Editing Go-Ahead Group (section)

=== Since 2011 ===
====Acquisitions====
[[File:20190918-Oxford-Bus-839.jpg|thumb|An [[Oxford Bus Company]] Mercedes Citaro in Wolvercote]]
In May 2011, Go-Ahead acquired [[Thames Travel]] in [[South Oxfordshire]].<ref name=AnnualReport2011/> Acquisitions in 2012 were [[Carousel Buses]] (March) integrated into [[Oxford Bus Company]], Essex-based [[Hedingham & Chambers|Hedingham]] (March), the [[Northumberland Park, London|Northumberland Park]]-based operations of [[First London]] (March), [[Anglian Bus]] (April) in [[Norfolk]] and [[Suffolk]], and [[Hedingham & Chambers|HC Chambers & Son]], Suffolk (June) (immediately operationally merged with Hedingham).<ref>[http://www.go-ahead.com/~/media/Files/G/Go-Ahead/ir/result_centre/2012result/ar-2012-v2.pdf Go-Ahead Annual Report 30 June 2012] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121012223148/http://go-ahead.com/~/media/Files/G/Go-Ahead/ir/result_centre/2012result/ar-2012-v2.pdf |date=12 October 2012 }} Go-Ahead Group</ref>

In March 2012, the [[Department for Transport]] announced that Go-Ahead, along with [[Abellio (transport company)|Abellio]], [[FirstGroup]], [[MTR Corporation|MTR]], and [[Stagecoach Group|Stagecoach]], had been shortlisted for the newly created [[Thameslink, Southern & Great Northern franchise]].<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.dft.gov.uk/news/press-releases/dft-press-20120329// |title = Bidders to oversee improvements on rail franchises announced |publisher = Department for Transport |date = 29 March 2012}}</ref> During May 2014, Govia was awarded the new franchise.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.railnews.co.uk/news/2014/05/23-firstgroup-chosen-for-new-thameslink.html |title=Govia chosen for new Thameslink contract |publisher=Railnews |date=23 May 2014 |access-date=23 May 2014}}</ref><ref name="newTLrtm">{{cite news |url=http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/govia-wins-tsgn-franchise-beating-firstgroup |title=Govia wins TSGN franchise, beating FirstGroup |work=Rail Technology Magazine |publisher=Cognitive Publishing |date=23 May 2014 |access-date=23 May 2014}}</ref> This franchise is unusual as a management contract where fare income does not go to GTR, which is simply paid a fee for operating the service, so GTR carries less revenue risk. This form of franchise was chosen because of long-term engineering works anticipated around London, which would be a significant challenge to organise within the normal form of franchise.<ref name="argus-20160618">{{cite news |url=http://www.theargus.co.uk/news/14565751.Fines_issued_to_rail_provider_GTR_for_poor_performance_slammed/ |title=Fines issued to rail provider GTR for poor performance slammed |author=Ben James |newspaper=The Argus |date=18 June 2016 |access-date=20 June 2016}}</ref><ref name="guardian-20160708">{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/jul/08/all-aboard-southern-trains-disaster-commuters-caught-in-war-on-rails |title=All aboard the Southern chaos train: the commuters caught in a war on rails |first=Simon |last=Usborne |newspaper=The Guardian |date=8 July 2016 |access-date=8 July 2016}}</ref>

====Expansion into Europe and Singapore====
[[File:Volvo B9TL SG5053C.jpg|thumb|[[Volvo B9TL]] in Singapore in June 2016]]
During November 2015, [[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 on 4 September 2016.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/british-operator-go-ahead-group-wins-second-government-bus-contract |title= British operator Go-Ahead Group wins second Government bus contact |work= [[The Straits Times]] |date= 23 November 2015 |access-date= 23 November 2015}}</ref> In the same month, [[Go-Ahead Germany]] were awarded two rail contracts in [[Stuttgart]], Germany. The contracts commenced in 2019{{ndash}}2020.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/passenger/single-view/view/go-ahead-and-abellio-win-stuttgart-passenger-operating-contracts.html |title = Go-Ahead and Abellio win Stuttgart passenger operating contracts |publisher = [[Railway Gazette International]] |date = 17 November 2015 |access-date = 26 November 2015 |archive-date = 18 June 2018 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180618044003/http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/passenger/single-view/view/go-ahead-and-abellio-win-stuttgart-passenger-operating-contracts.html |url-status = dead }}</ref>

In August 2017, Go-Ahead won a tender to run 24 routes in [[Ireland]] previously operated by [[Dublin Bus]]. [[Go-Ahead Ireland]] commenced the contract with the [[National Transport Authority (Ireland)|National Transport Authority]] to operate these routes on 9 September 2018.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.nationaltransport.ie/news/nta-announces-go-ahead-preferred-bidder-bus-routes-dublin/ |title = NAT Announces Go-Ahead as preferred bidder for bus routes in Dublin |publisher = National Transport Authority |date = 10 August 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.goaheadlondon.com/news/post/go-ahead-group-awarded-outer-dublin-metropolitan-area-bus-contract |title = Go-Ahead Group awarded Outer Dublin, Metropolitan Area bus contract |publisher = Go-Ahead London |date = August 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/dublin-bus-loses-control-of-24-bus-routes-serving-suburbs-1.3182303 |title = Dublin Bus loses control of 24 bus routes serving suburbs |publisher = [[The Irish Times]] |date = 10 August 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.go-aheaddublin.ie/newsroom-2/go-ahead-ireland-opens-new-depot-dublin/ |title = Go-Ahead Ireland Opens New Depot in Dublin |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180712214518/https://www.go-aheaddublin.ie/newsroom-2/go-ahead-ireland-opens-new-depot-dublin/ |archive-date=12 July 2018 |publisher = Go-Ahead Ireland |date = 9 July 2018}}</ref> In June 2018, [[East Yorkshire (bus company)|East Yorkshire Motor Services]] was purchased with over 300 buses.<ref>{{cite web |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180620023458/https://www.eyms.co.uk/bus-services/news-item?id=1507 |archive-date=20 June 2018 |url = https://www.eyms.co.uk/bus-services/news-item?id=1507 |title = Go-Ahead Welcomes East Yorkshire Motor Services |publisher = East Yorkshire Motor Services |date = 18 June 2018}}</ref> In January 2019, Go-Ahead Ireland commenced operating a further six routes between [[Dublin]] and its outlying commuter towns, previously operated by [[Bus Éireann]].<ref>{{cite magazine |title = Go-Ahead awarded Dublin Commuter Routes |magazine = [[Coach & Bus Week]] |issue = 1334 |date = 20 March 2018 |page = 8}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180611101107/http://www.route-one.net/articles/Contract_win/Go_Ahead_wins_second_Dublin_contract |archive-date=11 June 2018 |url = http://www.route-one.net/articles/Contract_win/Go_Ahead_wins_second_Dublin_contract |title = Go-Ahead wins second Dublin contract |publisher = Route One |date = 20 March 2018}}</ref> By 2022, the National Transport Authority indicated that it was not satisfied with Go-Ahead's performance, but extended the contract to October 2024 on the basis that it would be too disruptive to bus services to re-tender the contract.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kelly |first1=Olivia |title=Go-Ahead bus contract extended despite complaints and dissatisfaction with service |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/transport/2022/10/31/go-ahead-bus-contract-extended-despite-complaints-and-dissatisfaction-with-service/ |access-date=6 February 2025 |newspaper=The Irish Times |language=en}}</ref> Go-Ahead has been penalised by the National Transport Authority for failing to meet minimum performance standards in 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Burns |first1=Sarah |title=Bus operators hit with €5m in penalties amid fresh complaints over 'ghost buses' |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/transport/2025/02/06/bus-operators-hit-with-5m-in-penalties-amid-fresh-complaints-over-ghost-buses/ |access-date=6 February 2025 |newspaper=The Irish Times |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Kelly |first1=Olivia |title=Go-Ahead bus contract extended despite complaints and dissatisfaction with service |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/transport/2022/10/31/go-ahead-bus-contract-extended-despite-complaints-and-dissatisfaction-with-service/ |access-date=6 February 2025 |newspaper=The Irish Times |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Holland |first1=Kitty |title=Go-Ahead to be fined for not delivering adequate bus service |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/go-ahead-to-be-fined-for-not-delivering-adequate-bus-service-1.3958652 |access-date=6 February 2025 |newspaper=The Irish Times |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Gleeson |first1=Colin |title=Bus operator Go-Ahead hit with fines of more than €3m last year |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/business/2023/06/27/bus-operator-go-ahead-hit-with-fines-worth-more-than-3m-last-year/ |access-date=6 February 2025 |newspaper=The Irish Times |language=en}}</ref>

During October 2018, Go-Ahead won a tender to run the Oslo south package, consisting of three routes previously operated by NSB. [[Go-Ahead Nordic]] commenced the contract with the [[Norwegian Railway Directorate]] to operate these routes in December 2019.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.go-ahead.com/en/media/news/2018/go-ahead-wins-first-rail-contract-to-be-awarded-in-norway.html/ |title = Go-Ahead wins first rail contract to be awarded in Norway |publisher = Go-Ahead Group |date = 17 October 2018}}</ref>

====Manchester and Cornwall====
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]].<ref>{{cite web |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190219223914/https://www.go-ahead.com/en/media/news/2019/go-ahead-agrees-terms-with-firstgroup-to-purchase-manchester-bus.htmll |archive-date=19 February 2019 |url = https://www.go-ahead.com/en/media/news/2019/go-ahead-agrees-terms-with-firstgroup-to-purchase-manchester-bus.htmll |title = Go-Ahead agrees terms with FirstGroup to purchase Manchester bus depot |publisher = Go-Ahead Group |date = 19 February 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190219224112/https://cbwmagazine.com/first-manchester-sells-queens-road-depot-to-go-ahead/ |archive-date=19 February 2019 |url = https://cbwmagazine.com/first-manchester-sells-queens-road-depot-to-go-ahead/ |title = First Manchester sells Queens Road depot to Go-Ahead |publisher = Coach & Bus Week |date = 19 February 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/first-manchester-cheetham-hill-depot-15851278 |title = First Manchester are selling 160 buses and their Cheetham Hill depot for £11.2 million |publisher = [[Manchester Evening News]] |date = 19 February 2019}}</ref>

During March 2020, [[Go Cornwall Bus]] partnered with [[Cornwall Council]] and local operators to form a new [[Transport for Cornwall]] brand, with plans calling for an additional 130 vehicles.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://cbwmagazine.com/transport-for-cornwall-prepares-to-begin-operations/ |title=Transport for Cornwall prepares to begin operations |last=Jackson |first=Peter |date=17 March 2020 |website=Coach & Bus Week |language=en-GB |access-date=17 April 2020}}</ref>

====Termination of Southeastern rail franchise ====
On 28 September 2021, the Department for Transport announced it would terminate the [[Southeastern (train operating company 2006–2021)|Southeastern franchise]] the following month after the discovery of financial misconduct.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Holton |first1=Kate |last2=Young |first2=Sarah |date=28 September 2021 |title=UK seizes control of Go-Ahead's Southeastern rail franchise |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/uk-take-control-go-aheads-southeastern-rail-franchise-2021-09-28/ |access-date=28 September 2021}}</ref> Southeastern had not declared over £25{{nbsp}}million that should have been repaid to the government in the period since 2014. Go-Ahead's Chief Financial Officer resigned over this matter.<ref name=guardian-20210928>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/sep/28/government-to-take-over-southeastern-after-serious-breach-of-franchise |title=Government to take over Southeastern after 'serious' breach of franchise |last1=Topham |first1=Gwyn |last2=Kollewe |first2=Julia |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |date=28 September 2021 |access-date=28 September 2021}}</ref>

On 9 December 2021, the company announced that its auditors needed more time to consider the implications of the misconduct and potential fines from the Department for Transport (DfT). Consequently, the annual results would not be ready at the end of the company's financial year on 2 January 2022, which would oblige the company to request suspension of trading in its shares. The share price fell by about 15% on the day of the announcement.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Willems |first1=Michael |last2=Russell-Jones |first2=Lily |date=9 December 2021 |title=Train operator Go-Ahead admits to 'serious errors and failures' as shares suspended |url=https://www.cityam.com/breaking-train-operator-go-ahead-admits-to-serious-errors-and-failures-in-way-it-ran-southeastern-rail-franchise/ |access-date=10 December 2021 |website=CityAM |language=en-GB}}</ref>

On 24 February 2022, Go-Ahead published their delayed 2020{{ndash}}21 results, and announced the outcome of investigations into the termination of the franchise. The review found that "serious errors had been made” since 2006, with the expected cost to the company to be over £80{{nbsp}}million.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |date=24 February 2022 |title=Southeastern: Losing rail franchise to cost firm £81.3m |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-kent-60505329 |access-date=24 February 2022}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Topham |first=Gwyn |date=24 February 2022 |title=Dramatic increase to £80m in cost of Southeastern train accounting scandal |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2022/feb/24/dramatic-increase-to-80m-in-cost-of-southeastern-train-accounting-scandal |access-date=24 February 2022 |website=The Guardian |language=en}}</ref> The amount owed to the DfT was increased to £51.3{{nbsp}}million, with errors dating back to 2006.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> Go-Ahead also stated that they expect to have to pay a fine to the DfT, setting aside up to £30{{nbsp}}million for this.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Georgiadis |first=Philip |date=24 February 2022 |title=Go-Ahead sets aside £30mn for Southeastern rail penalty |work=Financial Times |url=https://www.ft.com/content/c2f4069f-e039-4d57-b87e-17b4c1043db2 |access-date=24 February 2022}}</ref> Go-Ahead also stated that they may also owe DfT an additional £21.3{{nbsp}}million, related to a dispute over profit sharing.<ref name=":1" />

====Takeover====
On 13 June 2022, a consortium of Australia's [[Kinetic Group]] (51%) and Spain's [[Globalvia]] (49%) launched a takeover bid of Go-Ahead, initially valuing the company at £647 million.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Georgiadis |first1=Philip |last2=Dunkley |first2=Emma |date=14 June 2022 |title=Go-Ahead accepts £650mn bid from group led by Australian bus operator |language=en |work=[[Financial Times]] |url=https://www.ft.com/content/9630a750-7661-4d0f-87b3-e15eec19c739 |access-date=14 June 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220817103803/https://www.globalvia.com/en/noticia/we-submit-together-with-kinetic-an-offer-for-the-acquisition-of-go-ahead/ |archive-date=17 August 2022 |url = https://www.globalvia.com/en/noticia/we-submit-together-with-kinetic-an-offer-for-the-acquisition-of-go-ahead/ |title = We submit together with Kinetic an offer for the acquisition of Go-Ahead |publisher = [[Globalvia]] |date = 14 June 2022}}</ref> Two months later, the offer was increased to £669 million.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/spanish-goahead-group-b1016586.html |title = Go-Ahead suitors raise takeover offer by £22m |publisher = standard.co.uk |first = Anna |last = Wise |date = 4 August 2022}}</ref> Shortly thereafter, 78.6%  of Go-Ahead's shareholders voted to accept the offer.<ref>{{cite web |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220817101153/https://www.londonstockexchange.com/news-article/GOG/result-of-meeting/15587872 |archive-date=17 August 2022 |url = https://www.londonstockexchange.com/news-article/GOG/result-of-meeting/15587872 |title = Result of Meeting |publisher = Go-Ahead Group |date = 16 August 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.business-live.co.uk/ports-logistics/go-ahead-shareholders-approve-669m-24772849 |title = Go-Ahead shareholders approve £669m takeover by international joint venture |publisher = business-live.co.uk |first = Tom |last = Keighley |date = 16 August 2022}}</ref>

====Expansion and changes====
During January 2023, it was announced that Go-Ahead was expanding into the Australian market via the [[U-Go Mobility]] joint venture with the engineering company [[UGL (company)|UFL]]; this venture had been recently awarded a contract by Transport New South Wales to operate buses in [[Sydney]].<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.route-one.net/news/go-ahead-group-enters-australia-bus-market-with-jv/ |title = Go-Ahead Group enters Australia bus market with JV |publisher = route-one.net |date = 3 January 2023}}</ref> In June 2023, Go-Ahead bought Pulhams Coaches, expanding its presence into the [[Cotswolds]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://gloucesternewscentre.co.uk/go-ahead-expands-into-the-cotswolds-by-buying-pulham-sons/ |title=Go-Ahead expands into the Cotswolds by buying Pulham & Sons |date=8 June 2023 |newspaper=Gloucester News Centre |access-date=8 June 2023}}</ref>

In mid 2023, Go-Ahead Group announced that it was procuring a new fleet of [[hydrogen fuel cell]] buses to serve routes around [[Gatwick Airport]], [[Crawley]], and [[Horley]]; comprising 54 vehicles, it will be one of the largest hydrogen bus fleets present in the UK.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.intelligenttransport.com/transport-news/147909/go-ahead-group-launches-uks-largest-hydrogen-bus-fleet/ |title = Go-Ahead Group launches UK's largest hydrogen bus fleet |publisher = intelligenttransport.com |date = 30 June 2023}}</ref> The company has also invested £30 million on establishing a liquid hydrogen refuelling station, the first such facility serving buses in Europe.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.climateaction.org/news/go-ahead-group-invest-30m-into-a-hydrogen-bus-fleet-creating-greener-and-cl |title = Go-Ahead Group invest £30m into a hydrogen bus fleet, creating greener and cleaner bus travel |publisher = climateaction.org |date = 4 July 2023}}</ref>

==== Sale of German rail division ====
On 12 October 2023, the company entered into an agreement to sell [[Go-Ahead Germany]] to [[ÖBB]]; the sales process was completed on 1 February 2024, after approvals have been obtained from various international authorities under competition law.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ÖBB & Go-Ahead Germany form a Partnership for German local transport |url=https://presse-oebb.at/News_Detail.aspx?id=187145&menueid=29803&l=english |access-date=2023-10-12 |website=ÖBB Newsroom |language=en}}</ref>

==== Stockholm Metro ====
In January 2024, [[Connecting Stockholm]], which is majority-owned by Go-Ahead (55%) was awarded the operation contract for the [[Stockholm Metro]] system. The contract will be worth approximately [[Swedish krona|SEK]] 40 billion over its 11 year period and will commence in November 2025, taking over from the present operator, [[MTR Corporation|MTR]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-01-25 |title=Efter fiasko i England – nu tar hårt kritiserat bolag över Stockholms tunnelbana |url=https://www.svt.se/nyheter/lokalt/stockholm/efter-fiasko-i-england-nu-tar-hart-kritiserat-bolag-over-stockholms-tunnelbana |access-date=2024-01-25 |work=SVT Nyheter |language=sv}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-01-24 |title=Connecting Stockholm AB vinner tunnelbaneupphandling |url=https://www.regionstockholm.se/verksamhet/kollektivtrafik/nyheter/2024/01/connecting-stockholm-ab-vinner-tunnelbaneupphandling/ |access-date=2024-01-25 |website=Region Stockholm |language=sv}}</ref>