Editing Go-Ahead Group (section)

====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" />