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The Go-Ahead Group and ComfortDelGro awarded contract to operate Stockholm’s Metro network

23 January 2024

The Go-Ahead Group and ComfortDelGro awarded contract to operate Stockholm’s Metro network

  • Connecting Stockholm joint venture wins 11-year deal
  • Network carries 350 million passengers annually on 106km of track
  • Contract to begin in May 2025, building on Go-Ahead’s rail operations in the UK and Norway

Connecting Stockholm, a joint venture between The Go-Ahead Group and ComfortDelGro, has been awarded a contract by the Traffic Committee in Region Stockholm to operate and maintain the Stockholm Metro network, known as the Tunnelbana.

The contract will be for a term of 11 years starting from May 2025. Connecting Stockholm will operate and maintain metro services across three lines comprising 100 stations, six depots and 106 kilometres of track.

A locally managed joint venture, Connecting Stockholm is 55% owned by Go-Ahead and 45% owned by ComfortDelGro. The combination brings together the two companies’ complementary strengths in rail, urban transport and infrastructure.

Go-Ahead is the majority owner of Govia Thameslink Railway, the UK’s largest and most complex rail network which accounts for one in five UK passenger journeys by train. Go-Ahead is also the biggest bus operator in London. The group already has a presence in Scandinavia through its Go-Ahead Nordic rail network in Norway, and through Flexbuss, a bus operator in southern Sweden.

Meanwhile, ComfortDelGro’s Singapore-listed subsidiary, SBS Transit, runs the Downtown and North East Lines in Singapore – one of the world’s most reliable and punctual metro rail operations . ComfortDelGro also runs Auckland One Rail in New Zealand.

Under the terms of the contract, Connecting Stockholm will be responsible for customer service, the planning and delivery of rail services, fleet and stations maintenance, as well as depot facilities.

Over the course of the contract, Stockholm’s subway will undergo several major changes – including extensions of the city’s blue line to the municipality Nacka east of Stockholm, and of the green line to Arenastaden, north of Stockholm.

“”
We’re delighted to be offered the opportunity to serve the people of Stockholm. This has been a well-run tender process by the Traffic Committee in Region Stockholm and, together with ComfortDelGro, we look forward to working in partnership with them to deliver our plans over the next 11 years. 

Go-Ahead is a successful British company with huge experience in operating busy, complex urban transport networks. This is an exciting contract, and it underlines our ambition to expand in rail operation.

Patrick Verwer, Rail CEO, The Go-Ahead Group

“”
With our proven record in providing operational excellence and customer centric innovation, ComfortDelGro is delighted to be partnering Go-Ahead to operate and maintain the world-class Stockholm Metro system. Together, we can look forward to providing a safe, reliable and positive commuter experience to the people of Stockholm.

Cheng Siak Kian, ComfortDelGro Managing Director / Group CEO

“”
We are really looking forward to starting and developing our business here in Stockholm and, above all, meeting all the dedicated and competent employees who currently work in the metro and welcoming them to Connecting Stockholm in the near future .

Cheng Siak Kian, ComfortDelGro Managing Director / Group CEO

The Go-Ahead Group agrees sale of its German rail business to Austria’s ÖBB

12 October 2023

The Go-Ahead Group agrees sale of its German rail business to Austria’s ÖBB

Transaction means an exit for Go-Ahead from non-core German rail operations

Austria’s national railway company gains a foothold in regional rail passenger transport in Germany. Go-Ahead Germany employs 1,000 people, operates 144 trains and runs 20 million train kilometres annually.

The Go-Ahead Group has reached an agreement to sell its German rail business, Go-Ahead Verkehrsgesellschaft Deutschland GmbH, to Austria’s ÖBB-Personenverkehr AG.

The transaction is subject to competition approval and is expected to be completed by the end of 2023.

Go-Ahead Germany operates three rail contracts in Baden-Wurttemberg and two in Bavaria. Operations in Baden-Wurttemberg began in June 2019, with Bavaria following in December 2021, and the company has delivered positive outcomes for passengers – including a fleet of new trains, high customer service and increased capacity.

The sale of Go-Ahead Germany will future-proof the business and create a platform for ÖBB to enter the German regional rail market and grow in the country.

Customers will benefit from the know-how of ÖBB, which operates 4,400 local trains daily in Austria, transporting 210 million passengers annually with high customer satisfaction and punctuality ratings.

“”
We are proud of the rail services we have delivered to passengers in Germany over the last four years in spite of very challenging conditions. We have introduced a fleet of new trains, we have brought in a very motivated team and established one of the biggest driver training schools in Germany.

I am pleased that we are now able to sell the business in good shape to a well respected rail operator with ambitious plans for the German network.

Go-Ahead remains fully committed to rail in the UK, and to expansion in metropolitan rail elsewhere in the world. I would like to thank all our colleagues in Germany and to offer them our very best wishes for the future.

Christian Schreyer

Group Chief Executive, The Go-Ahead Group

“”
We welcome this investment by ÖBB, which has a very good reputation in Germany. Our business in Germany will be future-proofed and positioned for growth. With ÖBB as a strong partner, this deal offers excellent prospects for our passengers, clients and employees.

Fabian Amini

Managing Director, Go-Ahead Germany

The Go-Ahead Group announces new leadership

11 October 2023

The Go-Ahead Group announces new leadership

The Board of The Go-Ahead Group (“Go-Ahead”) today announces that Christian Schreyer has agreed with the Board to stand down as Group Chief Executive at the end of October 2023, when he will be succeeded by Miguel Ángel Parras.

Christian, with 30 years’ transport experience, joined Go-Ahead in 2021. He led the business through the move from public to private ownership last October and agreed with the Board that he would continue with the execution of The Next Billion Journeys strategy, establish a new executive leadership team, resolve the issues in International Rail and deliver growth in the bus business through acquisitions and tender wins.

He will be succeeded on November 1st by Miguel Ángel Parras, Chief Investment Officer at Globalvia since 2019. Miguel led the acquisition of Go Ahead for the Globalvia consortium team from the origination of the transaction in early 2022. A Spanish national, Miguel has extensive experience in business development and financing investments in infrastructure and transportation.  Prior to Globalvia, he spent ten years at FCC, a leading infrastructure group.  He began his career in transport engineering and consultancy, with experience at INECO and PROES Consultores.  He holds an MBA from IESE Business School.

The changes will take Go-Ahead to the next stage of its development, following last year’s takeover of the company by Kinetic and Globalvia.  Go-Ahead remains fully focused on delivering outstanding bus and rail services for customers, and in working collaboratively with transport authorities in Britain and overseas.

As part of the Group’s succession plan, Clare Hollingsworth, Non-Executive Chair of Go-Ahead since October 2019, will stand down from the Board at the end of the year, after overseeing the change in ownership and transition in leadership. The Board will announce a successor in due course.

“”
Having created The Next Billion Journeys strategy, built a new executive leadership team, led the business through the Board recommended offer to take the business into private ownership and delivered priority projects, I have agreed with the Board that this is the right time to step down. I am very proud of the resilience shown by the business in adapting to change over the last two years. Successful service businesses are all about people, and Go-Ahead has some of the best in the industry. I wish Miguel and all my colleagues in Go-Ahead all the best for the future.

Christian Schreyer

Group Chief Executive, The Go-Ahead Group

“”
The Go-Ahead Group is an exceptional company renowned for its excellence in bus and rail operations. I am thrilled to be entrusted with the role of CEO in such a dynamic business, taking the torch from Christian, a truly impressive professional. Public transport presents exciting prospects for growth, especially as the global landscape shifts towards a more sustainable, low-carbon future. I am delighted to become part of this organisation and eagerly anticipate the opportunity to connect with colleagues across the seven countries in which Go-Ahead operates.

Miguel Ángel Parras

Chief Investment Officer at Globalvia

“”
On behalf of the Board I thank Christian for his significant contribution over the last two years. He provided clear direction and focus to offset the uncertainty that often accompanies a change of ownership, enabling our bus business to deliver significant growth with the acquisitions of Flexbuss, Dartline, Southdown and Pulhams, as well as major tender wins among others in Manchester and a successful mobilisation. He also restructured our rail businesses in Germany and Norway. Christian leaves with the Board’s best wishes.

I also extend a warm welcome to Miguel, whose depth of experience of successfully investing in transportation and infrastructure projects will strengthen the Board’s ability to identify and optimise the choices on offer.

Clare Hollingsworth

Chair of the Board

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

Go-Ahead invests £40 million in drivers and buses for Bee Network launch

22 September 2023

Go-Ahead invests £40 million in drivers and buses for Bee Network launch

Go-Ahead bus drivers travel from across the UK to support launch

102 new buses form part of Bee Network fleet in Bolton and Wigan

Bee Network buses will begin carrying passengers at 5am on Sunday

Experienced bus drivers have travelled from across Britain to take part in Sunday’s Bee Network bus launch in Manchester, with vehicles set to be driven by colleagues from as far afield as Cornwall, Brighton, London and East Yorkshire.

Yellow-branded Bee Network buses will begin on Sunday morning on 50 bus routes in and around Bolton and Wigan – the first stage in what will eventually be a fully integrated public transport network across Greater Manchester.

 

Go North West has borrowed 85 drivers from its sister Go-Ahead bus companies across Britain for a three-month period to ensure the Bee Network launch goes smoothly, while new driver are being trained. All have volunteered for the secondment and have undergone extensive route training, an induction to Manchester and familiarisation with vehicles.

Go-Ahead and Transport for Greater Manchester have invested in 102 new buses, of which 50 are zero-emission electric vehicles. These will form part of an overall fleet of 320 vehicles to be mobilised on Sunday, branded in yellow Bee Network colours. The new vehicles will be fully accessible, with passenger information screens, space for two wheelchairs plus CCTV and two-way radios for security.

Sunday’s launch will be the culmination of ten months’ preparation and will involve more than 1,000 people – working out of two depots, operating 50 routes. The first bus out will leave Bolton’s bus depot at 5.07am.

Of a total of 550 drivers involved in Bolton and Wigan Bee Network operations, 70 are new recruits hired as part of Go North West’s “Elite Bus Driver Academy” training program and 85 are secondees from across the UK.

Go-Ahead companies which have loaned drivers include:

  • Go Cornwall Bus
  • Plymouth Citybus
  • Bluestar (Southampton)
  • Morebus (Bournemouth)
  • Southern Vectis (Isle of Wight)
  • Oxford Bus Company
  • Go-Ahead London
  • Brighton & Hove Buses and Metrobus
  • East Yorkshire Buses
  • Konectbus (Norfolk)
  • Hedingham & Chambers (Essex)
  • Go North East (Tyne & Wear)
“”
This is a big day for transport in Manchester and we’re delighted to have colleagues from across the UK helping us. So if you get on a Bee Network bus this weekend and hear an unfamiliar accent behind the wheel, don’t be surprised.

These drivers will tide us over while we train hundreds of home-grown new drivers in Manchester who are going through our bus driver academy. Everyone behind the wheel of a bus will be extensively route trained and familiar with tickets, vehicles and customer service.

We’re proud to be running 102 brand new buses, and we look forward to delivering exceptional public transport for Manchester.

Nigel Featham

Managing Director, Go North West

The final countdown: Go-Ahead prepares to operate Manchester’s first Bee Network buses

18 September 2023

The final countdown: Go-Ahead prepares to operate Manchester’s first Bee Network buses

Yellow Bee Network buses will roll out of depots in Bolton and Wigan on Sunday morning

Customers to benefit from safe, secure, comfortable zero-emission buses

Go North West welcomes colleagues from 6 incumbent bus brands, plus drivers new to the industry

Over 1,000 colleagues are ready to operate 320 buses on 50 routes

The Go-Ahead Group is making final preparations to run Manchester’s first Bee Network buses this weekend, with services due to begin on Sunday on 50 routes in Bolton and Wigan.

More than 1,000 colleagues at Go-Ahead’s Go North West operating company are involved in a team effort to run the yellow-branded buses, which mark the start of Transport for Greater Manchester’s Bee Network – which will be an integrated system bringing together all modes of local transport.

Mobilisation efforts have been underway for 10 months since the award of a contract to Go North West by TfGM. Go North West is taking over two depots from outgoing operators and buses will be swapped out, with fully trained new drivers in place, overnight.

Bee Network buses will replace Manchester’s six incumbent bus brands over the next 18 months, providing a joined up network for passengers. This weekend is the first of three phases in which buses across Greater Manchester will go yellow. Six liveries from legacy bus companies will eventually disappear.

Of the Bolton and Wigan fleet, 50 buses are zero-emission electric vehicles and all are fully accessible. All the buses on the network are equipped with passenger information screens and space for two wheelchairs, plus CCTV and two-way radios for security.

Go-Ahead brings expertise in franchised bus services from its track record as London’s largest bus operator, running a quarter of buses in the capital. The company also runs buses under contract for transport authorities in Ireland, Sweden and Singapore.

Fares remain £2 for an adult ticket, or £1 for a child.

“”
It’s all change for Manchester’s buses and we have a team of over 1,000 people ready to go this weekend. We’ve been working around the clock for months on a mammoth operation – every vehicle, every depot and every driver needs to be ready.

We are determined to deliver world class public transport for a world class city. Go-Ahead is proud to be working with the Mayor and with Transport for Greater Manchester over this exciting changeover weekend.

Nigel Featham

Managing Director, Go North West

Angie Doll appointed Chief Executive Officer of Govia Thameslink Railway

14 September 2023

Angie Doll appointed Chief Executive Officer of Govia Thameslink Railway

Leadership transition at Britain’s biggest rail company with effect from the end of November

Angie Doll steps up from Chief Operating Officer to become Chief Executive Officer

After five years at GTR, Patrick Verwer moves to The Go-Ahead Group as Rail CEO

Govia Thameslink Railway announces today that Angie Doll is to become its Chief Executive Officer at the end of November, replacing Patrick Verwer who is stepping away from day-to-day management of Britain’s largest rail network.

The appointment has been made by The Go-Ahead Group and Keolis, joint owners of GTR – which delivers a fifth of all UK passenger rail journeys through its Thameslink, Southern, Great Northern and Gatwick Express services.

Angie is presently Chief Operating Officer of GTR – a role she has held since October 2021. Prior to that, she was Managing Director of Southern and Gatwick Express. She joined the railway industry in 1999 as station manager in Brighton, and has held a series of senior passenger delivery and strategic positions at Go-Ahead rail operating companies.

Her achievements include leading the UK’s first domestic high-speed train services at Southeastern, introducing a new Gatwick Express fleet and leading Southern to become National Passenger Operator of the Year in 2021. An advocate for diversity in the workplace, she has won the Everywoman Transport and Logistics Champion award and the Rail Business Award for Diversity, and she is a champion for youth employability.

The leadership handover at GTR enables Patrick Verwer to move to The Go-Ahead Group to take on a strategic role as Rail CEO. He will oversee rail development projects at Go-Ahead, which operates rail networks in Germany and Norway as well as the United Kingdom and has plans to expand in light rail under its ‘Next Billion Journeys’ strategy.

“”
Angie is a superb leader with a true instinct for the railways, and a keen eye for the needs of passengers. She has excelled in every role she’s held at Go-Ahead and she is the ideal person to steer GTR to its next phase of growth.

I’d like to thank Patrick for his outstanding achievements in leading Britain’s busiest and most complex rail network over the last five years. He has delivered many innovations and he’s built a strong, stable and consistent service over a period in which the industry has faced significant challenges. I’m delighted he will be taking on a broader role at Go-Ahead, bringing fresh thinking, as well as years of experience to help us grow our rail business. I very much look forward to continuing working alongside him.

Christian Schreyer

Group Chief Executive Officer, The Go-Ahead Group

“”
This railway is very close to my heart and I feel proud and honoured to be taking on this new challenge. I very much look forward to leading the wonderful teams at Govia Thameslink Railway, so we build on the great progress we’ve already made. Partnering with our stakeholders and industry colleagues to deliver for our customers is going to be my absolute focus, so we meet customers’ needs, connect people and help communities thrive.

Angie Doll

“”
It has been an absolute pleasure working with the GTR team. They have shown dedication, true customer focus and incredible resilience. Together we have delivered significant innovation and development across London and the South East, including improvements to customer information and service punctuality, more focus on security and safety, as well as improvements to accessibility and diversity. I am absolutely delighted to be handing over the reins to Angie Doll later this year, and very much look forward to starting my new role at The Go-Ahead Group.

Patrick Verwer

The Go-Ahead Group creating world leading electric charging hub in Oxford

17 July 2023

The Go-Ahead Group creating world leading electric charging hub in Oxford

Work begins on installing 104 electric charging points at Go-Ahead’s Oxford Bus Company depot in Cowley.

The facility will be among the largest zero-emission bus charging hubs in Britain.

Electric buses in Oxford will take to the streets later this year co-funded by operators, the local authority and the Department for Transport.

The Go-Ahead Group has commenced work to install one of the biggest electric charging hubs in the UK at the depot of its Oxford Bus Company operation.

Zenobē, the UK’s leading fleet electrification specialist has begun work to install extensive charging infrastructure at Cowley House.

 

The 104 charging points, each offering 150kw of DC power, are being installed ahead of Oxford Bus Company receiving the first delivery of electric buses later this year.

 

The hub will be supplied by an 8 Megawatt (MW) electrical connection, which will provide enough electricity to charge all 104 buses, enough for each bus to drive over 170 miles per day. The charging hub will produce enough electricity to power the equivalent of:

 

More than 16,000 average family homes

More than 130,000 TVs simultaneously

Boiling 2,700 kettles continuously

With co-funding from Go Ahead Group, Oxfordshire County Council and the Department for Transport’s Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas (ZEBRA) scheme, Oxford Bus Company has ordered 104 new electric buses to begin arriving on Oxford’s streets from late 2023.

A consortium of bus operators including the Oxford Bus Company pledged £43.7M towards the scheme, the government committed £32.8M and Oxfordshire County Council £6M. In total the combined investment will result in 159 new battery electric buses serving Oxford. Oxfordshire was one of only 12 local authorities to successfully apply for ZEBRA funding and is one of the biggest schemes in the country.

“”
This is another exciting step forward in our extensive infrastructure scope of works in preparation for transforming our city services to electric. Partnering with Zenobē ensures we will receive the best-in-class advice and technology to fully equip us with a market leading charging solution that meets our needs.

We’re looking forward to introducing the first tranche of electric buses later in the year, which will help improve air quality and make bus travel an even more attractive option for people to travel around Oxford.

Luke Marion

Oxford Bus Company Managing Director

The Oxford Bus Company’s owner, Go-Ahead, is one of the UK’s largest bus and rail operators. Under a strategy called ‘The Next Billion Journeys’, Go-Ahead has pledged to convert its 5,500-strong bus fleet nationwide to zero emission energy.

“”
Customers in Oxford can look forward to clean, green, comfortable buses when this work is complete. This is a great example of bus operators working in partnership with local and national government to deliver zero-emission transport.

Christian Schreyer

Group Chief Executive

The commencement of works is the latest stage in the ambitious urban decarbonisation project, Energy Superhub Oxford. The four-year project has seen innovations such as the creation of a first-of-a-kind battery storage system, a high-power private wire charging network and an electric vehicle (EV) charging hub at Redbridge Park & Ride.

To enable the buses to charge overnight, depot charging infrastructure being installed by Zenobē will be powered by an EDF Renewables UK substation at Oxford Bus Company’s Watlington Road depot.

“”
This is a flagship project for Zenobē. It is an example of what an ambitious operator can do with a strong vision and local support. We have worked on more than 50 electrification projects globally and this one stands out for its scale and for the level of collaboration with other operators and government. It has been great collaborating with Luke Marion and his team: we are happy to have started work and are looking forward to seeing the first buses on the road later this year.

Steven Meersman

Co-Founder Director of Zenobē

In 2020 Oxford Bus Company introduced the first double deck electric bus to Oxford via its City Sightseeing Oxford fleet. It now has three retrofitted electric vehicles in its fleet, which were delivered in partnership with Oxford City Council.

The arrival of the fleet of electric buses is expected to support a further drop in NOx levels to help clean up Oxford’s air pollution as part of wider aims for Oxfordshire to become a net carbon zero county by 2025.

All the new buses are being manufactured in the UK and are expected to arrive by June 2024. The Go-Ahead Group is an international provider of public transport services, and its Oxford division includes Oxford Bus Company, Thames Travel, City Sightseeing Oxford, Carousel Buses and Pulhams Coaches.

The Go-Ahead Group makes senior engineering appointments

14 July 2023

The Go-Ahead Group makes senior engineering appointments

Richard Harrington appointed Go-Ahead Group’s Engineering Director

Chris McKeown promoted to Engineering Director at Go-Ahead London

The Go-Ahead Group has appointed Richard Harrington as Group Engineering Director with responsibility for leading best practice in engineering across the company.

Presently Engineering Director at Go-Ahead London, Richard will move to Go-Ahead’s head office to take on the role, effective 1 August 2023. His position at Go-Ahead London will be filled by Chris McKeown, who is promoted from Chief Engineer.

Richard entered the transport industry in 1984 as an apprentice engineer at London Transport. Over the course of his career at Go-Ahead London, he has been responsible for introducing London’s first diesel-hybrid route, the capital’s first electric buses and Europe’s first all-electric bus depot. He is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, the Society of Operations Engineers and the Institute of Road Transport Engineers.

As Group Engineering Director, he will be responsible for overseeing digitisation and engineering performance programs set out in Go-Ahead’s business strategy, The Next Billion Journeys. He will support the group’s fleet and vehicle buying strategies, and he will continue to drive the transition to Zero Emission as head of Go-Ahead’s Zero Emission Centre of Excellence. He will report to Louis Rambaud, Go-Ahead’s Group Strategy and Transformation Director, and he will work closely with the whole Go-Ahead’s engineering community.

Chris McKeown joined Go-Ahead as an engineering graduate in 2005, and has held a number of positions at Metrobus, Brighton & Hove Buses and Go-Ahead London. He has been Chief Engineer since 2012 and has been instrumental in delivering transport for the 2012 Olympics, in the company’s buyout of depots in Northumberland Park, Croydon and Orpington and in the transition to zero-emission vehicles.

“”
Richard Harrington’s knowledge and understanding of engineering is respected throughout the bus industry. He’s pioneered zero-emission technology on the streets of London and we’re pleased that he will be bringing his expertise to the broader Go-Ahead network as we journey towards a decarbonised future.

Louis Rambaud

“”
It is an honour to be offered such an opportunity and after serving Go Ahead London for so many years in a multitude of roles I am looking forward to sharing my experience with my colleagues across the wider Group.

“The challenge of decarbonising our fleet whilst driving efficiency through innovation and collaboration is one of the factors that will determine our success in delivering ‘The Next Billion Journeys’ and I am thrilled to be in a position where I can pick up the momentum of the work already underway and influence the way forward.

Richard Harrington

Dervla McKay appointed Managing Director of Go-Ahead Ireland

03 July 2023

Dervla McKay appointed Managing Director of Go-Ahead Ireland

New MD will oversee 225 buses and 760 colleagues operating services in and around Dublin

Dervla McKay replaces Andrew Edwards, who is moving to Go-Ahead London

Go-Ahead Ireland depot is being expanded to increase capacity

The Go-Ahead Group has appointed Dervla McKay as Managing Director of the group’s bus company in Dublin, Go-Ahead Ireland, which operates services in and around the Irish capital.

Dervla, from Donegal, has extensive experience in bus and coach operation in Ireland and England. She joins Go-Ahead from her role as Managing Director of Aircoach, which runs express coach services across Ireland, and she has held a number of senior roles within FirstGroup since joining as a graduate trainee in 2005.

She will take up the role in the fourth quarter of 2023 and replaces Andrew Edwards, who is moving to Go-Ahead London to become Operations Director of London’s largest bus company after three years at Go-Ahead Ireland.

Based in Ballymount, Go-Ahead Ireland has a fleet of more than 225 buses and employs 760 colleagues, operating 42 routes.

“”
We’re delighted to appoint Dervla McKay to this key role overseeing our successful Irish bus company. She has an excellent track record and knows the bus industry inside out.

“Dervla joins the business at an exciting point. Go-Ahead Ireland is expanding in Dublin and has gone from strength to strength under Andrew Edwards’ leadership. I’d like to thank Andrew for steering our Irish business effectively, and we all wish him well in his new role in London.

Christian Schreyer

Group Chief Executive, The Go-Ahead Group

Go-Ahead Ireland was appointed by the National Transport Authority to begin running services in Dublin in 2018. The company currently runs 30 routes – 25 in the outer Dublin metropolitan area, and five Dublin commuter routes – carrying 14 million passengers per year.

Work is underway on expanding Go-Ahead’s Ballymount depot by 50% in readiness for new routes added under the NTA’s BusConnects network redesign. The company is also a key supporter of Gaelic sports, as title sponsor of the Dublin GAA’s football, hurling and camogie championships.

“”
Go-Ahead Ireland is an ambitious company which delivers great bus services to passengers, and I’m really excited to be taking on this new challenge.

Dervla McKay

Over the last decade, Go-Ahead has expanded from its base in Britain to operate public transport services in six additional countries – rail in Norway and Germany, and buses in Singapore, Ireland and Australia.