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News Category: Corporate

Martin Dean appointed Managing Director of Go-Ahead’s regional bus business

08 April 2022

Martin Dean appointed Managing Director of Go-Ahead’s regional bus business

The Go-Ahead Group has appointed Martin Dean to become Managing Director, UK Regional Bus, with responsibility for all its bus companies in the UK outside London.

With more than three decades’ experience in transport, Martin is well suited to his new role and is Chairman of the industry’s trade body, the Confederation of Passenger Transport.

Martin was previously Managing Director – Business Development for Go-Ahead, where he was successful in identifying new business opportunities, both domestically and internationally which included leading the Group’s expansion into Manchester in the UK, Singapore, and the Republic of Ireland overseas.

In his new role, Martin will be responsible for overseeing the performance of Go-Ahead’s UK regional bus companies. This includes Go North East, Go North West, Go South West, Go South Coast, Oxford Bus Company, Metrobus, Go East Anglia, East Yorkshire, and Brighton & Hove Bus Company.

The new appointment is announced as Christian Schreyer, Chief Executive of The Go-Ahead Group, launches the Group’s new business strategy, called ‘The Next Billion Journeys’. It is aimed at delivering profitable, sustainable growth for the company in a changing market for public transport.

Christian Schreyer said: “Martin brings a wealth of expertise after 13 years at the Go-Ahead Group. He understands the industry from top to bottom and he has a track record of success in building and managing bus businesses as well as his wider industry links through CPT. Martin is the ideal person to build on our UK Regional Bus management. I am confident he will help to achieve the priorities set out in the ‘The Next Billion Journeys’ strategy, helping the business to grow and prosper across all UK regions.”

Martin Dean said: “It’s a privilege to take on this role as we encourage more and more people back onto the buses following the pandemic. I’m looking forward to working with the outstanding regional teams across the UK. I’m excited to see what the future brings for UK regional buses especially as we start seeing the benefits of the Government’s investment in zero emission fleets and Bus Service Improvement Plans.”

The Go-Ahead Group sets out a new business strategy, “The Next Billion Journeys”

05 April 2022

The Go-Ahead Group sets out a new business strategy, “The Next Billion Journeys”

The Go-Ahead Group today sets out a new strategy aimed at delivering profitable growth and a sustainable future for the business in a dynamic market for public transport. The strategy follows a business review led by Christian Schreyer, Group Chief Executive.

The company will reinstate its pre-COVID dividend policy of paying a dividend to shareholders equivalent to between 50% and 75% of underlying earnings per share from FY22. The Board intends to recommend a dividend of not less than 50p in respect of the year ending 2 July 2022 (FY22) in line with this policy.

Highlights

New strategy: “The Next Billion Journeys”:
Three strategic priorities have been identified, aimed at delivering profitable and sustainable growth in existing and new markets:

  1. Performance improvement
    • Enhance the basics by focusing on operational excellence, particularly through performance management, standardisation of processes and digitalisation
    • Turnaround underperforming operating companies
    • Reduce the zero-emission breakeven point to accelerate fleet decarbonisation
  2. Grow organically and externally
    • Accelerate passenger recovery and increase modal shift
    • Grow in existing geographies, notably the UK regional bus market, maintain London market share and promote an attractive model for Passenger Service Contracts in the UK rail market
    • Replicate the successful London & International Bus business model in selected international markets, exploring partnership and acquisition opportunities where appropriate
  3. Progress new opportunities by leveraging existing capabilities and resources
    • Explore new urban mass transit modes such as metro, light rail and bus rapid transit
    • Accelerate in B2B, such as airport transport and rail replacement services
    • Explore new services within the mobility value chain with existing capabilities and resources, such as zero emission services, Mobility as a Service (Maas) operation and property utilisation

The group has set the following financial targets:

  • An increase in annual Group revenue to around £4 billion, up by around 30%*, in the medium-term
  • An increase in annual Group operating profit to at least £150 million, in the medium-term
  • Dividend payout between 50% and 75% of earnings per share beginning FY22
  • Adjusted Net debt to EBITDA (pre-IFRS 16) maintained within the existing target range of between 1.5 and 2.5 times

Following the business review, the Group has reaffirmed its commitment to reduce carbon emissions by 75% by 2035.

*excluding recently discontinued operations

“”
This is an exciting moment for Go-Ahead. My review of the business has found fundamental strengths in the business, and has identified areas where we can deliver improvements and sustainable growth. We plan to strengthen, digitalise and decarbonise our operations, delivering greater profitability and stronger returns to investors alongside improvements for our customers and communities.

Transport is at a tipping point as we recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. The importance of mass transport is growing, reflecting trends in climate change, digitalisation, urbanisation and demographics around the world; and there are increasing opportunities for private operators to bring their expertise to public transport markets. Go-Ahead’s core strength is in commuter transport and we see opportunities to grow by encouraging people to leave their cars at home, by winning new contracts and through carefully selected acquisitions.

Today, we’ve set ambitious, but deliverable, targets. It has been a challenging two years for public transport but there is an exciting future ahead for Go-Ahead.

Christian Schreyer, Group Chief Executive

The Next Billion Journeys

Our strategy, The Next Billion Journeys, will focus on three strategic objectives:

  • Improve the performance of the underlying business
  • Grow organically and externally
  • Progress new opportunities

To achieve, these objectives, Go-Ahead’s management team will prioritise five enablers:

  1. Strengthening governance and transparency
  2. Improving digital and data capabilities
  3. Consolidating Zero Emission capabilities
  4. Rebuilding post-Covid confidence with passengers and clients
  5. Enhancing people engagement and collaboration

Performance enhancement

Go-Ahead will enhance the basics of its business by focusing on operational excellence. A new operating model will be introduced for all Go-Ahead’s operating companies to deliver more transparency and to increase the focus on financial performance. This will include drilling down on common cost drivers across bus and rail companies – cost of driving, maintenance, energy, fleet and overheads – to identify and address inefficiencies.

The Group commits to turning around underperforming operating companies overseas and in the UK. We will focus on operational improvements through enhancement and standardisation of processes and digitalisation.

A key priority for the business will be to reduce the breakeven point for zero emission vehicles to accelerate decarbonisation of our fleets. A Centre for Excellence will be established at Go-Ahead London to leverage the group capabilities and improve the zero emission business case and support fleet decarbonisation across the Group.

Grow organically and inorganically

Emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic, Go-Ahead will implement initiatives to accelerate passenger recovery – including leveraging data to analyse new travel patterns and to tailor routes, schedules and ticketing to match passenger needs, plus marketing initiatives to rebuild confidence in public transport.

The Group will work closely with clients and local authorities on efforts to stimulate further modal shift from private cars to public transport, supporting the achievement of local and national climate change targets.

Within existing geographies, Go-Ahead has identified opportunities to grow its UK regional bus business, particularly in the north of England. The Group will maintain its market leading position in the London bus market and seek opportunities to build business-to-business revenue. On UK rail, following the recent signing of a National Rail Contract for GTR, the Group will play a constructive role in supporting the creation of Great British Railway and in shaping future Passenger Service Contracts.

Internationally, Go-Ahead will seek to replicate proven business models – for example, in franchised and contracted bus services – as it has demonstrated successfully in Dublin and Singapore. France, Australia and Sweden have been identified as priority development countries. The Group will consider also moving to selected attractive emerging countries. Go-Ahead will work with local partners on the ground when entering new markets.

The Group will consider selected acquisitions to support its growth agenda and to manage the risk of entering new markets.

Progress new opportunities leveraging existing capabilities and resources

Go-Ahead anticipates growth in provision of business-to-business transport services – for example, airport transport services and rail replacement buses. The Group will explore opportunities in new modes of transport, including metro and light rail and will consider prospects for new services by moving along the mobility value chain such as zero emission services, Mobility as a Service (Maas) operation and property utilisation.

Leadership

Go-Ahead Executive Committee will be reshaped and will comprise the following:

  • Christian Schreyer, Group Chief Executive
  • Sarah Mussenden, Chief Financial Officer
  • Louis Rambaud, Strategy and Transformation Director
  • Scott Maynard, HR Director
  • Patrick Verwer, Managing Director, UK Rail and CEO, GTR
  • John Trayner, Managing Director, London and International Bus
  • Martin Dean, Managing Director, UK Regional Bus

The Managing Directors of Go-Ahead Nordic and Go-Ahead Germany will also report directly into the CEO.

Enhance people engagement and collaboration

Go-Ahead has a renewed purpose, underpinned by strong values. These values will guide the Group’s 27,000 colleagues globally as we work collectively towards a stronger, healthy planet, and a stronger Group. Initiatives will be undertaken to improve diversity and inclusion, to strengthen staff retention and to repurpose group-wide forums at which operating companies exchange expertise and intelligence.

National Rail Contract awarded to Govia Thameslink Railway

25 March 2022

National Rail Contract awarded to Govia Thameslink Railway

The Go-Ahead Group today announces that the Department for Transport (DfT) has awarded a National Rail Contract (NRC) to Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) to continue operating the Thameslink, Southern and Great Northern rail services, the UK’s largest railway network.

Contract highlights

The new contract commences on 1 April 2022 and will run until at least 1 April 2025, with up to a further three years at the Secretary of State’s discretion.

The NRC, like the Emergency Recovery Measures Agreement (ERMA) contract it will replace, is a management contract which has extremely limited exposure to changes in passenger demand and no substantial cost risk to GTR.

GTR will earn a fixed management fee of £8.8m per annum (equivalent to a margin of 0.5% of GTR’s cost base) to deliver the contract, with an additional performance fee of up to £22.9m per annum (equivalent to an additional 1.35% margin).  Subject to the achievement of performance targets set by the DfT, the maximum fee receivable by GTR would therefore be £31.7m per annum (equivalent to a margin of around 1.85%). All figures are on a pre-IFRS 16 basis.

The contract also allows for individual project fees to be earned by GTR on the delivery of additional initiatives as directed by the DfT.

Background
Since 2014, Govia Thameslink Railway has operated Southern, Thameslink, Great Northern and Gatwick Express, which delivered 349 million passenger journeys annually prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. GTR manages 235 stations in London and the south-east of England and employs 7,400 people.

The NRC serves as a bridge to the future Passenger Services Contracts intended to be let and managed by Great British Railways in line with the Williams-Shapps Plan for Rail, announced in May 2021.

During the NRC period, GTR will focus on encouraging more people to return to rail following the pandemic. It will continue to further improve the customer experience, with dedicated funds available for localised station enhancements, for customer and community led projects, and for projects to remove barriers for disabled people at more of its stations. GTR will continue to improve punctuality and reliability through close collaboration with Network Rail.

Building on its already strong environmental credentials, GTR is aiming to become an even greener train operator, working towards phasing out its diesel fleet by 2035, introducing its first zero emission ancillary vehicles in the next 12 months, and aiming to increase recycling rates to 80 per cent over the next three years.   Expanding on its successful apprenticeship programme, GTR will increase apprenticeship opportunities – aiming for 2.5 per cent of its workforce to be new apprenticeship starts. Acknowledging the value of diversity, GTR will set targets aimed to build on its positive work to increase female and ethnic minority representation amongst both train driver recruits and in engineering/technical apprenticeships.

Go-Ahead’s subsidiary, Govia (Go-Ahead 65%, Keolis 35%), has operated GTR since it was created in 2014.  With its industry partners it worked to deliver the Thameslink Programme which has transformed journeys to, through and within London.   More than 1,500 new railway carriages (replacing some of the country’s oldest fleets), over 1,000 station improvement projects and industry leading smartcards and tools, have all been delivered for customers.  Performance has improved with a steady increase in customer satisfaction over a five year period.  Last year Southern was named Passenger Operator of the Year at the National Rail Awards, with Great Northern as runner up.  GTR’s support for the growth and wellbeing of the communities it serves has included a successful partnership with the Prince’s Trust that has enabled rail careers for 120 young people from challenging backgrounds, suicide prevention training for colleagues that has led to a 57% increase in life saving interventions, and the biggest roll out of life saving defibrillators on the UK rail network, with one available at every station.

“”
As the UK’s largest rail operator, I know GTR will play a key role helping the Government continue delivering our Plan for Rail and revolutionise the lives of passengers.

With their plans for improving the punctuality, reliability and accessibility of their services through close collaboration with Network Rail, we are proud to partner with GTR to create a truly passenger focused service

Wendy Morton, Minister for Rail

“”
I’m delighted with today’s announcement. Under this new contract we will build on our achievements in enhancing performance in recent years. We will be working closely and collaboratively with DfT, NR and other partners to run the most reliable service possible, and we will be putting passengers’ interests first.

A top priority is to build passenger numbers back after the COVID-19 pandemic. Go-Ahead will bring commercial acumen and international experience to bear in encouraging people back to the railways.

Christian Schreyer, Go-Ahead CEO

“”
We’re pleased that the hard work of the team at GTR – especially over the difficult past few years – has been recognised. We are particularly heartened by the commitment of an ambitious green agenda and strengthening the business’ passenger centred approach during the contract. We’re proud to be playing our part in the future of Britain’s railways.

Alistair Gordon, Keolis UK CEO

“”
We welcome this positive news, which marks the start of a new era for GTR. I’m incredibly proud of how far we have come, including overcoming two challenging years dominated by Covid. All of this is thanks to the continued focus and passion that GTR colleagues bring to work every day.​

I’m delighted that GTR’s long-standing experience in running the UK’s largest train network, our focus on improving the customer experience and our strong local community relationships have been recognised. This new agreement means we can continue to build on what we have achieved to date as we focus on welcoming more people back to the railway.

Patrick Verwer, GTR CEO

Department for Transport announces financial penalty in relation to London & South Eastern Railway Ltd

17 March 2022

Department for Transport announces financial penalty in relation to London & South Eastern Railway Ltd

Go-Ahead announces that the Department for Transport (DfT) has stated that it has issued a £23.5m penalty notice to London & Southeastern Railway Ltd (LSER) in respect of good faith contraventions of LSER franchise agreements.

In its results for the year ended 3 July 2021, published on 24 February 2022, the Group recognised a provision of £30.0m in its accounts in respect of a potential financial penalty from the DfT in relation to LSER.

The amount payable to the DfT is expected to be settled from LSER’s restricted cash balance.

Go-Ahead expands international bus business into southern Sweden

10 March 2022

Go-Ahead expands international bus business into southern Sweden

The Go-Ahead Group is to begin operating bus services in southern Sweden through a deal to take ownership of a family run bus company, Flexbuss Sverige AB.

Flexbuss provides scheduled bus services, school transport, medical transfer and private hire buses. The company will be integrated into Go-Ahead’s London and International bus division, which operates franchised buses in London, Singapore and Dublin.

All revenue in Sweden will be generated through contracts, without direct exposure to changes in passenger demand. Under Go-Ahead’s ownership, services will continue to be overseen by Flexbuss’s proven and experienced management team.

Flexbuss operates approximately 380 vehicles and employs 600 people. It is expected that the transaction will be completed in April 2022.

Christian Schreyer, Group Chief Executive, The Go-Ahead Group, said: “This is an expansion of our successful London and international franchised bus business into a new territory. It will play to Go-Ahead’s strengths in operating bus contracts on behalf of local authorities, partners and third parties.”

Go-Ahead appoints Chief Financial Officer

09 March 2022

Go-Ahead appoints Chief Financial Officer

Following a thorough selection process, the Board of The Go-Ahead Group plc (“Go-Ahead”) is pleased to announce the appointment of Sarah Mussenden as Group Chief Financial Officer with effect from 9 May 2022.

Gordon Boyd, Interim Group Chief Financial Officer, will remain in the role until the end of March 2022, as previously announced. Mark Ferriday, Group Financial Controller, will report to Christian Schreyer, Group CEO, between Gordon stepping down and Sarah starting her new role.

Sarah, a qualified Chartered Accountant, has extensive experience across multiple sectors, including her present role as Interim Chief Financial Officer at Royal Mail UK.  Previous roles include Chief Financial Officer at Centrica Consumer Services (British Gas), Barts and The London NHS Trust and Financial Director at British Airways. Sarah is a Non-Executive Director and member of the Audit and Risk Committee at The Premier Miton Group plc.

“”
I am delighted to welcome Sarah to Go-Ahead. Her senior commercial business leadership experience, together with her strong financial accounting and audit background, will be particularly valuable as the Group will have completed its business review, led by Christian Schreyer, and moved to the next phase of the Group’s development. She also has worked extensively in transport and regulated businesses, where the customer proposition and the environmental agenda are central to long term sustainable growth.

Clare Hollingsworth, The Go-Ahead Group plc Chair

“”
I am so pleased to be joining the Board of Go-Ahead. Throughout my career I have worked for businesses that have important purposes and add real value to society. Go-Ahead very much fits this description. It’s been a challenging couple of years for the Group but the underlying business is robust and has strong long term prospects. I look forward to working with Christian and the Board to enhance governance and financial control across the Group, whilst also driving to maximise its inherent value.

Sarah Mussenden

Go-Ahead marks International Womens Day by showcasing inspirational women in transport

08 March 2022

Go-Ahead marks International Womens Day by showcasing inspirational women in transport

  • New video spotlights women working across Go-Ahead’s bus and rail operations
  • Hundreds of female apprentices recruited during 2021
  • 40% of train drivers recruited at GTR in 2021 were female

In a video released today, a cross-section of women from across Go-Ahead’s companies business discuss why they love working in transport, and the exciting opportunities they have to progress their own careers in bus and rail.  The video features women from different countries in a variety of roles – with a range from newcomers to the highly experienced.

Cathrine Elgin, managing director of Go-Ahead Norway, said “I was the first female managing director in the Go-Ahead Group.  So there are no barriers.  Just do what you want and if you’re good at it, there’s nothing holding you back”.

Chermaine Russell, a driver with Go-Ahead London, said: “I have recently passed my passenger transport qualification.  I know that whatever I do want to become, I can be it in Go-Ahead”.

Among apprentices at Go-Ahead’s rail division, 37% are women, along with 17% of apprentices at Go-Ahead bus companies – a rate considerably higher than average diversity in an industry which has traditionally been male dominated.  30% of this year’s group graduate intake are female.

Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) successfully doubled the number of female train driver applications from 413 in 2019 to 825 in 2020. 40% of train drivers they recruited in 2021 were females.

Go-Ahead’s initiatives to attract more women to work across the group include creation of an industry leading “Women in Bus” network offering mentoring and support for female bus workers across the country. Go-Ahead has a target of increasing the overall proportion of women in bus from 11% to 20% by 2025.

The company has sought to increase awareness of issues affecting women in the workplace with initiatives including webinars on inclusion, publication of a “little guide to the menopause” and lunch and learn sessions.

Scott Maynard, Group HR Director, said: “For too long, women have been under-represented in the transport industry.  At Go-Ahead, we’re working hard to recruit more women but we know that we need to do more, and to go further. This International Women’s Day, we’re proud to celebrate some of the outstanding women who work for our business.”

Go-Ahead’s International Womens Day video can be viewed here.

Go-Ahead welcomes government funding to build back passengers on local bus services

01 March 2022

Go-Ahead welcomes government funding to build back passengers on local bus services

In response to the Department for Transport’s announcement of a £150 million funding package for local bus and light rail services, The Go-Ahead Group’s Chief Executive, Christian Schreyer, said:

“”
We welcome this funding for local buses, which will allow the industry time to build back passenger numbers. We’ve bounced back well from the Omicron variant, and our buses are carrying about 80% of the number of passengers they had before the pandemic. But working habits have changed, and it will take a little longer for a ‘new normal’ to settle in.

“In time, there are excellent prospects for bus usage to grow across Britain. Funding under the National Bus Strategy for bus lanes and priority schemes will speed up services in towns and cities, making them more attractive to passengers and allowing us to increase frequencies. If Britain is to move towards a net zero future, it is vital that people leave their cars at home and switch to public transport. This short-term finance will go some way towards bridging the gap and will help us build a broader network of successful bus services

Media availability

For an ‘on the ground’ perspective on the Government’s decision today to extend COVID recovery funding to bus operators for a further six months, Ed Wills, Managing Director of Brighton & Hove Buses and Metrobus, is available for interview.

Filming and broadcast opportunities on request.

Please contact Andrew Clark – 07977 343846 / communications@go-ahead.com.

Full year results for the year ended 3 July 2021

24 February 2022

Full year results for the year ended 3 July 2021

Business and finance overview

  • Strong financial performance in Bus and GTR overshadowed by matters relating to London & South Eastern Railway (LSER) and challenges in International Rail
  • Adjusted operating profit of £115.5m (2020: £76.4m restated); statutory loss before tax of £6.9m (2020: £39.5m loss, restated)
  • Maintained strong balance sheet reflecting prudent financial management throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, with adjusted net debt/EBITDA of 1.56x as at 3 July 2021
  • International rail exceptional items: onerous contract and asset impairment provisions of £76.9m recognised in Norway; previous provision in Germany increased to £36.6m and restated in the prior year
  • New Group Chief Executive, Christian Schreyer, joined in November 2021 and additional senior management appointments made

Christian Schreyer, Group Chief Executive, commented:

“”
It’s been a very challenging year for Go-Ahead and our shareholders, for which I apologise on behalf of the Board. I’m pleased to be publishing these results today and I am looking firmly to the future with optimism.

The Group’s operating performance is strong and we are seeing a reassuring recovery in passenger volumes across bus and rail following the impacts of COVID-19 with our trading expectations for 2022 unchanged.

In relation to London & South Eastern Railway, we are optimistic that the outstanding matters will soon be settled with the DfT.

In International Rail, I am confident that we have the right team in place to address the challenging contractual situations we face in those markets.

In my 25 year career in public transport and mobility services, I have never been so proud to be part of the industry as throughout the pandemic. Transport workers all over the world stepped up and kept vital services moving at a time when much of the world appeared to stop.

Go-Ahead’s 27,000 people have demonstrated incredible resilience and commitment through this period, and I have great confidence in my teams around the world to support the next exciting phase for the Group. We see significant opportunities ahead as public transport benefits from trends towards lower carbon travel, urbanisation, digitalisation and demographic change.

I look forward to announcing the conclusions of my business review in the coming weeks.

London & South Eastern Railway

  • The Group ceased operating the Southeastern franchise on 17 October 2021
  • The Department for Transport (DfT)’s decision not to award a National Rail Contract (NRC) to LSER was as a consequence of matters regarding the calculation of profit share payments and treatment of certain overpayments made by the DfT to LSER
  • Notwithstanding the complexity of LSER’s franchise agreements, Go-Ahead accepts that serious errors were made in relation to the LSER franchise with respect to engagement with the DfT over several years and has apologised to the DfT
  • The Board is implementing enhanced corporate governance arrangements, particularly relating to the way in which complex rail operations are overseen

Financial implications relating to LSER

  • Amounts totalling £51.3m (including the previously disclosed £25.0m) have been identified by the Independent Review as being due to the DfT; £49.2m of which has been paid by LSER to the DfT
  • Other commercial negotiations with the DfT are ongoing, with an estimated additional liability of £21.3m
  • The Group is recognising a provision of £30.0m for a potential financial penalty from the DfT

Current trading and outlook

  • Reassuring recovery in passenger numbers; temporary decline following emergence of the COVID-19 Omicron variant reversed; Regional Bus volumes currently around 80 per cent of pre-pandemic levels
  • Discussions ongoing with the DfT regarding a potential NRC for GTR from April 2022
  • Trading across each of the Group’s divisions is in line with previous guidance and the Board’s expectations for the 2022 full year remain unchanged
  • Business review is being undertaken by the new management team, the conclusions of which will be announced in the coming weeks
  • The Board understands the importance of dividends to shareholders and is committed to resuming payments at the
    appropriate time
  • The Group remains in a strong position, underpinned by its well-established market positions, continuing sector-leading operational performance and robust balance sheet. Public transport remains critical to environmental sustainability, economic recovery, the delivery of health and wellbeing outcomes, and keeping communities connected

Go-Ahead coach completes mammoth journey from the Isle of Wight to Zambia

15 February 2022

Go-Ahead coach completes mammoth journey from the Isle of Wight to Zambia

A Go-Ahead vehicle has completed its journey from the Isle of Wight in the UK to Lusaka in Zambia for use in training drivers to ensure public transport journeys are safe across Sub-Saharan Africa.

The Southern Vectis coach – part of Go-Ahead subsidiary Go South Coast – was donated to transport charity Transaid, who provides driving and maintenance training across Africa.

The coach travelled for over a month for 4,900 miles via road and sea. It reached the Lusaka Industrial Training Centre (ITC) in Zambia in December and was officially unveiled at a launch event in February.

The government-backed training centre trains thousands of drivers a year. Transaid trained 1,435 drivers at the ITC between April 2020 and March 2021.

“”
We’re delighted to donate our second vehicle to the Lusaka Training Centre. Our work with Transaid is so important for us to help the wider transport community. Road traffic accidents are the third highest cause of death in Zambia and driver training is vitally important.

Martin Dean,Go-Ahead’s Managing Director for Business Development

This is the second vehicle Go-Ahead has donated to the ITC. The company also donated a Go-Ahead London red single-decker bus in 2019.

Transaid campaigns to transform lives through safe, available and sustainable transport. Part of the charity’s mission is to ensure that every driver should be able to leave for a day’s work without the fear they may not come home because of a lack of training, or dangerous vehicles and roads.

“”
We are incredibly grateful to the Go-Ahead Group for its generous donation to our partner organisation in Zambia. The vehicle will even further enhance standards of training at the ITC, and make a significant impact on the ground.

Caroline Barber, Chief Executive of Transaid

“”
We are delighted to have received the vehicle. The coach is in excellent condition and a delight to see. Our driving instructors, the rest of the ITC staff and students look forward to achieving the very best with it. Thank you all for your effort and contributions towards this achievement.

Lloyd Mbasela, ITC Director