Find a transport partner

I'm looking for

in

News Category: Corporate

Go-Ahead strengthens leadership in zero-emission transport

09 April 2025

Go-Ahead strengthens leadership in zero-emission transport

Go-Ahead, in partnership with the Department for Transport and local authorities, will invest in an additional 45 zero-emissions buses for its operating companies in Hull, Salisbury, Brighton & Hove, Isle of Wight and Plymouth.

Local Transport Minister Simon Lightwood visited the team at East Yorkshire Buses yesterday to hear about their plans to decarbonise the bus network across the region.

Go-Ahead’s zero-emission bus fleet is the largest in the United Kingdom with 1,500 zero-emission buses in operation or on order, demonstrating its commitment and leadership in zero-emission transport. Go-Ahead has received government support for 246 zero-emission buses, with some being introduced into service in the next few months.

Customers of East Yorkshire Buses, Salisbury Reds, Brighton & Hove Buses, Southern Vectis (Isle of Wight) and Plymouth CityBus will enjoy quieter and smoother journeys with the added benefit of knowing their travel is environmentally friendly.

Matt Carney, CEO, Go-Ahead Bus commented: “Our leadership and commitment to zero-emission transport is something we’re extremely proud of at Go-Ahead. We’re very grateful to the Department for Transport and our local authorities for this partnership, which will give more customers access to cleaner, greener public transport across the country.”

Local Transport Minister Simon Lightwood, said: “Our investment will deliver new zero-emission buses to communities across England by 2027. This funding will not only make bus travel cleaner, greener, and more comfortable, but it will also create jobs, support local economies, and accelerate our journey towards a zero-emission future. From Hull to Hove, there’s an electrifying future on the way for our buses.”

Chris Fowler appointed as Managing Director for GTS

02 April 2025

Chris Fowler appointed as Managing Director for GTS

Chris Fowler will take on the role as Managing Director for GTS, the future operator of the Elizabeth line.

GTS is a joint venture between Go Ahead, Tokyo Metro and Sumitomo Corporation and will be responsible for operating the Elizabeth line from 25 May 2025.

Chris joins GTS from Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) where he is Network Operations Director and is responsible for performance on one of the UK’s largest and most complex rail operations.

GTR manages four rail companies and is responsible for almost 20% of all UK rail journeys. It operates over 1 billion journeys every year and is a leader in adopting new technology, including leading the introduction of digital signalling on the UK mainline rail network.

Chris’ experience spans both private and public sectors with his current role split with Network Rail Sussex. He started his career with Transport for London where he held roles including Train Operations Manager and Chief of Staff to Managing Director. He has also served as Customer Services Director at GTR’s Southern Railway and as interim Managing Director for Southern Railway and Gatwick Express.

Patrick Verwer, CEO, Rail, Go-Ahead said: “Chris will make an excellent partner to Transport for London with his knowledge that strong partnership between private and public sector is vital in delivering the best service for customers. His expertise and leadership will help us build on the success of the Elizabeth line as GTS takes on the responsibility for operating the most popular railway in the country, on behalf of TfL.”

Chris Fowler added: “I’m delighted to be appointed as the Managing Director of GTS. The Elizabeth line has already transformed travel in London, becoming the UK’s busiest rail line. It’s a shining example of how investment in our capital’s transport network can drive economic growth and help enrich lives every day; as a proud Londoner, I’m excited for GTS to build on this success. By working with colleagues across the network, we will unlock the line’s full potential as a world-class railway, be a fantastic place to work, and represent London’s position as a global leader in transport.”

Chris Fowler

Go-Ahead strengthens rail team in Australia and New Zealand

06 March 2025

Go-Ahead strengthens rail team in Australia and New Zealand

Go-Ahead has appointed Michael Contreras as Executive Director, Rail Operations, Australia and New Zealand.

Michael has extensive experience leading large-scale public transport operations and joins from the Department of Transport & Planning, Victoria, Australia where he was Director of Operations & Performance. He spent over twelve years at Metro Trains Melbourne in key senior roles, such  as General Manager, Network Operations

Go-Ahead has recently opened a new office in Melbourne, to explore rail opportunities in Australia and New Zealand where it can apply its knowledge of operating large and complex rail operations for millions of customers.

Go-Ahead operates billions of rail journeys each year for customers in the UK and the Nordics and will soon take over operations of the iconic Elizabeth line in London, the new flagship railway network in London, and Stockholm Metro, the largest public transport contract in continental Europe.

Patrick Verwer, CEO, Rail, Go-Ahead said: “Michael joins Go-Ahead at a very exciting time and we’re delighted to welcome him to the team. We’re growing our rail operations with the Elizabeth Line and Stockholm Metro and excited to assess new opportunities in Australia and New Zealand.”

Go-Ahead opens a new office to target rail opportunities in Australia and New Zealand

17 February 2025

Go-Ahead opens a new office to target rail opportunities in Australia and New Zealand

Go-Ahead has opened a new office in Melbourne to explore rail opportunities in Australia and New Zealand, where it can apply its knowledge of operating large and complex rail operations for millions of customers.

Go-Ahead operates billions of rail journeys each year for customers in the UK and the Nordics. It has established itself as a trusted partner, working on complex operations to deliver reliable, punctual and welcoming rail services.

In the UK, Go-Ahead is one of the largest rail operators. Through Govia Thameslink Railway, which manages four rail companies in the south of England, it is responsible for almost 20% of all UK rail journeys. It operates over 1 billion journeys every year and is a leader in adopting new technology, including leading the introduction of digital signalling on the UK mainline rail network. From May 2025, Go-Ahead will take over the operation of the iconic Elizabeth line in London, the new flagship railway network in London that has quickly become one of the most popular and fastest growing railways in the country, serving more than 700,000 customers a day.

Go-Ahead is also expanding its rail operations in the Nordics, where it already runs services in Norway. Later this year, Go-Ahead will start operating Stockholm’s Metro network, as part of the largest public transport contract in continental Europe, serving 350 million passengers annually.

Piero McCarthy has been appointed as Business Development Director for Go-Ahead Rail, Australia and New Zealand. Piero brings twenty years’ worth of industry experience and has held senior business development roles at Go-Ahead and led operations within the UK’s largest rail franchise, Govia Thameslink Railway.

Patrick Verwer, CEO, Rail, Go-Ahead said: “We have ambitious plans to build on our recent success and continue to grow our rail operations. We’re excited about exploring opportunities in Australia and New Zealand where we can apply our experience of operating busy, complex transport networks.”

Go-Ahead expands West of England operations with acquisition of Swanbrook Transport

25 November 2024

Go-Ahead expands West of England operations with acquisition of Swanbrook Transport

• Coach operator to become part of Go-Ahead’s Pulhams Coaches operation
• Deal adds to Go-Ahead’s expanding network of UK coach operators

The Go-Ahead Group has agreed a deal to acquire Swanbrook Transport, a bus and coach operator based in Cheltenham.

Swanbrook operates local bus, home to school services and private hire and will become part of Pulhams Coaches, which sits in Go-Ahead’s Oxford division.

This latest deal builds on Go-Ahead’s recent acquisitions across England, including four coach companies across West and North Yorkshire, and the North East which further strengthens its service offering for schools, businesses, private hire and local authority partners.

Go-Ahead is now one of the largest coach operators in the UK with over 400 coaches from the South West to the North East, integrating its network with existing bus operations.

“”
Pulhams Coaches already has an excellent reputation in the Cheltenham area as both a local bus operator, and as specialist providers of coach services. Our acquisition of another reputable operator in the area in Swanbrook is an exciting opportunity to provide an even greater range of services locally and integrate it with our existing network.

Luke Marion

Managing Director of the Oxford Bus Company

“”
We’re delighted to welcome Swanbrook to the Go-Ahead Group, and to grow our presence in the UK coach market. As a company, we’re committed to connecting communities, so providing coach services across the country for schools, groups, small business and local authority partners is important to us. This is an exciting expansion of our coach operation to provide for more customers in the West of England.

Matt Carney

CEO – Go-Ahead Bus

“”
We are excited by the opportunities that joining such a prestigious group in Pulhams and Go-Ahead will bring to the company. Having established our business as a well respected operation in the local area we believe this is the natural progression for the business to further develop and be well equipped to meet the challenges of the industry for the future.

John Thomas

Operations Director, Swanbrook Transport Ltd

New appointments to the Go-Ahead Group Board

19 November 2024

New appointments to the Go-Ahead Group Board

The Go-Ahead Group, the UK’s leading international bus and rail public transport operator, is pleased to announce the appointment of Sharon Flood as an independent non-executive director, further strengthening its leadership team and enhancing governance.

Sharon joined the Board in October as non-executive director and chair of the audit committee, bringing a wealth of expertise in finance, strategy, and consumer-focused businesses, alongside deep industry knowledge. Her skills and experience will reinforce Go-Ahead’s governance framework. Sharon’s distinguished career includes executive and non-executive roles, and she currently serves on the boards of Getlink SA, where she chairs safety and security, CityFibre Ltd where she chairs audit and Scottish Mortgage Investment Trust PLC. She has also been a non-executive director at Network Rail, where she served as chair of the audit committee/treasury and chair of environmental sustainability.

Additionally, Mackayla Hanney, Chief Commercial Officer at Kinetic, was appointed to the Board earlier this year as director representing Kinetic, a major shareholder of the Go-Ahead Group. Mackayla has led significant growth initiatives at Kinetic, including the acquisition of Go-Ahead and New Zealand’s Go Bus. She brings valuable commercial expertise and a proven track-record in strategic M&A, tender processes, and stakeholder engagement, which supports Go-Ahead’s growth aspirations in the UK and internationally.

With the recent appointments of Sharon and Mackayla, together with Louise Cheeseman, the Board of Go-Ahead has reached 40% female representation, further enriching its sector expertise while enhancing its commitment to diverse, robust governance.

“”
We are delighted to welcome Sharon and Mackayla to their new roles on the Board of the Go-Ahead Group. Their extensive knowledge and experience will be invaluable for us as they will play a vital role in supporting our management team to deliver its strategic plan of growth, achieving our ambitious decarbonisation and equality targets, and most importantly, delivering on our mission of connecting people and communities around the world.”

Miguel Parras

Group CEO, Go-Ahead

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