the New Forest Tours. The open top bus market in Britain is worth an estimated £150 million in revenue annually industry wide.

“”
Eastbourne Sightseeing is a thriving operator offering terrific tours in one of the most scenic parts of the south coast. We intend to build on its success, invest in the business and look at opportunities for expansion

Ed Wills, Managing Director, Brighton & Hove Buses

Go-Ahead has already bought three regional bus companies in 14 months – Dartline in Devon, Southdown in West Sussex and Pulham & Sons in the Cotswolds.

“”
Go-Ahead is an ambitious company with an eye for expansion in the regional bus industry. We aim to invest in communities across the UK and to grow the popularity of bus travel. I’m delighted to welcome Eastbourne Sightseeing into the Go-Ahead Group.

Matt Carney, CEO of The Go-Ahead Group’s bus division

“”
I’m delighted to see the Eastbourne Sightseeing service join Brighton & Hove Buses and the wider Go-Ahead family. We’re incredibly proud of the success of this open top route over the last few years and I have every confidence that the team at Brighton & Hove will continue building and developing the service for the future

David Mulpeter, Managing Director of Seven Sisters Bus & Coach, owner of Eastbourne Sightseeing

Go-Ahead joins partners to launch all-electric bus fleet for Oxford

16 January 2024

Go-Ahead joins partners to launch all-electric bus fleet for Oxford

  • Fleet of 159 zero emission battery electric buses launched in Oxford
  • Work complete in creating one of the UK’s largest bus charging hubs at Go-Ahead’s Cowley depot
  • Buses will deliver cleaner air, smoother journeys and brand new vehicles for bus users

The Go-Ahead Group has joined partners in Oxford to launch one of the UK’s biggest fleets of electric buses, delivering cleaner air, smoother journeys and brand new vehicles for the university city.

The £82.5 million project will deliver 159 battery buses onto the streets of Oxford – the first of which have already gone into service.

It has been funded via a collaboration between Oxfordshire County Council, Go-Ahead’s Oxford Bus Company and Stagecoach. The Council was awarded £32.8M from the Government’s Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas (ZEBRA) scheme and contributed £6M directly, while bus operators invested £43.7M.

The groundbreaking infrastructure project is a huge boost to Oxford’s vision to creating a more sustainable, decarbonized public transport system and improving air quality.

Oxford Bus Company will deliver 104 electric buses into service and Stagecoach 55. In preparation for launch, Oxford Bus Company has electrified its Cowley House depot, turning it into one of the biggest electric bus charging stations in Britain – with each charging point providing enough electricity for buses to drive up to 200 miles per day.

To celebrate the historic development key stakeholders gathered for a launch event at Divinity School in Oxford city centre on Monday night where some of the new electric buses were showcased and key representatives delivered speeches.

Go-Ahead is the UK’s leading operator of zero emission buses with more than 700 electric and hydrogen fuel cell buses on the road, and with plans for more than 1,000 by the end of 2025.

“”
Go-Ahead is proud to be the largest operator of zero emission buses in Britain. Electric buses make an enormous difference to air quality in cities and by decarbonising our fleet in towns and cities across the country, we aim to make a positive contribution to the fight against climate change.

These new buses in Oxford will form Go-Ahead’s biggest fleet of zero emission buses outside London. The project is an example of bus operators working closely with local authorities to deliver for communities.

Matt Carney, CEO of The Go-Ahead Group’s bus division

“”
This is a historic moment in our journey towards transforming our city services to electric. Our first tranche of electric buses is now in service, and are already starting to improve air quality and make bus travel an even more attractive option for people to travel around Oxford.

Decarbonising buses is an exciting project – and we have demonstrated that with the right strategic partnership working between the public and private sector, we can unlock investment to make it happen. We look forward to working with Oxfordshire County Council on important initiatives going forward to encourage people to travel by bus.

Luke Marion, Oxford Bus Company Managing Director

Pay less to travel this winter: fares capped at £2 on Go-Ahead buses across Britain

19 December 2023

Pay less to travel this winter: fares capped at £2 on Go-Ahead buses across Britain

  • From 1st January to 31st March, Go-Ahead’s UK bus operating companies will offer adult bus fares capped at £2 per single journey.
  • The Government is providing up to £60 million for bus operators outside London to help people with cost of living.
  • How far can our £2 fare take you? On our longer routes, a single ticket on a Go-Ahead bus can take you 40 miles or even further

Go-Ahead bus companies will be offering millions of adults across England single fares capped at £2 on bus journeys outside London from January. The offer is funded through a £60 million scheme under the Government’s “Help for Households” program to help the public with cost-of-living pressures over the winter.

All single fares are covered by the scheme, with a handful of exceptions – such as sightseeing buses and long-distance coaches. Passengers can expect to make big savings from Go-Ahead’s longer bus routes, including:

  • Go North East’s X10 between Newcastle and Middlesborough, usually £8 (39 miles)
  • The Regency Route between Brighton and Tunbridge Wells, usually £6.20 (33 miles), run by Brighton & Hove Buses
  • Oxford Bus Company’s, River Rapid route from Oxford to Reading, usually £5 (26 miles)
  • Salisbury to Swindon, operated by Salisbury Reds – a journey of 40 miles, usually £7.20
  • East Yorkshire Buses’ X46, from Hull to York, usually £8.50 (37 miles)

The government has estimated that the average single fare for a 3-mile journey is £2.80, meaning the special fare will save passengers almost 30%. The initiative, which ends on March 31st, will help millions of Go-Ahead passengers with travel costs for work, education, and essential journeys.

“”
Many of our passengers are feeling the pinch this winter as household bills mount. So we’re proud that all our UK bus companies are supporting this Government initiative to help people with their travel costs.

Under this special fare, you’ll be able to go further than ever for £2. We hope it will encourage people to try some new routes, have some adventures and to explore the freedom of travelling by bus.

Martin Dean, Go-Ahead’s Managing Director, UK Regional Bus

“”
Bus travel remains the most popular form of public transport in England, making up around half of all journeys. That’s why we’re investing £60 million to cap single bus fares at £2 to support every passenger and help get people back on the bus. 

With the scheme set to take two million car journeys off the road, it’s fantastic to see so many bus operators signing up to the fare cap, helping people to ‘Get Around for £2’ between the 1st January and 31st March.

Richard Holden, Buses Minister

Happy birthday, electric buses: Go-Ahead celebrates a decade of emission-free buses in London

18 December 2023

Go-Ahead recognised as leading apprenticeship provider

  • Celebration in Camberwell marks the 10th anniversary of London’s first modern electric bus
  • Buses operated by Go-Ahead London have delivered carbon benefits equivalent to taking 24,000 cars off the road
  • Go-Ahead unveils ambitious plans for expansion of its zero emission fleet

London’s largest bus operator, Go-Ahead London, has delivered a saving of 40,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions over ten years of operation of emission-free electric buses on behalf of Transport for London.

The reduction in emissions is equivalent to taking 24,000 cars off the road. The impact has delivered cleaner air for Londoners and setting a benchmark for decarbonisation of public transport for cities across the UK.

Go-Ahead London today hosted a celebration at its Camberwell depot to mark the 10th anniversary of the operation of London’s first modern day emission-free bus, which was trialled on December 18th 2013.

As part of the event, pictures were displayed of the ‘clean bus of the future’ drawn by pupils from local schools and guests were served with a zero emission bus themed birthday cake.

Go-Ahead London operates 520 zero emission buses on behalf of TfL and expects to increase this number to 1,000 by the end of 2026 – account for almost half the company’s fleet.

Across the UK as a whole, The Go-Ahead Group operates 670 zero emission buses and is shortly to deploy an additional 106 electric vehicles in Oxford, part funded by the Government’s ZEBRA scheme.

In 2022, a Zero Emission Centre for Excellence was opened in London by Go-Ahead to develop ways of optimising operation of zero emission buses – including maximising energy efficiency, standardising maintenance, bringing down the cost of charging infrastructure and extending the lifespan of batteries.

David Cutts, Managing Director, Go-Ahead London, said: “It’s hard to believe it’s been ten years since our first electric bus hit the road. The technology has developed at a rapid pace and electric buses are rapidly become the norm, rather than the exception, on London’s streets.

“We’re proud to work in partnership with Transport for London to deliver cleaner air and quieter journeys for Londoners. The Go-Ahead Group as a whole has been able to take experience from London and apply it to the roll-out of zero emission buses across the UK.”

Tom Cunnington, TfL’s Head of Buses Business Development said: “London’s red buses are iconic and are some of the greenest in the world, with the lower CO2 emissions per passenger kilometres compared to other global cities like New York, Paris and Vancouver. With more than 1,300 zero emission buses on our roads, our programme of decarbonising the fleet is playing a crucial role in the journey to net-zero. Zero emission buses help Londoners breathe cleaner air and reduce the impact of road transport on our environment.

“We’re really proud to be celebrating this milestone with Go-Ahead London who are marking 10 years of their emission-free electric bus services on our roads. We are working closely with capital’s bus operators to convert the whole fleet and remain on track to be a fully zero-emission fleet by 2034, which could be accelerated to 2030 with further Government funding.”

Go-Ahead Group and Google launch industry-first feature to help customers keep track of spending on bus journeys

05 December 2023

Go-Ahead Group and Google launch industry-first feature to help customers keep track of spending on bus journeys

The Go-Ahead Group, a leading public transport operator, is teaming up with Google to introduce a new feature aimed at enhancing the customer experience for bus travel.

In collaboration with Google and Littlepay, Go-Ahead’s Brighton & Hove Buses is unveiling an industry-first initiative which will simplify the way passengers manage their mobile payments for bus journeys. The new feature, integrated with Google Wallet, will provide customers with greater visibility into their ride history and savings accrued through time-based fare caps.

Up to 80% of Go-Ahead’s passengers pay digitally when they board Go-Ahead’s regional buses – with an increasing number ‘tapping on’ and ‘tapping off’ when they make a journey with the benefit of flexible capping in many areas. Instead of cash, customers are adopting smart cards, contactless and apps to pay for their journeys.

The groundwork for this new scheme was developed between teams at Google and at Go-Ahead’s payment provider Littlepay. Key benefits of this new feature include:

Real-Time Savings Information: Passengers tapping to pay for a bus journey will now quickly see how much they’ve saved through time-based fare caps, providing a clear understanding of the economic benefits of public transportation.

Ride History at Your Fingertips: Google Wallet will display comprehensive ride histories for passengers, allowing them to effortlessly keep track of their bus journeys and savings.

Enhanced Security and Convenience: The collaboration with Littlepay ensures secure and convenient payment transactions, reinforcing Go-Ahead’s commitment to delivering a frictionless travel experience.

The initial rollout of this feature is set to take place at Brighton & Hove Buses, serving as a pilot program to refine and optimise the functionality. Following this debut, Go-Ahead aims to expand the feature to more cities across the UK and beyond, offering passengers an unparalleled level of control and insight into their public transportation expenses.

“”
We are excited to join forces with Google to bring this groundbreaking feature to our passengers. This initiative reflects our commitment to leveraging technology to enhance the customer experience and make public transportation more accessible and user-friendly. We believe this collaboration will set a new standard for the industry, reinforcing our dedication to innovation and customer satisfaction.

Kanwar Brar

Go-Ahead’s Chief Digital and Information Officer

Nick Hill, Commercial Director at Brighton & Hove Buses said: “Most of our passengers are already using digital or contactless payment methods, so it makes sense for us to trial new ways in which we can further enhance the customers’ journey. With 60 million passengers on our buses a year, the customer experience is a top priority”.

“Paying for transit using Google Pay is quick, easy and secure” said Jonathan Hill, Head of Transit Partnerships, Google Pay, “By teaming up with Littlepay and Brighton & Hove Buses we are enabling Google Wallet users to track their spending and progress towards daily, or weekly travel caps. We want to help people feel more in control of their spending and encourage use of sustainable transport”

Paul Griffin, Head of Commercial at Littlepay said: “Being able to communicate in real time with passengers as part of the pay-as-you-go experience is a huge leap forward. This project will benefit riders, giving them visibility of savings made through PAYG. It also gives operators a pathway to develop relationships with PAYG passengers and create a real sense of membership and valued loyalty. Littlepay is delighted to be first to market with Google on this important initiative.”

The Go-Ahead Group looks forward to pioneering this transformative solution, with the goal of making public transportation a more seamless and enjoyable experience for passengers.

Leonard Lee appointed Managing Director of Go-Ahead Singapore

03 October 2023

Leonard Lee appointed Managing Director of Go-Ahead Singapore

New leadership at Go-Ahead Singapore, effective this month.

Andy Thompson to return to the UK to take up a new role at The Go-Ahead Group. Go-Ahead Singapore operates 440 buses and employs more than 1,000 people.

The Go-Ahead Group has appointed Leonard Lee to lead its successful bus business in Singapore, with responsibility for overseeing a team of more than 1,000 people.

Leonard became Managing Director on October 2nd, succeeding Andy Thompson who is returning to the UK to take up a new role for Go-Ahead Group.

Previously Engineering Director, Leonard has been with Go-Ahead Singapore since the company began operating buses in the city in 2016. He has overseen multiple innovations including the introduction of industry leading telematics, digitalisation tools and solar panels on buses.

A Singapore citizen, he has a degree in engineering from Nanyang Technological University and an MBA from the University of Manchester. Prior to joining Go-Ahead, he worked for one of the world’s largest container port operators, PSA Corporation.

The change of leadership comes after a period of prolonged success for Go-Ahead Singapore. The company runs 440  buses on 31 routes on the island with a commuter satisfaction score of over 90%.

Go-Ahead’s contract to operate buses was extended by Singapore’s Land Transport Authority last year, and runs until 2026.

“”
Our buses carry thousands of people every day in Singapore, and our colleagues do a great job every day in running essential public transport services.

We’re committed to investing in, and expanding, Go-Ahead Singapore. Leonard is a terrific leader who knows the bus business inside out, and he is the ideal person to take the company to its next stage in development.

Andy Thompson has been an exceptional managing director over the last four years. Under his tenure, we’ve become a well established player in Singapore public transport and I’m pleased that he will be staying with The Go-Ahead Group.

Christian Schreyer

Group Chief Executive, The Go-Ahead Group

“”
I am excited and truly honoured to be appointed to this role. I would like to thank Andy for his guidance and tremendous support over the years. Under his leadership, Go-Ahead Singapore has set a high standard, and I look forward to building on this legacy and driving our company’s continued success.

Leonard Lee

Managing Director, Go-Ahead Singapore