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GTR’s Environmental Excellence wins at National Rail Awards 2024
We are proud to share that our UK Rail Operator Govia Thameslink Railway won the Environmental Excellence category at the recent National Rail awards.
Their award-winning collaboration with community climate group Energy Garden has seen 6,000 solar panels installed on depots across the GTR network, transforming them into local sources of renewable energy and funding for community development projects. The panels are projected to save over 9,000 tonnes of carbon emissions over a 20-year period.
Judges at the prestigious awards ceremony said: “Public transport has long been regarded as one of the key solutions to the climate crisis. But this project takes it a step further. This not-for-profit uses the vast empty and often ugly space of depot roofs to generate clean energy at no upfront cost to the operator.”
Go-Ahead are committed to decarbonisation and delivering a sustainable public transport network for the communities we serve.
GTR were also Highly Commended in two other categories:
– Large station of the Year, for the redevelopment of Gatwick Airport. Focusing on improving the reliability and punctuality of services, and accessibility for customers.
– Customer Service Excellence, for the Aira Explorer App. Improving accessibility with innovation for visually impaired customers when they travel.
NEWS ACROSS THE GROUP
Welcome
from Miguel Parras
Dear Team,
Welcome to this month’s News Across the Group. Every month I am proud to see so many great initiatives showcased from across all our operating companies. It is evident that you are all living our company values, and this is leading to real positive change.
I am delighted that Govia Thameslink Railway has been recognised at the recent National Rail awards. Their award-winning project of ‘Environmental Excellence’ involved the introduction of solar panels at depots across their network. Go-Ahead
is becoming recognised for our dedication to sustainability and caring for the environment. I believe that we all understand the vital role that public transport plays in reducing emissions, enhancing air quality, and improving public health.
Earlier this month, we welcomed the Board of Go-Ahead to visit our team in Ireland and understand how the Go-Ahead Way is transforming our business in Dublin. The team there are dedicated and driven, providing reliable, punctual services for customers end playing an important
part in the local communities they serve. Since we started operating services in Ireland in 2018, we have continued to grow patronage and in 2023 there was a 33% year-on-year increase in customer journeys on our services, the highest increase that year in Dublin. The team have grown the next generation of talent in Ireland, recruiting more apprentices than ever before, and this year they had a record number of applications for their engineering scheme.
I was pleased to be joined by senior leaders across our company at the Senior Leadership conference in Sweden, hosted by our colleagues at Flexbuss. After a year of the new leadership team at Go-Ahead Group, it was a great opportunity to reflect on what we’ve learnt and how far we’ve come together. There are many opportunities ahead for Go-Ahead and I’m confident that together we will succeed.
Best regards,
Miguel Parras Go-Ahead Group CEO
Morebus recruitment drive event
Across all of the Operating Companies, women only recruitment days and cohorts have been ongoing in our target to recruit 1500 women bus drivers and achieve 50% gender balance by 2035.
Recently, Morebus, part of Go South Coast hosted a special event, designed to prompt local women to consider a new career as a bus driver. A special driving circuit was set up at Bournemouth University, so wouldbe drivers could come and try their hand at handling one of our buses. The event was a huge success and we look forward to seeing some of those from the event driving our buses on the road in the future.
Go-Ahead’s Manager Programme
For the first time at Go-Ahead, we have a Go-Ahead Manager programme, ensuring we retain and develop our talented teams.
The programme involves all operating companies, together with Group colleagues and gives our people a great opportunity to learn from each other, learn how our values can shape thinking and set standards across the business.
Carol’s Volunteering Adventure at the Paris 2024 Olympics
Volunteering at the Olympics has been a lifelong dream for Go Cornwall driver Carol Truscott, and at the Paris 2024 Olympics, that dream finally came true.
Carol worked at the Roland-Garros Stadium, helping customers with accessibility needs, assisting at the information desk, and showing visitors their seats. On her one day off, Carol explored Paris and bumped into two silver medallists near the Eiffel Tower, even getting the chance to hold an Olympic medal – a reminder of the hard work that goes into the Olympic games. Well done Carol.
Leanne Irving recognised for her contribution
Congratulations to Go North East’s Leanne Irving for being shortlisted as Manager of the Year (Large Operator) at the Route One awards.
Leanne is an Operations Manager at the Riverside depot. Her active involvement in local communities reflects her commitment to developing positive relationships beyond the workplace. Leanne champions women in the workplace, and has been involved in initiatives such as the Women in Transport’s inaugural Inclusive Cab Summit.
We wish Leanne all the best for the awards in November.
Values in action
Care for our customer Care for our people Care for our environment Care for our community Care for our assets
Drivers learn life-saving skills through new CPC course
At Brighton & Hove and Metrobus, over 150 drivers have gained life-saving skills from July 2023 to date through a new addition to CPC training: First Aid and Falls coaching, provided by medical training business Pulse South Coast. By the end of the 5-year CPC cycle, we aim to have trained the entire driving workforce in these vital skills.
The training has been incredibly well-received so far, with participants feeling better equipped to deal with any incidents that arise onboard their vehicle and beyond. Go South Coast have since rolled this out to Morebus, one of their several brands.
Inspiring a generation with our Plymouth summer campaign
Plymouth Citybus, part of Go South West, embraced the community spirit during the school holidays, by rolling out their Go Explorers initiative. This was designed to inspire children and families to discover things to do and places to visit in Plymouth by bus.
The campaign was delivered by a team of friendly illustrated characters, which were featured on AdShels, in the mall, magazines, and buses throughout the city during the summer holidays. Using the bus and collecting tokens to earn rewards has been a fantastic way to spend the holidays and embark on memorable journeys with the Go Explorers team.
Driving forward with charity support
Across our Operating Companies, Go-Ahead have continued to support local communities and charities. Most recently, Morebus donated £23,000 to a local children’s hospice, Julia’s House. Swindon’s Bus Company also donated £23,000 to support a local children’s hospice, Prospect House.
Swindon’s Bus Company general manager, Andrew Sherrington, stated, “Our corporate charity is voted for by my colleagues at Swindon’s Bus Company, some of whom have benefited directly from the support Prospect provides. It is very clear they hold this worthy cause in very high regard. We hope this latest donation will help Prospect Hospice’s excellent team in its work to create the best possible experience for patients and their families.”
Go-Ahead represent at Bus Driver of the Year competition
This year’s National Bus Driver of the Year (BDOY) competition was once again a great event showcasing excellent driving skills and knowledge.
Congratulations to Raj Viswanathan of Go-Ahead London’s Croydon Garage won second place in the overall competition. Well done to all those who represented Go-Ahead in the competition.
Brand the Bus!
Living Wage Employer
Go North West have become a Living Wage Employer, this means that they offer a higher, more realistic rate than the UK Government’s National Living Wage. Connor Lomas, Head of People at Go North West, explains: “We recognise the key role our employees play in serving and connecting the areas where we all live. We want to support our colleagues and these communities by fulfilling our responsibility as a major employer in Greater Manchester.”
Oxford Bus Company has launched its first electric branded bus, supporting Oxford Hospitals Charity, the 2024 winner of its Brand the Bus! Competition. The bright pink electric double-decker is wrapped with the Oxford Hospitals Charity logo as well as images of staff who work in Oxfordshire hospitals. A ribbon-cutting ceremony with members of the charity, hospital and Oxford Bus Company teams took place outside of the John Radcliffe Hospital in mid-August.
The bus is now in service on routes across the city, as part of Oxford Bus Company’s extensive new electric fleet. The local charity won the popular Brand the Bus! 2024 competition following a public vote, scooping a £40,000 package including branding on a vehicle and a year’s worth of advertising with Greatest Hits Radio.
Celebrating Catch the Bus Month
Go-Ahead were once again proud to support September’s Catch the Bus Month, run by Bus Users UK. To celebrate Catch the Bus Month, many of our Operating Companies took to the streets to engage with communities and discuss the benefits of using buses.
Lydia Horbury, Bus Users Director for England said: “We are delighted that Go-Ahead is supporting this year’s Catch the Bus Month. Buses are accessible, sustainable and affordable, and getting more people on board reduces congestion leading to faster, more reliable bus services. Win-win!”
Tom Joyner, Managing Director of Go-Ahead
NEWS ACROSS THE GROUP
Welcome to Blyton!
Brighton station renamed to celebrate 14-year-old local Paralympic Hero
Brighton train station has been renamed to honour Bly Twomey, one of Britain’s youngest ever Paralympians. Just weeks after winning her first Paralympic medals, Brighton station, managed by Southern, has been renamed ‘Blyton’ in recognition of the 14-year-old’s remarkable two bronze medal wins at the 2024 Paralympic Games, alongside Fliss Pickard.
Passengers arriving at the station will be greeted by the new “Welcome to Blyton” sign, until the day after World Cerebral Palsy Day (7 October), celebrating Twomey’s historic achievement. GTR’s tribute not only commemorates her sporting success, but also showcases the pride of Twomey’s local Brighton community.
Great Northern and Bee Friendly Trust join forces to give Nature a helping hand at stations
With one in six species under threat of extinction in the UK, Great Northern is doing its bit to enhance biodiversity on the railway, by making stations more nature friendly. Great Northern’s parent company Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) and the Bee Friendly Trust have just finished creating more than 20 ‘homes for nature’ at six stations: Bayford, Cuffley, Grange Park, Hadley Wood, New Barnet and New Southgate.
Digital season tickets can now be bought in a flash on new GTR apps
Commuters returning from the summer break can now for the first time on Great Northern, Southern, Thameslink and Gatwick Express services buy and store weekly, monthly and annual season tickets as barcode Tickets on their smartphones when using the train firms’ new apps.
Brand-new artwork unveiled to brighten Luton station
GTR and Network Rail partnered up with local artist Aimi Rix to create striking artwork, which was unveiled to improve passenger experience at Luton station. The artwork has been created by local artist Aimi Rix and is made up of 15 pieces covering themes of nature, the railway and local Luton landmarks, with particular emphasis on the people of Luton.
Tom Joyner Get to know...
Managing Director – Go-Ahead London
How did you get into transport?
It was one of the careers that I thought about from a reasonably early age actually. I thought about journalism, and I also thought about joining the police, but throughout I always seemed to come back to public transport in trains or buses. I therefore made sure I did work experience at a newspaper as well as on the railway. Sadly, my local bus company didn’t offer work experience, so I joined what was British Rail as a conductor (previously called ‘guard’) in 1993.
What does your role with Go-Ahead entail?
My role is to support and lead our management and leadership teams across our seventeen garages. We run approximately 2400 buses and have over 8000 colleagues who work every day to care for our customers, our assets and our communities – and my role is to enable us to achieve in all these areas, and then to make sure we have the skill, the resources and a truly positive culture throughout the organisation so we can exceed expectations.
What are your hobbies?
I love walking – both in terms of a daily walk with my dog, Holly, but also longer walks around Great Britain and sometimes abroad. My favourite sport is cricket, and I watch as much as possible, but am also a season ticket holder at Northampton Saints rugby club. Most importantly though is to spend time with my family and enjoy doing things together.
What’s a skill or hobby you’d love to learn?
I am going to re-start learning languages soon – just choosing which one to begin with!
What’s your favourite type of music or band?
Honestly it is pretty varied, I like Country particularly, but if you spoke to people who know me well they will tell you that I am mocked a lot for my love of pop and house music.
What’s a goal or dream you’re currently working towards?
My goal is to make sure that I can be the best leader at work, and best husband and father at home that I can be.
