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News Category: Bus

Go-Ahead trials new approach to accelerate the transition to greener buses

17 March 2025

Go-Ahead trials new approach to accelerate the transition to greener buses

Go-Ahead, a leading zero emission bus operator, has launched a new trial to convert diesel buses to electric vehicles.

In partnership with Transport for Greater Manchester, Go North West has worked with WrightBus to retrofit a diesel bus, speeding up the decarbonisation process and extending the longevity of the bus.

The converted bus is part of Transport for Greater Manchester’s Bee Network, the UK’s first franchised bus operation outside London where Go-Ahead is already operating 69 zero emission buses from its Bolton depot.

This forms part of Go-Ahead’s commitment for a fully zero-emission bus fleet by 2035. As well as almost 1,000 zero emission buses, Go-Ahead operates electric depots across the country, including the award-winning fully electric garage in Waterloo and the largest electric bus depot in the UK, in Northumberland Park. Go-Ahead also operates buses that use alternative fuel, such as hydrogen buses.

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Last year we made an investment of half-a-billion pounds to deliver more than 1,000 additional zero emission buses with WrightBus. Additionally, in partnership with Transport for Greater Manchester, we’re seeing how we can decarbonise our existing buses using NewPower. Our partners WrightBus and Transport for Greater Manchester have been excellent to work with and we’re excited about the potential this technology provides. We’re committed to working with Transport for Greater Manchester to achieve net zero across their Bee Network.

Martin Dean

Managing Director, UK Regional Bus, Go-Ahead

From graduate to leading Go-Ahead’s Fastrack operations

19 December 2024

From Graduate to leading Go-Ahead’s Fastrack operations

Go-Ahead has appointed Isobel Hedley-Jones as its new Head of Fastrack Operations, effective from 1 January 2025.

Isobel first joined Go-Ahead London in 2021 as a graduate and has since worked in operations and business development working on Go-Ahead’s bid for Fastrack, before time in Australia as part of the bus mobilisation team for U-Go Mobility.

She has since managed the company partnership with Kent County Council for Fastrack before joining the mobilisation team in January 2024.

Commenting on her appointment to the role, Isobel Hedley-Jones said: “I’m proud to be taking on this role for Go-Ahead and to continue to build on our positive relationship with Kent County Council, our client for the Fastrack network. I’m looking forward to leading our brilliant team to ensure we deliver the highest standard of service possible for the communities we serve across Kent”.

Martin Dean, Managing Director of UK Regional Bus, Go-Ahead Group said: “We’re extremely pleased to appoint Isobel to this role, her knowledge and experience has developed rapidly since she first joined Go-Ahead as a graduate in 2021 – this appointment is also a testament to her hard work”.
He added: “We are determined to build an inclusive working environment and Isobel’s appointment demonstrates our commitment to supporting and developing the growth of more women leaders in our business”.

Go-Ahead started operating the Fastrack contract in November, which will run for 15 years and is worth £110 million, and is part of the company’s UK regional bus portfolio.

Go-Ahead’s bus operators announced as winners at UK Bus awards 

29 November 2024

Go-Ahead’s bus operators announced as winners at UK Bus awards

Go North West, part of the Go-Ahead Group, won the Recruitment and Retention Category award at yesterday’s UK Bus Awards for their Elite Driver Recruitment campaign.

They developed a fresh approach to recruitment and retention by changing perceptions of bus driving to attract new talent, making substantial investments in the entire recruitment process, involving their training academy, mentors, the recruitment team, a revamped six-week training course, successfully tripling the number of trainers.

Brighton & Hove Buses and Metrobus won the Culture Change award. Their winning submission dealt with investing in a variety of wholly dramatised full-day CPC courses, including one on understanding customer needs and expectations.

Martin Dean, Managing Director UK Regional Bus with the Go-Ahead Group, said “I am delighted that Go North West have won this prestigious award for their bold approach to recruitment and retention, ensuring a 600% increase in applications, seven times as many drivers in training, 80% of applicants new to the industry, and a tripling in the number of women drivers they previously employed – representing the communities we serve

He added: “I am equally delighted for the team at Brighton & Hove Buses and Metrobus for their culture change award. From the outset, colleagues are introduced to the company and the wide range of roles available, ensuring everyone’s valued. By celebrating the great work everyone in the depot and on the road undertakes, we are delighted to celebrate the positive impact this has on our customers.”

Victoria Garcia MBE wins Route One Special Award

14 November 2024

Victoria Garcia MBE wins Route One Special Award

Victoria Garcia MBE from Brighton and Hove Buses and Metrobus, part of the Go-Ahead Group, was recognised with the Special Award at last night’s Route One awards ceremony in Birmingham.

The Special Award is a unique accolade determined solely by the judges and awarded to an individual who has made an exceptional contribution to the industry, deserving of special recognition.

Victoria has shown great determination to push boundaries to improve accessibility and inclusion for all bus users. She is recognised as the go-to professional for accessibility in the industry.

Her transformational work includes working in partnership with the Alzheimer’s Society to deliver dementia friendly flooring and seating to enable those customers with dementia to have confidence to travel safely and more often.

Recently she partnered with the Thomas Pocklington Trust, the Sight Loss Council and the Driving Vehicle Standards Authority (DVSA) to develop the national and local bus and coach operators training materials to improve driver awareness of customers with visual impairments, building confidence in their use of buses, and drive equity and inclusion for all.

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I am delighted that Victoria’s achievements have been deservedly recognised at the Route One awards. Working with our customers and in our communities is so important for us as a business and her compassionate approach, along with her proactive engagement in community initiatives, and commitment to fostering an increasingly inclusive environment are an invaluable resource for the continued growth and success of all our bus companies and the customers we serve.

Matt Carney

CEO, Go-Ahead Bus

Go-Ahead mobilises 15-year Fastrack contract

12 November 2024

Go-Ahead mobilises 15-year Fastrack contract

More than 2.5 million people annually travel on the rapid transit network in the Dartford, Ebbsfleet & Gravesend areas

Services operate on dedicated busways delivering reliable and punctual services for communities

The Go-Ahead Group has successfully mobilised operations on the Fastrack network across North Kent under a 15-year contract in an agreement with Kent County Council that is worth £110 million.

Operations will commence with an interim diesel fleet before transitioning to a fleet that will be fully electric and in operation by Spring 2025. 28 zero-emission ‘tram-like’ buses will take to the streets of Kent, with on-street charging infrastructure to provide power to buses through the day.

The Fastrack network provides customers with a frequent ‘turn up and go’ service, connecting people to jobs, education, healthcare and shopping in an area of rapid economic growth which is undergoing significant regeneration.

With more than 2.5 million trips annually, reliable and punctual journeys are vital. The routes have dedicated traffic free lanes to get customers where they want, minimising delays.

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It’s been a breath of fresh air working with Go-Ahead on delivering the next generation of Fastrack. Putting the customer first has been our shared ambition on this journey and so much has been achieved in a relative short space of time. This new operational focus and extended service is just the first step of the new look Fastrack and we remain on course to deliver the full Electric Fastrack network in 2025, bringing our full investment to life.

Shane Hymer

Fastract Development Manager, Kent County Council

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We’re pleased to be working in partnership with Kent County Council to manage and operate the Fastrack network. We’re ready to make a difference for the customers and communities who will rely on our services and look forward to introducing a transformational zero-emission fleet with all new buses set to be operational by Spring 2025, benefitting our customers and the environment.

Martin Dean

Managing Director for UK Regional Bus, Go-Ahead Group