Editing Go-Ahead Group (section)

=== 1996 – 2010 ===

==== Entering the railway sector ====
In October 1996, Go-Ahead entered the UK rail market when it commenced operating the [[Thames Trains]] franchise, which it ran until March 2004. The franchise was awarded by the [[Director of Passenger Rail Franchising]] to Victory Rail Holdings; Go-Ahead owned 65% of the shares in Victory Rail Holdings with the remaining 35% held by some ex [[British Rail]] managers and employees.<ref name="AnnualReport1997" /> Go-Ahead bought the remaining shares it did not own in June 1998.<ref name="AnnualReport1998">[http://www.go-ahead.com/~/media/Files/G/Go-Ahead/ir/presentations/archive_pres/1998pres/ar1998.pdf Go-Ahead Annual Report 27 June 1998] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121123170200/http://go-ahead.com/~/media/Files/G/Go-Ahead/ir/presentations/archive_pres/1998pres/ar1998.pdf|date=23 November 2012}} Go-Ahead Group</ref>

Also in 1996, Go-Ahead entered into the [[Govia]] joint venture with French company VIA-GTI (which later became [[Keolis]]), in order to bid for more UK rail franchises. Govia was 65% owned by Go-Ahead. Govia was awarded the [[Thameslink (train operating company 1997–2006)|Thameslink]] franchise, which it ran from March 1997 until March 2006.<ref>{{cite web |date=1 September 2001 |title=Extension not competition as franchise replacement stalls |url=http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/extension-not-competition-as-franchise-replacement-stalls.html |access-date=21 April 2017 |work=Railway Gazette International |archive-date=7 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170907215028/http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/extension-not-competition-as-franchise-replacement-stalls.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

During August 2001, [[Govia]] started running the South Central rail franchise. In October 2000, the Shadow [[Strategic Rail Authority]] awarded Govia the South Central rail franchise with operations due to commence in May 2003 when the [[Connex South Central]] franchise expired.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/988016.stm |title = Connex loses rail franchise |publisher = [[BBC News]] |date = 24 October 2000}}</ref> Govia negotiated a deal with [[Veolia Transport|Connex]] to buy out the remainder of its franchise.<ref>[http://www.oft.gov.uk/OFTwork/mergers/mergers_fta/mergers_fta_advice/govia Proposed acquisition by Govia Limited of Connex South Central Limited] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120529071252/http://www.oft.gov.uk/OFTwork/mergers/mergers_fta/mergers_fta_advice/govia|date=29 May 2012}} Office of Fair Trading 16 August 2001</ref><ref>{{cite web |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20011021172522/http://www.go-ahead.com/Press/2001releases/pressaugustb2001.htm |archive-date=21 October 2001 |url = http://www.go-ahead.com/Press/2001releases/pressaugustb2001.htm |title = Completion of Acquisition of South Central Franchise |publisher = Go-Ahead |date = 28 August 2001}}</ref>

====Failed takeover and operations in Sweden====
During July 2000, French government owned [[Caisse des Dépts-Développement]] (C3D) submitted a bid to purchase Go-Ahead; this offer, which was valued at £326 million, was promptly rejected by the company. A [[hostile takeover]] bid was issued by C3D one month later; it was declared to be "unwelcome" by Go-Ahead chairman Sir Frederick Holliday.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/7132169.go-ahead-says-non-french-takeover/ |title = Go-Ahead says 'non' to French takeover |publisher = henorthernecho.co.uk |date = 24 August 2000}}</ref> Go-Ahead pledged to fight for its independence and promoted its expansion plans to shareholders to persuade them to back the existing management team. C3D sought to integrate Go-Ahead with its [[Transdev S.A.]] bus and light rail operator.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/goahead-dismisses-pound-326m-hostile-french-bid-711882.html |title = Go-Ahead dismisses £326m hostile French bid |work = The Independent |first = Jake |last = Lloyd-Smith |date = 25 August 2000}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.theguardian.com/business/2000/aug/27/theobserver.observerbusiness |title = Go-ahead says go away to French bidders |publisher = theguardian.com |first = Joanna |last = Walters |date = 27 August 2000}}</ref> In October 2000, C3D's takeover effort came to nought.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.thetimes.com/business-money/companies/article/c3d-set-to-raise-bid-for-go-ahead-gtkzddwxhs3 |title = C3D set to raise bid for Go Ahead |first = Mark |last = Court |website = [[The Times]] |date = 11 October 2000}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/4470138/Go-Ahead-dives-as-hostile-bid-fizzles-out.html |title = Go-Ahead dives as hostile bid fizzles out |publisher = [[The Daily Telegraph]] |date = 26 October 2000}}</ref>

Go-Ahead entered into two joint ventures with [[Keolis|VIA-GTI]] and [[BK Tåg]] to operate rail services in Sweden. Go-Ahead had a 39% stake in City Pendeln AB which was to operate the Citypendeln commuter rail business in [[Stockholm]]. Go-Ahead also had a 29% stake in Sydvasten AB which operated rail services between [[Gothenburg]] and [[Malmö]]. Go-Ahead decided to exit from both ventures in May 2000.<ref name="AnnualReport2000" /><ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=19 May 2000 |title=Withdrawal from joint ventures in railways in Sweden |url=http://www.investegate.co.uk/article.aspx?id=200005191404529053K |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130801031948/http://www.investegate.co.uk/article.aspx?id=200005191404529053K |archive-date=1 August 2013 |website=Investegate |publisher=The Go-Ahead Group |via=Internet Archive}}</ref>

Wycombe Bus Company was sold to [[Arriva Shires & Essex|Arriva]] in December 2000.<ref name="AnnualResults2001" />

==== Expansion into the Midlands and the South ====
In August 2003, the [[Wilts & Dorset]] bus business was purchased.<ref name="AnnualReport2003">[http://www.go-ahead.com/~/media/Files/G/Go-Ahead/ir/presentations/archive_pres/2003pres/ar2003.pdf Go-Ahead Annual Report 28 June 2003] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121123170250/http://go-ahead.com/~/media/Files/G/Go-Ahead/ir/presentations/archive_pres/2003pres/ar2003.pdf|date=23 November 2012}} Go-Ahead Group</ref> In June 2005 [[Bluestar (bus company)|Solent Blue Line]] and [[Southern Vectis]] were purchased.<ref name="Annualreport2005" /> In September 2005, the [[Lewes]] and [[Seaford, East Sussex|Seaford]] operations of [[Stagecoach South]] were acquired and integrated into the [[Brighton & Hove (bus company)|Brighton & Hove]] business.<ref name="AnnualReport2006">[http://www.go-ahead.com/~/media/Files/G/Go-Ahead/ir/presentations/2006pres/ar2006/ar2006.pdf Go-Ahead Annual Report 1 July 2006] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121123173356/http://www.go-ahead.com/~/media/Files/G/Go-Ahead/ir/presentations/2006pres/ar2006/ar2006.pdf |date=23 November 2012 }} Go-Ahead Group</ref>

During December 2005, Go-Ahead purchased The Birmingham Coach Company, which operated express coaches under contract for [[National Express Coaches|National Express]] and local bus services in the West Midlands under the [[Diamond West Midlands|Diamond Bus]] name.<ref name="times" /><ref name="AnnualReport2006" /> Go-Ahead had been known for some time to be keen to begin operating in the area. In February 2006, another operator in the West Midlands, [[Probus Management]], trading as [[People's Express]], was purchased.<ref name="times" /><ref name="AnnualReport2006" />

In August 2006, the Birmingham Coach Company (trading as Diamond Bus) and Probus operations were regrouped under the [[Go West Midlands]] Limited legal entity, with the bus operations branded as Diamond in the West Midlands.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.reddibus.com/Diamond%20Bus%20-%20Introduction.htm |title=Diamond Bus Introduction |publisher=Reddibus |access-date=21 April 2017 |archive-date=23 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150223065130/http://reddibus.com/Diamond%20Bus%20-%20Introduction.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> In February 2006, the Hants & Dorset Trim bus refurbishment business was purchased.<ref name="AnnualReport2006" /> In April 2006, the [[Govia]] joint venture commenced operating the [[South Eastern franchise]] as [[Southeastern (train operating company 2006–2021)|Southeastern]].<ref>{{cite web |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120210042323/http://www.dft.gov.uk/publications/stock-market-statement-passenger-franchise-integrated-kent |archive-date=10 February 2012 |url = http://www.dft.gov.uk/publications/stock-market-statement-passenger-franchise-integrated-kent |title = Department for Transport announces integrated Kent franchise |publisher = [[Department for Transport]] |date = 30 January 2006}}</ref>

During September 2006, [[Docklands Buses]] was acquired and integrated into [[Go-Ahead London]], followed in October 2006 by [[Marchwood Motorways]] which was integrated into [[Go South Coast]].<ref name=AnnualReport2007>[http://www.go-ahead.com/~/media/Files/G/Go-Ahead/ir/presentations/2007pres/ar2007/ar2007.pdf Go-Ahead Annual Report 30 June 2007] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121123174649/http://go-ahead.com/~/media/Files/G/Go-Ahead/ir/presentations/2007pres/ar2007/ar2007.pdf |date=23 November 2012 }} Go-Ahead Group</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.busandcoach.com/newspage.aspx?id=1066&categoryid=0 |title=Go-Ahead purchases Marchwood Motorways |date=26 October 2006 |publisher=Bus & Coach Professional |access-date=9 October 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131020222911/http://www.busandcoach.com/newspage.aspx?id=1066&categoryid=0 |archive-date=20 October 2013 }}</ref>

In June 2007, [[Blue Triangle]] was acquired and integrated into Go-Ahead London.<ref name=AnnualReport2007/> In September 2007, Northumbria Coaches was purchased and integrated into [[Go North East]], followed by Stanley Buses (the bus service subsidiary of Stanley Taxis) in October 2007, and Redby Buses in January 2008.<ref name=AnnualReport2008>[http://www.go-ahead.com/~/media/Files/G/Go-Ahead/ir/presentations/2008pres/investor/ar2008.pdf Go-Ahead Annual Report 28 June 2008] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121123173024/http://go-ahead.com/~/media/Files/G/Go-Ahead/ir/presentations/2008pres/investor/ar2008.pdf |date=23 November 2012 }} Go-Ahead Group</ref> In November 2007, [[Govia]] began operating the [[London Midland]] rail franchise.<ref name=AnnualReport2007/> In December 2007, the [[Orpington]] services of [[First London]] were acquired.<ref name=AnnualReport2008/>

In February 2008, Go-Ahead sold [[Go West Midlands]] to [[Rotala]]'s [[Diamond West Midlands|Central Connect]], two years after purchasing the company.<ref name=AnnualReport2008/> In June 2008, the [[Gatwick Express]] rail service was incorporated into [[Southern (train operating company)|Southern]].<ref name=AnnualReport2008/> In October 2009, [[East Thames Buses]] was acquired and integrated into [[Go-Ahead London]] as well as the Horsham operations of [[Arriva Southern Counties]] that were integrated into [[Metrobus (South East England)|Metrobus]].<ref name=HalfYearReport2010>[http://www.go-ahead.com/~/media/Files/G/Go-Ahead/ir/presentations/2010pres/half_year2010/halfyr_report2010.pdf Go-Ahead half year Report 2 January 2010] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131015000224/http://www.go-ahead.com/~/media/Files/G/Go-Ahead/ir/presentations/2010pres/half_year2010/halfyr_report2010.pdf |date=15 October 2013 }} Go-Ahead Group</ref> In December 2009, [[Plymouth Citybus]] was purchased from [[Plymouth City Council]].<ref name=HalfYearReport2010/> In March 2010, [[Konectbus]] in Norfolk was purchased as well as the [[Hexham]] operations of [[Arriva North East]] and integrated into [[Go North East]].<ref name="AnnualReport2011" />

====American operations====
In August 2010, Go-Ahead America, a joint venture with Cook Illinois in which Go-Ahead held a 50% stake, commenced operating a yellow school bus contract in [[St Louis]], [[Missouri]].<ref name="AnnualReport2011" /> In July 2014, Go-Ahead exited the United States following the loss of its yellow bus contract.<ref>[http://www.busandcoach.com/newspage.aspx?id=8444&categoryid=1 Go-Ahead quits USA] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140524045558/http://www.busandcoach.com/newspage.aspx?id=8444&categoryid=1|date=24 May 2014}} ''Bus & Coach Professional'' 23 May 2014</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=9 May 2014 |title=School bus contractor closing St. Louis operations |url=http://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/news/2014/05/09/school-bus-contractor-closing-st-louis-operations.html?page=all |access-date=28 March 2015 |work=St. Louis Business Journal}}</ref>