Isobel Hedley-Jones appointed as Head of Fastrack
Isobel Hedley-Jones started her new role as Head of Fastrack operations earlier this month.
Isobel joined Go-Ahead London in 2021 as a graduate, with her first year focusing on bus operations, followed by a secondment in business development, working on the bids for Fastrack and Singapore, and later the U-Go mobilisation in Australia.
She has since managed contract negotiations for the Fastrack network and then started working on the mobilisation in January 2024 ahead of GoAhead taking over the operation of the network last month.
Isobel’s diverse experience during her time at Go-Ahead London and Go-Ahead Group means she is well placed to head up to the Fastrack operations which is an important part of the regional bus portfolio.
This appointment builds on our commitment to create a diverse workforce and increase the number of women in leadership roles at Go-Ahead.
We wish Isobel all the best in her new role.
Welcome
from Miguel Parras
Dear colleagues,
Welcome to the January edition of News Across the Group. I hope you’ve all had a great start to the year.
I know that many of you were very incredibly busy over the Christmas period – whether raising money for important charities, helping our customer get into the festive spirit or working hard to deliver our essential services. A huge thank you for your dedication and hard work during such a busy time of year.
One of the highlights of this edition is the well-deserved recognition our colleagues have received to their commitment and dedication to our customers and communities. We were also recognised in Britain’s Most Admired Companies Awards,
winning silver for Most Admired Transport Company and bronze for Reducing Our Global Impact – a true testament to all your hard work. I would like to give special mention to Andrew Wickham, Joe Healy and Siggy Cragwell, who received awards for their contributions to our industry in the King’s New Year Honours List. Please join me in congratulating them on this prestigious recognition.
We have an exciting year ahead in 2025. In May we will begin operating the Elizabeth line in the London Underground, and later in the year, we will take over the operation of Stockholm’s Metro network – further expanding our rail expertise and applying our experience in managing busy, complex transport networks. We will also see the first Wrightbus
Zero Emission Buses on the road soon, and we will continue to explore new opportunities for growth.
I have no doubt that we will celebrate even more successes and win many more awards this year. More importantly, we will continue to uphold the high standards of our services and strengthen our position as the leading public transport company. I’m excited to see what we can achieve together.
Together, we are The Go-Ahead Group.
Miguel Parras Go-Ahead Group CEO
Go-Ahead Women cohort for Southern Vectis
Southern Vectis were pleased to welcome their latest Go-Ahead Women cohort into the Go South Coast family. The cohort began their journey signing up at the latest women’s recruitment day. Here they are pictured at the Southern Vectis Training Room in Newport, along with their instructors, Hannah Cundall (left) and Georgina Rogers (right).
All of the new Southern Vectis drivers will be based out of Newport garage once qualified and will be driving on routes across the Isle of Wight. We wish the new cohort all the best in their careers with Go-Ahead.
initiative, it is important to increase visibility of diversity within roles in the industry. In their new social media recruitment campaign, Go-Ahead London displayed profiles from women in the workplace. They showcased varied roles and had quotes explaining why representatives like to work for Go-Ahead London. Here are the profiles from Chantel, Collette and Lavern.
Women in Bus and Coach (WiBC) have launched a dedicated Coach Subgroup. This initiative aims to provide tailored support, networking opportunities, and resources for women working in the UK coach industry.
Kathryn Pulham is the Chair of the Coach Subgroup and has over 16 years of experience as a co-director of successful bus and coach company Pulhams Coaches. In June 2023, Pulhams became part of Go-Ahead, and Kathryn continues to play an active role leveraging knowledge and expertise to support business functions. Go-Ahead champions Kathryn’s leadership as Chair of the WiBC Coach Subgroup, enabling her to advocate for greater diversity and inclusion in the sector.
Women in Bus and Coach Update
Colleagues from Go-Ahead were pleased to recently attend the Parliamentary Reception for Women in Bus and Coach, hosted by the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Bus and Coach.
The Elizabeth line
Values in action
International Day of People with Disabilities
After 35 years as Flexbuss, they are now rebranding as Go-Ahead Sweden. The new brand will have an even greater focus on caring for people and communities. The implementation of the new brand is underway and expected to complete in the spring of 2025
U-Go’s Luca names bus driver of the year
Luca Gerotto, a bus driver at U-Go Mobility’s Kingsgrove depot, has been named Greater Sydney Bus Driver of the Year 2024 at the BusNSW awards. Luca was nominated by U-Go after receiving an amazing 28 commendations for his friendly, five-star service, and being described as the most caring and compassionate driver in Sydney. Well done Luca!
Brighton & Hove Buses had a very successful Minister’s visit to mark the International Day of People with Disabilities. Simon Lightwood MP visited their North Street Travel Shop where travel confidence training is hosted with their built-in wooden bus.
The team also met a number of disabled passengers who use our services and learned about all the industry-leading accessibility features on our buses.
Brighton and Hove also recently launched Travel Smart Travel Safe, which is a confidence building programme that includes a workshop about bus travel and an education trip to the Royal Pavilion or Brighton Museum.
Go-Ahead celebrate achievements at the UK Bus Awards
Congratulations to our Operating Companies for their success at the UK Bus Awards. Go North West, won the Recruitment and Retention Category award at the UK Bus Awards for their Elite Driver Recruitment campaign.
Brighton & Hove Buses and Metrobus won the Culture Change award. Their winning submission dealt with investing in a variety of wholly dramatised full-day CPC courses, including one on understanding customer needs and expectations. Commendations were also awarded to Go East Anglia, Go North East and Go South Coast, plus Efe Oyeghe from Go-Ahead London in the Top London Bus Driver category.
Festive Support from Morebus
The Morebus team, part of Go South Coast, gifted festive assistance to The Brendoncare Foundation, which celebrated its 40th anniversary recently. The charity provides in person and online community clubs, digital and telephone support for older people living in the Dorset area.
A foodbank dedicated to easing hunger and poverty in Salisbury has received a festive boost - thanks to a donation by Salisbury Reds.
Oxford Bus Company and Thames Travel are excited for the return of the popular Brand the Bus competition this month. In 2025, with the invaluable support of our partners, Get Radio and Oxford City Football Club, the competition is set to provide local good causes and charities with an even greater chance for increasing their impact, through a £100,000 prize package. It is also being rolled out across Carousel Buses for the first time. With the support of our partners, Wycombe Sound and Wycombe Wanderers FC, with a £60,000 prize package.
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Stephen Shiner is a driver based in Newquay. Before Stephen became a driver though, he had a very different career - working on a Search and Rescue helicopter. Recently, hmcoastguard.co.uk wrote an article about Stephen’s career after he was awarded the prestigious Billy Deacon Trophy. Well done Stephen.
Organised in collaboration with the Land Transport Authority and Singapore Mobility Gallery, as part of a holiday programme, Go-Ahead Singapore hosted public visits to Loyang Bus Depot. The depot tours offered the chance to highlight sustainability initiatives to visitors, including the workshop recycling area and the use of recycled water for bus washes, while also giving an inside look into the daily bus operations and maintenance.
The Autumn Pre-Promotion Course for Go-Ahead London was recently held at Camberwell Academy. This three-month evening course provides colleagues with the opportunity to study a wide-ranging programme about our industry and business that can help colleagues take that first step into the supervisory world.
Go-Ahead Singapore welcomed Ms Yeo Wan Ling, Assistant Secretary General of NTUC and Member of Parliament for Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC, to Punggol Bus Interchange as part of Public Transport Workers’ Appreciation. During her visit, Ms Yeo took the time to view the signature living green wall as well as Heart Zone, and found out more about ongoing sustainability and inclusivity initiatives.
Daniel Corbin, Managing Director and Luca Gerotto
Rail person of the year
Congratulations to Marianna Busuttil, a driver manager for GTR Southern for winning the prestigious prize at this year’s RailStaff Awards ceremony. Marianna exemplifies dedication, compassion, and leadership in her role. Marianna ensures they are fully supported throughout their training but also fosters a welcoming and encouraging environment. Well done Marianna.
Commuters surprised with Christmas Party ‘Survival’ Kits during busiest week for office parties
GTR saved weary heads by gifting free Christmas Party ‘Survival’ Kits to commuters during the week most popular for office Christmas parties. Through the fun and festive giveaway, GTR raised awareness of the increase of incidents that peak during the festive period to ensure partygoers get home safely.
Every stop is a story
GTR’s ‘Every stop is a story’ marketing campaign is now officially an award-winner, after taking gold at the Data and Marketing Association Awards for Travel and Leisure. GTR entered the award in partnership with their creative agency, TMW Unlimited, who you can see alongside Digital Marketing Manager Sam Wood (left), collecting the award.
Colleagues recognised in the King’s New Year Honours list
Huge congratulations to our colleagues Andrew Wickham, Managing Director, Go South Coast who was awarded Member of the Order of the British Empire for his services to the bus industry and to Joe Healy, station manager at Luton Airport Parkway and Siggy Cragwell, station assistant at Elstree & Borehamwood station who were both awarded a British Empire Medal for their services to the railway industry. An incredible recognition for all their brilliant work.
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GTR offers free use of innovative sign language app to assist deaf rail passengers
GTR is offering free use of an innovative sign language app to remove barriers for passengers who are deaf or suffer hearing loss – and help them travel with confidence.
Customers will be able to use the SignLive app at all 236 of its managed stations, on board trains and with its call centres to communicate with Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) staff using a trained British Sign Language interpreter on their smartphone screen.
Rupert Cox Get to know...
Managing Director of Go East Anglia
How did you get into transport?
I grew up in Poole, Dorset and my parents didn’t have a car. I got used to going everywhere by bus or for longer journeys by train. I became fascinated by the logistics of it all. I was a very independent kid and persuaded my Mum to let me travel out and around Dorset (and sometimes further) on my own from about the age of 10.
My first paid job was at Wilts & Dorset, now morebus, where I helped out in my holidays from university doing all sorts of tasks including scheduling, putting up bus stop flags and creating computer data in the early days of Traveline.
What does your role with Go-Ahead entail?
I’ve been MD of the Go-Ahead businesses in East Anglia for about 6 months. I’m still learning about the company, but I like to be in our depots and bus stations hearing about what our colleagues think. I want to make this company better and there are plenty of suggestions. We have two ears and one mouth, so I like to do twice as much listening as talking!
What are your hobbies?
I’m a big football fan. Naturally, coming from Dorset I’m a Manchester United fan! I like to play with my kids and watch too. My eldest son and I do play a lot of board games, especially if they involve money! At some point I know that he’ll switch to doing more with his friends, so I’m making the most of the dad time now!
My wife would probably say that I’m a bit of a workaholic, but I also appreciate the downtime when on holiday.
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be?
I love travelling and taking time out of work to explore the world. I’m lucky to have been to some incredible places but I’m happy just relaxing in the sun, next to a pool with a cocktail. One day I hope to get to Hawaii – it just looks incredible with beaches and mountainous scenery – I’m dreaming!
What is your go-to comfort food?
Chocolate. Especially salted caramel chocolate. You can’t beat it. I like to put in the fridge first and eat it cold. Some say that’s strange…
What’s a skill or hobby you’d love to learn?
I’d love to be able to learn to play the piano and sing. If I had retirement plan, playing the piano is top of the list. There’s something about the sound (when played properly) that is magical. Whether listening to a relaxing pianist or as part of a band, it’s something extra to any song.
Do you have any pets?
We have a little rabbit at home. She lives inside and we’ve trained her so she knows where to do her business. She tolerates the attention from the family! We’ve tried other pets, usually as requests from the kids, but they never seem to last long. The record was a goldfish who barely survived 24 hours.
Do you have a favourite book, movie, or TV show?
I’d love to read more but I struggle to make time to properly read fiction. I save a few books for being on holiday. I do binge on a lot of Netflix or Amazon Prime though. I helps me switch off from work for that last hour before bed. I’ve enjoyed the big Netflix dramas like Suits, House of Cards and Ozark.
There is a great team here at East Anglia, and I’m helping them develop the business so that we can make it a better place to work and a service that our customers like. That means making a few changes to what we do. I’m lucky that over the past 20 years or so, I’ve experienced quite a few examples of what a great bus company looks like. I’m ambitious for us to develop this business into the best bus company in England!
What’s your favourite type of music or band?
I’m a massive Coldplay fan. I have all their songs and try to see them each time they tour. I’ve been lucky enough to get to see them live more than 10 times. I love the songs, the crowd singing and the atmosphere. I tried to get tickets for seeing them in 2025 but couldn’t make it in the queue, so if anyone reading this wants to do a deal, I’m listening!
Aside from buses, my mastermind subject would probably be James Bond. I’ve loved the films and all the glitz and glamour that surround them. Some great places too for holiday inspiration!
What’s a goal or dream you’re currently working towards?
My mission is to help lead the East Anglia business to be the best place to work and win Operator of the Year at the UK Bus Awards. Watch out Go South Coast – we’re coming for your crown!
Siggy Cragwell
Joe Healy