Editing FirstGroup (section)

{{Short description|International transport group based in Aberdeen}}
{{EngvarB|date=November 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2019}}
{{Infobox company
| name = FirstGroup plc
| logo = FirstGroup.svg<!--Please wait for www.firstgroupplc.com to rebrand to a new logo, as this IB covers international bus *and* rail operations-->
| type = [[Public limited company|Public]]
| traded_as = {{ubl|{{lse|FGP}}|[[FTSE 250 Index|FTSE 250]] component}}
| foundation = 1 April 1995
| location = {{nowrap|[[Aberdeen]], Scotland, UK}}
| area_served = United Kingdom<br> Ireland
| key_people = Peter Lynas<br>{{small|(Acting Chairman)}}<br> Graham Sutherland<br>{{small|(Chief Executive)}}
| industry = [[Transport]]
| products = Bus, coach, rail & tram
| revenue = {{decrease}} [[Pound sterling|£]]4,715.1&nbsp;million (2024)<ref name=ar>{{cite web |url =https://www.firstgroupplc.com/~/media/Files/F/Firstgroup-Plc/reports-and-presentations/reports/annual-report-2024.pdf|title = Annual Report and Accounts 2024 |publisher = FirstGroup |access-date = 10 February 2025}}</ref>
| operating_income = {{decrease}} [[Pound sterling|£]]46.5&nbsp;million (2024)<ref name=ar/>
| net_income = {{decrease}} [[Pound sterling|£]](9.4)&nbsp;million (2024)<ref name=ar/>
| num_employees = 29,339 (2024)<ref name=ar/>
| parent = 
| subsid = [[#Current operating businesses|See below]]
| homepage = {{nowrap|{{URL|https://www.firstgroupplc.com}}}}
}}

'''FirstGroup plc''' is a British [[Multinational corporation|multi-national]] [[transport]] group, based in [[Aberdeen]], Scotland.<ref name=SC157176>[http://data.companieshouse.gov.uk/doc/company/SC157176 Companies House extract company no SC157176] FirstGroup plc</ref> The company operates transport services in the [[United Kingdom]] and [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]]. It is listed on the [[London Stock Exchange]] and is a constituent of the [[FTSE 250 Index]].<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.londonstockexchange.com/exchange/prices-and-markets/stocks/summary/company-summary.html?fourWayKey=GB0003452173GBGBXSTMM |title = FirstGroup plc Ord 5p |publisher = [[London Stock Exchange]] |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121108051927/http://www.londonstockexchange.com/exchange/prices-and-markets/stocks/summary/company-summary.html?fourWayKey=GB0003452173GBGBXSTMM |archive-date = 8 November 2012}}</ref>

The creation of what became FirstGroup is closely tied to the [[Bus deregulation in Great Britain|deregulation of bus services]] in the United Kingdom during the 1980s. During April 1995, two acquisitive private bus operators, [[Badgerline]] and [[GRT Group|GRT Bus Group]], merged to create FirstBus. The new company initially operated a fleet of 5,600 buses to provide services to numerous regions across England, Wales and Scotland. Throughout the late 1990s, FirstBus continued its policy of growth by acquisition. To this end, it acquired several [[List of former municipal bus companies of the United Kingdom|former council owned operations]] and companies formerly owned by [[National Bus Company (UK)|English, Welsh]] and [[Scottish Bus Group|Scottish]] nationalised operators.

During December 1997, the company was renamed ''FirstGroup'' to reflect its entry into Britain's [[privatisation of British Rail|recently privatised railways]]. Around this time, it had a 24.5% shareholding in [[Great Western Holdings]] that was awarded the [[Greater Western franchise|Great Western]] and [[First North Western|North Western]] franchises, as well as a 100% shareholding in [[First Great Eastern]]. FirstGroup made its first overseas foray in September 1998 via a 26% shareholding in the joint venture [[New World First Bus]] that provided bus services in [[Hong Kong]]. In September 1999, FirstGroup purchased the American company [[Ryder System|Ryder]] Public Transport Services.<ref name="FirstGroup to Buy Ryder Unit">{{cite web |url = http://www.europolitics.info/first-group-to-buy-ryder-unit-artr152628-5.html |title = FirstGroup to Buy Ryder Unit |publisher = Europolitics |date = 8 September 1999 |archive-url = https://archive.today/20130218032807/http://www.europolitics.info/first-group-to-buy-ryder-unit-artr152628-5.html |archive-date = 18 February 2013 }}</ref> During May 2000, it began operating the [[Tramlink|London Tramlink]] concession. During August 2003, FirstGroup purchased [[GB Railways]], which owned [[Anglia Railways]] and [[GB Railfreight]] and held 80% of the shares in [[Hull Trains]].

In February 2007, FirstGroup agreed to buy the US-based bus operator [[Laidlaw]], along with a controlling stake in [[Greyhound Lines]], the largest bus operator in North America. During June 2009, FirstGroup made an unsuccessful takeover bid for rival transport operator [[National Express]]. In June 2010, FirstGroup sold its rail freight business [[GB Railfreight|First GBRf]] to the [[Getlink|Eurotunnel Group]], exiting the rail freight sector as a result. During October 2016, First Transit commenced operating the [[A-train (Denton County Transportation Authority)|A-train]], its first rail operation in the United States. In August 2017, FirstGroup's joint venture with [[MTR Corporation]] commenced operating the [[South Western franchise]], which ended in 2025 following renationalisation. In May 2020, FirstGroup announced it would retain its UK bus operations and sell off its activities in North America. During June 2022, FirstGroup rejected a £1.2bn takeover offer from US private equity company [[I Squared Capital]].