Go-Ahead appoints Peter Robinson to oversee business development

Go-Ahead appoints Peter Robinson to oversee business development

The Go-Ahead Group has appointed Peter Robinson to become Managing Director, Business Development, with responsibility for UK & international business development activities including mergers and acquisitions.

The role will be instrumental in the delivery of Go-Ahead’s recently announced business growth strategy, The Next Billion Journeys. It will involve working with Go-Ahead’s operating companies to develop the group’s position in existing markets, as well as leading on expansion into new markets.

Peter joined Go-Ahead as graduate trainee in 2004 and has worked across rail and bus, including overseeing the morebus brand in Dorset and Hampshire. He moved to Steer, the transport consultancy, worked for the Olympic Delivery Authority and completed an MBA at IMD in Switzerland before re-joining Go-Ahead in 2016. Since then he has been instrumental in the Group’s expansion into Manchester and the Republic of Ireland.

The appointment, with immediate effect, follows Martin Dean’s move to become Managing Director of Go-Ahead’s UK Regional Bus business.

“”
Peter is a good example of home grown talent at the Go-Ahead Group. He understands the business as an operational leader and he has a track record of success in winning and developing profitable business for us. I am confident he will help us to achieve the priorities set out in the ‘The Next Billion Journeys’ strategy, helping the business to grow and prosper across the UK and internationally.

Christian Schreyer, Go-Ahead’s Group Chief Executive

“”
It’s a privilege to follow in the footsteps of Martin Dean to lead the talented group of individuals in business development. I firmly believe the Go-Ahead business model, with its focus on local decision making, can bring further value to our home market as well as the wealth of growing markets around the world. I look forward to continue working with our teams around the world to support this growth.

Peter Robinson, Managing Director, Business Development

Mental health first aiders provide valuable support to Go-Ahead transport workers

Mental health first aiders provide valuable support to Go-Ahead transport workers

  • Mental health first aiders at each Go-Ahead bus company trained to provide reassurance and support
  • Regional bus and rail companies undertake community initiatives to mark mental health week
  • Brighter Journeys campaign aims to lift the spirits of travellers across national rail

Mental health champions at each of Go-Ahead’s ten UK regional bus companies have been trained to spot triggers, reassure people in distress, and advise colleagues on how to access support.

The initiative, which began in 2020 at Brighton & Hove and Metrobus, is intended to break any remaining stigma surrounding mental health.

For example, Michelle Galvin, mental health first aider at Go Northwest in Manchester, supported a bus driver who, after several family bereavements, was struggling to continue with his day-to-day duties. Go-Ahead provided counselling and directed the driver towards Able Futures, a support partnership.

Approximately 80 colleagues across the Group have now undergone this training since its launch and there are current plans to offer further training to a new cohort.

During Mental Health Awareness Week 2022 (9 – 15 May), a number of Go-Ahead companies are holding events to raise the profile of mental health challenges.

  • In East Anglia, Go-Ahead’s Chatty Bus campaign will be mobilised to help both passengers and transport colleagues to tackle loneliness.
  • Go-Ahead London, the capital’s largest bus operator, will be supporting colleagues through its Employee Assistance Program. The program provides practical information, resources, and counselling to help employees balance work, family, and personal life.
  • Brighton and Hove Buses will be taking a bus to the University of Brighton to assist students with any issues they may be experiencing regarding mental health.
  • The Oxford Bus Company is launching a Brand the Bus campaign with Restore, a mental health delivery group.
  • Meanwhile, Govia Thameslink Railway is supporting Brighter Journeys, an industry-wide campaign run by Network Rail alongside a mental health charity, Chasing the Stigma, intended to lift the spirits of passengers, and ease anxiety, as they resume rail travel after the pandemic. Passengers at Stevenage and East Croydon stations will see nature and sensory installations as they head to work or for days out with family. Volunteers will signpost them to the Hub of Hope app connecting people to more than 4,000 mental health support services.

The demographics of the transport industry poses particular challenges in tackling mental health. Four-fifths of Go-Ahead’s workforce is male, although initiatives are in place to encourage more women to consider careers in transport. Men are more likely than women to have lower levels of life satisfaction and are less likely to access mental health support.

“”
At Go-Ahead, we want to make sure that everybody within our business is properly supported. There must be no stigma around mental health, and we want to make sure that everybody knows that help is at hand when they need it. Our mental health first aiders are a great support for anyone facing difficulties and are always available. Even some of our customers are benefiting from the skills our first aiders have gained through mental health training. We will continue this support for as long it is needed as it has proven to be a success.

Sam Facey, Go-Ahead’s Head of Safety

Bus fares cut across Cornwall as Go-Ahead delivers trailblazing low fares pilot

Bus fares cut across Cornwall as Go-Ahead delivers trailblazing low fares pilot

  • Ticket prices across Cornwall cut by between 20% and 40% from April 10
  • Government-backed scheme will measure impact on travel habits across the county over four years
  • Visitors to Cornwall will benefit from cheaper buses in tourist areas this summer

Ticket prices on buses operated by Go-Ahead Group in Cornwall have been cut by up to 40% under a Government-backed pilot scheme, “Make Big Savings By Bus”, to persuade motorists to leave their cars at home.

Beginning on April 10th, a four-year scheme will measure the extent to which lower fares can stimulate a change in travel behaviour by kick-starting growth in bus use. Transport for Cornwall has set a goal of increasing bus usage by 10% across the county.

The initiative, funded by Transport for Cornwall using a £23.5 million grant from the Department for Transport, stretches the length of Cornwall, from the River Tamar to the Land’s End peninsula, taking in towns and cities including Truro, Newquay, Redruth, Falmouth, Camborne, St Ives and Penzance.

Go Cornwall Bus is the county’s largest bus operator, operating over 100 routes carrying 90,000 passengers per week. Go-Ahead has invested £25 million in rural transport services in the county since entering Cornwall in 2020.

The pilot scheme follows an “any ticket, any bus” initiative making tickets interchangeable between Cornwall’s bus companies. It is consistent with goals under the Government’s National Bus Strategy to encourage partnership working between operators and local authorities, and to promote the social, economic and environmental benefits of bus usage.

Fares under the scheme will include:

  • £2.50 a day or £10 a week for adults within Cornish Towns
  • £5 a day or £20 a week for adults for travel across Cornwall
  • Adult singles from £1.60, returns from £2.40
  • Family ticket for £10 a day, up to 2 adults and unlimited children under 16
“”
Baroness Vere, the Buses Minister, said: “The launch of this excellent scheme across Cornwall is a significant moment in our ambition to level up transport links across the country. Backed by a £23.5m Government investment, we want to place Cornwall at the leading edge of a national bus revolution, which will underpin our drive towards net-zero, increase connectivity between communities and provide relief at the ticket booth at a time when finances are tight.”

Mark Anderson, Go-Ahead’s Customer and Commercial Director, said: “With petrol prices soaring, this is a timely initiative aimed at persuading motorists to switch to buses in a largely rural part of England. It’s a win-win both for locals all year round and for visitors, who will be able to take cheaper buses to Cornwall’s spectacular beaches this summer.

“To become carbon neutral as a country by 2050, we need to encourage people to switch from car to bus. Investment in fares is a useful tool alongside bus priority schemes, flexible ticketing and digital payments to make journeys as swift and easy as possible.”

Steve Double, MP for St Austell and Newquay, said: “Cheaper bus journeys will help Cornish young people get to school or college and will make it easier to access jobs for those living in rural areas, something which can be a barrier to getting and keeping work for so many. This trailblazing initiative is incredibly welcome and I’m delighted to see Cornwall once again leading the way with an innovative scheme as a rural area, leading the charge nationally in the Government’s goal of levelling up and encouraging more people to travel by bus.”

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

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”

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

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

Go-Ahead appoints Chief Financial Officer

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

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

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.

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

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