1. History
    Incorporation  1993: Expanding south  1994-95: Floatation and into London  1996: Into rail  1998: Into aviation  2000: Takeover target  2001: More aviation and rail  2002-05: Further airport diversification and South Coast additions  2005-06: Into the Midlands  2006-07: More acquisitions  2008-09: Out of the Midlands  2010: Out of airports, into America  2011-12: More bus operations acquired  2014: Out of America, Thameslink regained  2015-16: Into Germany and Singapore  2017-18: Into Ireland  2018: Into Norway  2019: Into Manchester 

2. Operations
    Bus operations  Current rail franchises  Previous rail franchises 

3. References

4. External links

The Go-Ahead Group plc is a provider of passenger transport in the UK, Ireland, Singapore, and Germany, with over one billion journeys made on its bus and trains services each year. It is a FTSE 250 Index group listed on the London Stock Exchange.

History

Incorporation

The Go-Ahead Group plc began as Go-Ahead Northern Limited in February 1987 on the privatisation of the National Bus Company, when a partial management buyout led by Martin Ballinger and Chris Moyes purchased its Gateshead-based northern division, known as the Northern General Transport Company.^[2] Early expansion saw the acquisition of certain smaller competing bus operators in North East England (principally Gypsy Queen in 1989 and Low Fell Coaches in June 1992). Go-Ahead Northern also became a National Express sub-contractor operating services to the Midlands, North East, North West and South West England.^[3][4] At the same time, Go-Ahead Leisure purchased a number of pubs,^[3] which were sold in February 1996.^[4]

1993: Expanding south

Despite bidding for a number of other larger bus operators in the intervening period, Go-Ahead's first major acquisition was Brighton & Hove in November 1993,^[3][5][6] followed by the Oxford Bus Company and Wycombe Bus Company in March 1994.^[3] In May 1997 the Brighton & Hove operation expanded with the acquisition of the former municipal operator Brighton Transport.^[14] In September 1999 Metrobus, a large operator operating in London, Surrey and Sussex was acquired.^[5][7]

1994-95: Floatation and into London

Initially an unlisted public company owned 90% by management, in May 1994 Go-Ahead was floated on the London Stock Exchange.^[3][8] In October 1994 Go-Ahead purchased London Central during the privatisation of London Buses.^[2][6][9]

In March 1995 OK Motor Services was purchased and integrated into the Go North East operation.^[9][10] In June 1996 a second London bus operation, London General was acquired from the management team that had purchased it when privatised.^[2][4][6]

1996: Into rail

In October 1996 Go-Ahead entered the UK rail market when it commenced operating the Thames Trains franchise which it ran until March 2004. The Thames Trains franchise was awarded by the Director of Passenger Rail Franchising to Victory Rail Holdings. Go-Ahead owned 65% of the shares in Victory Rail Holdings with the remaining 35% held by some ex British Rail managers and employees.^[11] Go-Ahead bought the remaining shares it did not own in June 1998.^[12] Go-Ahead entered into a joint venture with VIA-GTI, taking a 65% stake in Govia. Govia ran the Thameslink franchise from March 1997 until March 2006.^[13]

1998: Into aviation

In October 1998 Go-Ahead diversified into Airport Services with the acquisition of Gatwick Handling International, a provider of ground handling services at UK airports.^[14]

2000: Takeover target

In 2000 French government owned C3D made an unsuccessful takeover bid for the company.^[15] In 2000 Go-Ahead entered two joint ventures with VIA-GTI and BK Tåg to operate rail services in Sweden. Go-Ahead had a 39% stake in City Pendeln AB which was to operate the Citypendeln commuter rail business in Stockholm. Go-Ahead had a 29% stake in Sydvasten AB which operated rail services between Gothenburg and Malmö. Due to problems, Go-Ahead exited both ventures.^[7][16] Wycombe Bus Company was sold to Arriva in December 2000.^[17]

2001: More aviation and rail

Go-Ahead acquired the ground handling operations of British Midland and Midland Airport Services in March 2001 followed by Reed Aviation in August 2001. Along with Go-Ahead's existing Gatwick Handling International operation, all were rebranded as Aviance.^[17] In August 2001 Govia started running the South Central rail franchise. In October 2000 the Shadow Strategic Rail Authority awarded Govia the South Central rail franchise with operations due to commence in May 2003 when the Connex South Central franchise expired.^[18] Govia negotiated a deal with Connex to buy out the remainder of its franchise.^[19][20]

2002-05: Further airport diversification and South Coast additions

In May 2002 Go-Ahead diversified again,^[21] acquiring airport-focused Meteor Parking.^[22] In August 2003 the Wilts & Dorset bus business was purchased.^[23] Included in the purchase of Gatwick Handling International in 1998 was a 50% shareholding in Plane Handling. In August 2004 Go-Ahead purchased the remaining 50% from Virgin Aviation.^[24] In June 2005 Solent Blue Line and Southern Vectis were purchased.^[24] In September 2005 the Lewes and Seaford operations of Stagecoach South were acquired and integrated into the Brighton & Hove business.^[25]

2005-06: Into the Midlands

In December 2005 Go-Ahead purchased The Birmingham Coach Company, which operated express coach under contract for National Express and local bus services in the West Midlands under the Diamond Bus name.^[5][25] Go-Ahead had been known for some time to be keen to begin operating in the area. In February 2006 another operator in the West Midlands, Probus Management Limited, trading as People's Express, was purchased.^[5][25] In August 2006 the Birmingham Coach Company (trading as Diamond Bus) and Probus operations were regrouped under the Go West Midlands Limited legal entity, with the bus operations branded as Diamond in the West Midlands.^[26] In February 2006 the Hants & Dorset Trim bus refurbishment business was purchased.^[25] In April 2006 Govia commenced operating the Southeastern rail franchise.^[27]

2006-07: More acquisitions

In September 2006 Docklands Buses was acquired and integrated into Go-Ahead London followed in October 2006 by Marchwood Motorways that was integrated into Go South Coast.^[28][29]

In December 2006 Gatwick Airport parking operator PAS was purchased and integrated into Meteor Parking followed by security provider Nikaro in February 2007.^[28] In June 2007 Blue Triangle was acquired and integrated into Go-Ahead London.^[28] In September 2007 Northumbria Coaches was purchased and integrated into Go North East, followed by Stanley Taxis in October 2007 and Redby Buses in January 2008.^[30] In November 2007 Govia commenced operating the London Midland rail franchise.^[28] In December 2007 the Orpington services of First London were acquired.^[30]

2008-09: Out of the Midlands

In February 2008 Go-Ahead sold Go West Midlands to Rotala's Central Connect, just two years after purchasing the company.^[30] In June 2008 the Gatwick Express rail service was incorporated into Southern.^[30] In October 2009 East Thames Buses was acquired and integrated into Go-Ahead London as well as the Horsham operations of Arriva Southern Counties that were integrated into Metrobus.^[31] In December 2009 Plymouth Citybus was purchased from Plymouth City Council.^[31]

2010: Out of airports, into America

In January 2010 Go-Ahead sold most of its airport based operations to Dnata UK and Servisair.^[32] In March 2010 Konectbus in Norfolk was purchased as well as the Hexham operations of Arriva North East and integrated into Go North East.^[33] In August 2010 Go-Ahead America, a joint venture with Cook Illinois in which Go-Ahead held a 50% stake, commenced operating a yellow school bus contract in St Louis, Missouri.^[33] In September 2010 Meteor Parking was sold to Vinci SA, bringing Go-Ahead's involvement in the aviation support industry to a close.^[33]

2011-12: More bus operations acquired

In May 2011 Go-Ahead acquired Thames Travel in South Oxfordshire.^[33] Acquired in 2012 were Carousel Buses (March) integrated into Oxford Bus Company, Essex based Hedingham (March), the Northumberland Park-based operations of First London (March), Anglian Bus (April) in Norfolk and Suffolk, and HC Chambers & Son, Suffolk (June).^[34]

2014: Out of America, Thameslink regained

In July 2014, Go-Ahead exited the United States following the loss of its yellow bus contract.^[35][36] In September 2014 Govia commenced operating Thameslink and Great Northern, part of the Thameslink, Southern and Great Northern rail franchise it won as Govia Thameslink Railway.^[37]

2015-16: Into Germany and Singapore

In November 2015, Go-Ahead Germany were awarded two rail contracts in Stuttgart, Germany. The contracts will commence in 2019/20.^[38] In the same month, Go-Ahead Singapore was awarded a contract to operate 25 bus services in Singapore previously operated by SBS Transit out of Loyang Bus Depot, which commenced in September 2016.^[39]

2017-18: Into Ireland

In August 2017, Go-Ahead won a tender to run 24 routes currently operated by Dublin Bus. Go-Ahead Ireland will commence the contract with the National Transport Authority to operate these routes on 9 September 2018.^{[40][41][42][43]} In June 2018 East Yorkshire Motor Services was purchased with over 300 buses.^[44]. In January 2019, Go-Ahead Ireland will commence operating a further six routes between Dublin and it's outlying commuter towns. These were previously operated by Bus Éireann.^[45][46]

2018: Into Norway

In October 2018, Go-Ahead won a tender to run the Oslo south package, consisting of three routes currently operated by NSB. Go-Ahead Norway will commence the contract with the Norwegian Railway Directorate to operate these routes in December 2019.^[47]

2019: Into Manchester

In February 2019, Go-Ahead announced it would buy First Greater Manchester's Cheetham Hill depot with 163 buses and brand it Go North West.^[48][49][50]

Operations

Bus operations

United Kingdom

• Brighton & Hove - bus operation in Brighton and Hove
• Go-Ahead London
  • Blue Triangle - bus operation in Barking; acquired by London General on 29 June 2007
  • Docklands Buses - bus operation in east London; acquired by London General in 2006
  • London Central - bus operation in London, acquired October 1994
  • London General - bus operation in London, acquired June 1996
  • Metrobus - bus operation in Crawley acquired September 1999
• Go North East - bus operation in North East England and the founding company of the Go-Ahead Group in 1987
  • East Yorkshire Motor Services - bus operation in Yorkshire and the Humber
• Go North West - bus operation in Greater Manchester acquired February 2019
• Go South Coast
  • Bluestar - bus operation in Eastleigh, Hythe and Southampton
  • Damory Coaches - bus and coach operator in Dorset, based in Blandford Forum
  • More - bus operation in Bournemouth & Poole (previously Wilts & Dorset).
  • Salisbury Reds - bus operation in Salisbury and Wiltshire (previously Wilts & Dorset).
  • Southern Vectis - bus operation on the Isle of Wight
  • Swindon's Bus Company - bus operation in Swindon, acquired February 2017
  • Tourist Group - a group of coach operators in Salisbury
  • Unilink - Southampton University bus services for students and public
• Hedingham - bus operation in Essex and Suffolk, acquired March 2012
  • Chambers - acquired on 2 June 2012. Managed by Hedingham
• Konectbus - bus operation in Norfolk, acquired March 2010
• Oxford Bus Company - bus operation in Oxford
  • Carousel Buses - bus operation based in High Wycombe. Acquired in March 2012 and managed by Oxford Bus Company.
  • Thames Travel - bus operation in South Oxfordshire; managed by Oxford Bus Company
• Plymouth Citybus - bus operation in Plymouth

Singapore

• Go-Ahead Singapore - bus operation in Singapore

Ireland

• Go-Ahead Ireland - tendered out bus services operating in Dublin

Current rail franchises

The company operates the following franchises through Govia, its joint venture with Keolis:

• Govia Thameslink Railway - due for renewal in 2021, operating under the Southern, Gatwick Express, Thameslink and Great Northern brands
• Southeastern - due for renewal in June 2019^[51]

Previous rail franchises

• Thames Trains October 1996 until March 2004
• Thameslink March 1997 until March 2006 (Govia)
• London Midland November 2007 until December 2017 (Govia)^[52][53]

References

External links

• Company website
• Go-Ahead Verkehrsgesellschaft Deutschland, the German subsidiary
• {{OpenCorp|Go Ahead}}
• Hammock Intelligent ticketing, retail & transport technology

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