Find a transport partner

I'm looking for

in

News Category: People

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 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.

“”
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

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.”

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.

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.

“”
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 Group and Google launch industry-first feature to help customers keep track of spending on bus journeys

05 December 2023

Go-Ahead Group and Google launch industry-first feature to help customers keep track of spending on bus journeys

The Go-Ahead Group, a leading public transport operator, is teaming up with Google to introduce a new feature aimed at enhancing the customer experience for bus travel.

In collaboration with Google and Littlepay, Go-Ahead’s Brighton & Hove Buses is unveiling an industry-first initiative which will simplify the way passengers manage their mobile payments for bus journeys. The new feature, integrated with Google Wallet, will provide customers with greater visibility into their ride history and savings accrued through time-based fare caps.

Up to 80% of Go-Ahead’s passengers pay digitally when they board Go-Ahead’s regional buses – with an increasing number ‘tapping on’ and ‘tapping off’ when they make a journey with the benefit of flexible capping in many areas. Instead of cash, customers are adopting smart cards, contactless and apps to pay for their journeys.

The groundwork for this new scheme was developed between teams at Google and at Go-Ahead’s payment provider Littlepay. Key benefits of this new feature include:

Real-Time Savings Information: Passengers tapping to pay for a bus journey will now quickly see how much they’ve saved through time-based fare caps, providing a clear understanding of the economic benefits of public transportation.

Ride History at Your Fingertips: Google Wallet will display comprehensive ride histories for passengers, allowing them to effortlessly keep track of their bus journeys and savings.

Enhanced Security and Convenience: The collaboration with Littlepay ensures secure and convenient payment transactions, reinforcing Go-Ahead’s commitment to delivering a frictionless travel experience.

The initial rollout of this feature is set to take place at Brighton & Hove Buses, serving as a pilot program to refine and optimise the functionality. Following this debut, Go-Ahead aims to expand the feature to more cities across the UK and beyond, offering passengers an unparalleled level of control and insight into their public transportation expenses.

“”
We are excited to join forces with Google to bring this groundbreaking feature to our passengers. This initiative reflects our commitment to leveraging technology to enhance the customer experience and make public transportation more accessible and user-friendly. We believe this collaboration will set a new standard for the industry, reinforcing our dedication to innovation and customer satisfaction.

Kanwar Brar

Go-Ahead’s Chief Digital and Information Officer

Nick Hill, Commercial Director at Brighton & Hove Buses said: “Most of our passengers are already using digital or contactless payment methods, so it makes sense for us to trial new ways in which we can further enhance the customers’ journey. With 60 million passengers on our buses a year, the customer experience is a top priority”.

“Paying for transit using Google Pay is quick, easy and secure” said Jonathan Hill, Head of Transit Partnerships, Google Pay, “By teaming up with Littlepay and Brighton & Hove Buses we are enabling Google Wallet users to track their spending and progress towards daily, or weekly travel caps. We want to help people feel more in control of their spending and encourage use of sustainable transport”

Paul Griffin, Head of Commercial at Littlepay said: “Being able to communicate in real time with passengers as part of the pay-as-you-go experience is a huge leap forward. This project will benefit riders, giving them visibility of savings made through PAYG. It also gives operators a pathway to develop relationships with PAYG passengers and create a real sense of membership and valued loyalty. Littlepay is delighted to be first to market with Google on this important initiative.”

The Go-Ahead Group looks forward to pioneering this transformative solution, with the goal of making public transportation a more seamless and enjoyable experience for passengers.

From Kyiv to Brighton: Ukrainian evacuee drives buses for Go-Ahead

25 August 2023

From Kyiv to Brighton: Ukrainian evacuee drives buses for Go-Ahead

Former HGV driver is first to complete training under scheme to recruit Ukrainian refugees as bus drivers.

Initiative to hire Ukrainians has been developed in partnership with the Department for Work and Pensions.

A Ukrainian evacuee has begun driving for Go-Ahead’s Brighton & Hove Buses under a government-backed initiative to recruit people displaced by the war.

Volodymyr Syrotiuk worked in a warehouse and drove heavy goods vehicles near Kyiv before the conflict in his home country broke out in 2022. He has since settled in Brighton and has joined the team at Brighton & Hove Buses.

Go-Ahead began taking steps to hire Ukrainians in November last year, when Brighton & Hove and Metrobus invited refugees to an open day in partnership with the Department for Work and Pensions.

Ukrainians receive immediate settled status in Britain and have the right to work straight away. The Government has eased the process of exchanging their Ukrainian driving licenses for British ones, and Go-Ahead has introduced a new company policy and a special training programme to support refugees back into work.

Originally from Ukraine, Volodymyr has faced challenges of displacement and cultural adjustment since moving to the UK but has shown remarkable resilience since joined the team at Brighton & Hove Buses.

 

“”
We’re extremely happy to welcome Volodymyr to the team. As a company we can offer jobs to people from Ukraine who are looking to rebuild a more peaceful life. I hope this is the first of many to come, and that we continue to be able to help more refugees like Volodymyr find work and security in the UK.

Ed Wills

Managing Director of Brighton and Hove Buses

“”
I like it here in the UK, I have my family here and see them quite a lot, I have a daughter that finished university this summer as an architect, it’s made settling into the country easier. I’d encourage my friends from Ukraine to come here, and to seriously consider being a bus driver like me. I get to be in a position where I’m responsible for 80 people for every journey and it’s satisfying.

Volodymyr Syrotiuk

“”
We’re thrilled to hear about Volodymyr’s job start with Brighton & Hove Buses. We met Volodymyr at a Jobs Fair and his positive attitude shone through. We helped Volodymyr to access the Flexible Support Fund for help with the costs of converting his Ukrainian driving license to a British license. At the Jobcentre, we’re all about making a difference and removing barriers to work. By partnering with local businesses like Brighton & Hove buses, we’re able to build a stronger workforce and make a difference in our community.

Eloise Cornish

Employer Advisor Lead at Brighton and Hove Jobcentre

Go-Ahead is named the fifth top apprenticeship employer in the UK, securing its top position in the UK transport industry

30 June 2023

Go-Ahead is named the fifth top apprenticeship employer in the UK, securing its top position in the UK transport industry

Transport operator ranked 5th on the list of the UK’s Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers

The group beats its previous ranking at 13, and secures its position as top apprenticeships employer in the UK transport industry

Go-Ahead is currently training 1,020 apprentices across bus operations, rail operations, and its head office functions

The Go-Ahead Group is proud to be listed the fifth top apprenticeships provider in the UK, in a ranking developed by the Department for Education. The group celebrates after beating its previous ranking by eight places and secures its lead position as top apprenticeship employer in the transport industry – ahead of Stagecoach Group, Southeastern, Cross Country Trains, Hays Travel and Transport UK Group.

The company takes on around 1,020 apprentices annually and its award-winning apprenticeships programme is the biggest in employing apprentices into roles such as bus drivers, train drivers and engineers in the public transport industry.

More than 700 apprentices are presently training to be London bus drivers at Go-Ahead London’s academy in Camberwell – the largest bus operator in London, and further 470 apprentices are in training at Govia Thameslink Railway – the UK’s largest railway network.

Go-Ahead is committed to employing apprentices from diverse backgrounds, currently 65% are from ethnic minority backgrounds, 20% are female apprentices – a number Go-Ahead will continuously aim to improve, and 15% are neurodiverse.

“”
Our Apprenticeships programme has gone from strength to strength. We’re so proud of the results in the rankings – to come in at number five means that we’re moving in the right direction. As we attract the new generation of drivers and engineers, it’s our priority to ensure the programme is forever expanding and will continue to reflect the diverse communities we serve. At Go-Ahead we believe apprenticeships are a great way to begin a career in transport. There are so many opportunities to develop and many of our apprentices have gone on to lead very successful careers.

Carolyn Ferguson

Group Chief People Officer, The Go-Ahead Group

The ‘Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers 2023’ list recognises England’s leading apprenticeship employers for their overall commitment to employing apprentices, their creation of new apprenticeships, the diversity of their new apprentices, and the progression of their apprentices onto further apprenticeships and employment.

From Swindon to Ukraine: Go-Ahead hospital bus presented to ambassador

22 May 2023

From Swindon to Ukraine: Go-Ahead hospital bus presented to ambassador

A bus donated by one of Go-Ahead’s local bus companies has been converted into a field hospital for use in treating casualties of the war in Ukraine.

The bus, which until recently carried passengers in Wiltshire as part of Swindon’s Bus Company, was today presented to His Excellency Vadym Prystaiko, Ambassador of Ukraine to the United Kingdom, in a ceremony outside the House of Lords.

The single-decker vehicle has been fitted with hospital beds and medical equipment for use as a mobile field hospital on the frontline as Ukraine defends its territory following Russia’s invasion.

Seats have been stripped out of the bus to make way for three beds, facilities for heart monitors and drips. The bus has a fresh water tank fitted, bathroom facilities and a portable generator.

The project has been overseen by Swindon Humanitarian Aid Partnership (SHAP), a local charity formed to help the war-torn country. Since Russia’s invasion, SHAP has donated 925 tonnes of aid to Ukraine.

“”
We’re all appalled by the ongoing situation on the ground following Russia’s invasion. I hope this bus will make a small contribution towards Ukraine’s war effort, and towards the treatment of those injured on the front line.

Christian Schreyer

Chief Executive of The Go-Ahead Group

Arrangements are being made for the bus to be transported to Ukraine.

“”
We are indebted to Go-Ahead, and to Swindon’s Bus Company, for the donation of a bus that allowed a group of committed local volunteers to convert a standard public service bus into a mobile medical facility for use in Ukraine. It is hard to comprehend what our Ukrainian friends are having to endure but in the best British tradition all we can do is support them with all our might.

Mike Bowden

Chair of The Swindon Humanitarian Aid Partnership

A number of parliamentarians took part in the handover including Robert Buckland MP (Con, South Swindon),  John Healey (Shadow Secretary of State for Defence), Iain Duncan Smith MP (Con, Chingford), Lord Collins of Highbury (Labour deputy leader in the House of Lords) and David Davis MP (Con, Haltemprice and Howden).

Go-Ahead Norway appoints new Managing Director with extensive railway experience

17 April 2023

Go-Ahead Norway appoints new Managing Director with extensive railway experience

The Go-Ahead Group has appointed Emil Eike as Managing Director of the group’s Norwegian rail business, which operates long-distance and commuter rail routes in the south of the country.

Emil has more than 30 years of experience as a manager from the Armed Forces, the public transport and mobility industry. His track record includes 12 years at NSB, the Norwegian state-owned railway company.

He has also worked as a consultant advising transport companies on strategy, and he is Chairman of Bybanen, the light rail network in Bergen.

“”
Emil combines extensive experience from the railway sector with a focus on innovation and clear leadership. We are in an exciting period where we are working actively to further develop our passenger rail services. In Emil, we have found a skilled leader who can take that development further.

Magnus Hedin

CEO of Go-Ahead Nordic

Go-Ahead employs 300 people in Norway and began operations in December 2019. The company’s operating contract with the Norwegian Rail Directorate runs to December 2027, with the option of a two-year extension to 2029.

 

“”
Trains are a key part of the overall mobility system in Norway and an important contributor to a sustainable society. Together with the skilled and dedicated employees at Go-Ahead, I am really looking forward to being part of this important social mission,” says Emil. “Go-Ahead was also the winner of the first traffic package in Norway, and I have a great appreciation of courageous and innovative organisations.

Emil Eike

Emil will take on the role on May 1st. Magnus Hedin has been filling the position of Managing Director on an interim basis, remains Chair of the Board of Go-Ahead Norwegian rail company.