We were delighted to celebrate National Apprenticeship Week, sharing stories of our fantastic colleagues across our business including Jake Robinson who was a footballer with Brighton & Hove Albion and is now an apprentice with Southern, GTR, Kylie who is now a qualified engineer working at Brighton & Hove and Metrobus and Charlie William-Burford from Go South West who was named Apprentice of the Year at the Cornwall Apprenticeship.
Offering apprenticeships has always been very important to us – we want to make sure we continue to have fresh, diverse ideas in our business and recruit future talent to offer customers the best service across bus and rail.
This year, we are proud to remain among the Department for Education’s top 10 Apprenticeship Employers in the UK. Across the Group we’ve welcomed thousands of apprentices into roles across various functions, including engineering, driving, and support services like finance.
Their stories were shared across social media and with media such as the BBC –we hope this helps inspire more people to apply for apprenticeships.
Looking to the future, Oxford Bus Group announced it will recruit five new apprentices this year, as part of its commitment to encourage people to kick-start careers in the bus and coach sector. Go-Ahead has also hosted some school visits to raise awareness of our next apprentice programme, which will be open to applications very soon.
Kylie Griffiths, qualified engineer working at Brighton & Hove and Metrobus
Welcome
from Miguel Parras
Dear colleagues,
Welcome to the February edition of News Across the Group. I’m delighted to read all the updates, particularly around celebrating the fantastic apprentices we have across our business. It’s great to see that people of all ages and professional backgrounds are seeing the benefits and advantages of joining our programme. We will soon have some exciting news to share about further development opportunities for both our existing and future engineering colleagues, which I look forward to updating you on.
I recently came back from a short trip to Japan where I met our Elizabeth line partners at Tokyo Metro and Sumitomo Corporation. Japan is an incredible country with a highly efficient and punctual public transport system, long admired worldwide. This is especially impressive given that Tokyo has a population of over 14 million people, almost twice that of London. It was fascinating to see the operation of
Tokyo Metro and I’m sure there is much we can learn from each other as our partnership develops.
Our colleagues at GTS are working hard to ensure a seamless transition with MTR, the current operators of the Elizabeth line, as we approach May. They have recently engaged with the teams currently working on the Elizabeth line, who we will soon be welcoming to our Group.
Whilst on the subject of rail, I hope you all saw our news that we’ve opened an office in Melbourne to explore rail opportunities in Australia and New Zealand. There is enormous potential for us to grow in the region and leverage our expertise in managing large and complex rail operations for millions of customers.
We are also making progress in expanding our bus network with the acquisition of Trossö Buss in Sweden and Pearces Coaches in Oxford, UK.
As we approach International Women’s Day on 8 March, I want
to take a moment to recognise the incredible contributions of women across our business. Go-Ahead Women continues to be a fantastic platform for supporting and championing female talent, and I encourage everyone to take part in the initiatives and events being organised. This year’s theme is an opportunity for us to reflect on how we can create a more inclusive and equitable workplace for all.
Thank you for all your continued hard work and dedication towards making us the leading international public transport company. This is an exciting time for our Group.
Together, we are The Go-Ahead Group.
Regards,
Southern Vectis welcome new women drivers
Southern Vectis were pleased to celebrate the success of its latest Go-Ahead Women cohort, who have now completed their training and are ready to take to the roads.
The four new drivers first signed up at a ‘try it’ recruitment event last year, designed to encourage more women to consider a career in public transport. After passing their Passenger Carrying Vehicle (PCV) tests and completing their training, the four new drivers are now fully qualified and ready to transport passengers across the Isle of Wight.
Leigh’s journey to the driver’s seat
New Southern Vectis driver, Libby Green, has enjoyed the opportunity: “It’s been a really enjoyable challenge and I’ve met some great people. It’s different everyday and that’s the joy of it.”
We wish our new colleagues all the best in their careers with Go-Ahead.
Miguel Parras Go-Ahead Group CEO
After a decade away from work caring for her daughter, Leigh Santamaria has found her new career through the help of Southern and the Career Returners scheme.
Previously a legal PA, Leigh was inspired to apply for a trainee driver role after she saw an advert on social media featuring a female train driver. Leigh completed her final assessment and received her driver’s key at the end of 2024. Now qualified, she’s on the tracks covering routes between East Grinstead, London, East Croydon, and is training on the Epsom Downs line.
Congratulations to Leigh —we wish her every success
Trossö Buss is a high-quality operator with strong connections to the local community in southern Sweden and a focus on delivering the best possible customer service. They offer local school bus services, rail replacement services and private coach hire. Trossö Buss will join Go-Ahead Sweden.
Values in action
£1.70 for residents and visitors alike.
allowing them to practise vital techniques, including casualty extraction, stabilisation, and dealing with large vehicle incidents. This helps the firefighters to be operationally ready and ensures the community’s safety.
U-Go has partnered with The Reconnect Project for the past year, repurposing pre-owned mobile devices to help bridge the digital divide. When devices are found but unclaimed, U-Go sends them to The Reconnect Project for inspection and repair by neurodivergent young adults. Repaired devices are distributed to those in need, while irreparable devices are used for parts or skill-building. Based in southwest Sydney, The Reconnect Project has repurposed close to 3,000 devices and diverted 5,000kg from landfill.
Across the Group, Santa Bus initiatives have raised money for important causes while spreading festive cheer. Brighton & Hove’s Santa Bus raised an incredible £36,579 for 12 local charities, while Metrobus’s Santa Bus in Crawley raised £4,817 for two local causes. At Go South West, the Santa Bus raised over £2,900 combined for bereaved children’s charities, Jeremiah’s Journey and Penhaligon’s Friends. Thank you to all who donated and helped make these Santa Bus initiatives a success.
In celebration of Brew Monday, Go North East’s Chatty Bus visited the University of Sunderland, offering students a chance to chat and enjoy a warm drink. The initiative aimed to spread some cheer, with support from the Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust, which provided valuable mental health resources for students.
Now in its seventh year, Oxford Bus Group’s Brand the Bus competition is bigger than ever, offering good causes the chance to showcase their branding on double-decker buses for 12 months. The advertising prize has grown to £100,000, thanks to new partnerships with Oxford City Football Club and Get Radio. Plus, for the first time, Carousel Buses has joined the initiative, with a £60,000 prize offered in partnership with Wycombe Wanderers Football Club and Wycombe Sound. With over 60 entries already, the 2025 competition is set to deliver tremendous impact.
This year’s festivities began at Loyang Bus Depot with bus captains and colleagues before continuing at Punggol Bus Interchange, where government officials, union representatives, and transport leaders joined the celebrations. Guests took part in traditional activities, including a ‘Lo Hei’ prosperity toss and a dragon beard candy performance.
Over the course of 31 consecutive days, GTR colleagues dedicated 31 minutes of movement each day to support their own mental wellbeing and raise awareness for mental health. While the challenge focused on encouraging personal wellbeing, it also led to an impressive £2,504 raised for Mind. Special recognition goes to Driver Manager Sonnie Grainger, who raised £796.97 from donations by friends and family.
Southern Engineer’s artwork sent to the moon
Hidden among the tools and trains at Stewart’s Lane depot is an internationally recognised digital artist—Edward Fee. The Southern engineer’s work has been exhibited worldwide, but his latest achievement is truly out of this world—his artwork has been sent to the moon!
Last week, a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched a time capsule carrying Ed’s digital creations, alongside historical documents and messages, for lunar preservation. Congratulations Edward.
Oxford new electric fleet covered an impressive four million kilometres in 2024 – the equivalent of 11 trips to the moon. Introduced in early 2024, the 104 electric buses saved 1.25 million litres of diesel, cutting over 3,175 tonnes of CO2 – comparable to powering 2,000 UK homes for a year. With usage expected to rise, the fleet is set to cover six million kilometres in 2025, reducing emissions by 4,750 tonnes.
Plymouth Citybus is taking a major step towards greener transport with 50 new electric double-deckers arriving in 2025. Operating on key city routes and Cornwall’s Rame Peninsula, these buses will replace nearly half the fleet, cutting carbon emissions by an estimated 79,914 tonnes over their lifetime.
Brighton & Hove’s £1 fare cap on short journeys, introduced in December to ease travel costs, is now extended until March 2025. The offer makes everyday trips more affordable for customers, reducing fares from
Celebrating talented youngsters who break the mould
GTR and skills charity Talent Foundry have celebrated some young hopefuls seeking a career in rail at a special event. GTR colleagues attended Parliament to mark the efforts made by the group of teenage students who work with the employment scheme to help cultivate the next generation of the railway family.
GTR’s King’s Trust partnership celebrates its tenth birthday
GTR’s partnership with the King’s Trust marked its tenth anniversary with a reception at the Houses of Parliament. The ‘Get into Railways’ programme has supported over 200 young people, providing training, placements, and jobs. The celebration saw 100 attendees, including alumni, MPs, and partners, all coming together to mark the milestone.
Currently, 40 people are employed through the programme in roles spanning HR, engineering, customer service, and more.
Introducing Go-Ahead West Yorkshire
Go-Ahead entered the West Yorkshire bus market, launching its first operation with service 571 between Halifax and Shelf on 23 February. Three buses operate this route based at the Fourway Coaches site at Cleckheaton. This is an exciting opportunity to bring Go-Ahead’s innovation, high quality service delivery and zero-emission bus expertise to the West Yorkshire community.
Go North West completes landmark phase one of Bee Network
Go North West, in partnership with Transport for Greater Manchester, has successfully completed tranche three of the Bee Network. The Bee Network, the UK’s first franchised bus system outside London, launched in September 2023, with Go North West chosen to deliver the first two major contracts in Bolton and Wigan. This marked one of the most complex and ambitious transitions in UK bus history since deregulation 40 years ago.
With over 400 buses across four depots, including 69 electric buses, Go North West has significantly improved service reliability and punctuality, driving the Bee Network toward its goal of being a world-class service.
Leanne Irving Get to know...
Operations Manager at Go North East
What does your role with Go-Ahead entail?
I’m an Operations Manager but at the moment I’m on secondment as a General Manager. In this role, I oversee day-to-day operations, ensuring that services run smoothly and efficiently. This includes managing staff, overseeing scheduling and rotas, and making sure we meet performance and customer service targets. I also work on problem-solving and strategic planning to improve operations and keep everything running as it should.
How did you get into transport?
I didn’t necessarily plan to get into transport, but once I did, I found it really interesting.
Before joining the transport industry, I had an array of jobs and also studied drama at university. My dream when I was younger was to be on the big screen, but then I found myself driving behind one!
I started as a driver and worked my way up. I developed a real appreciation for how much goes into keeping public transport reliable and efficient. I then became an Operations Manager where I developed the skills that have prepared me for my current secondment as a General Manager.
What advice would you give to someone starting a career in the industry?
Be adaptable and willing to learn. Transport is fast-paced and things can change quickly, so flexibility is key. Take the time to understand the
different roles within the industry as having a broad perspective helps in any position. And finally, build strong relationships with colleagues; teamwork is crucial in keeping everything running smoothly.
What do you enjoy most about your role?
I like the challenge of problemsolving and making sure everything runs efficiently. There’s also a lot of satisfaction in seeing a plan come together, whether it’s improving a schedule, supporting staff or just making sure passengers have a smooth journey.
What are your hobbies?
Spending time with my dog, Kallie, is a big one – she keeps me on my toes!
I also enjoy going to the gym, and when I have the time, I like getting out and exploring new places. I’ve recently just came back from Italy and would love to visit more of the Greek Islands.
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be?
Dollywood!
What is your go-to comfort food?
Something as simple as a good pizza.
What skill or hobby would love to learn?
I’d love to get better at something creative, maybe photography or painting. Or even learning another language – something useful for travel.
Do you have a favourite book, movie, or TV show?
My favourite films are Beaches and Mrs Doubtfire.
What has been the highlight of your career so far?
I think the highlight of my career to date was my award nomination for Manager of the Year at the Route One Awards in 2024. It was both an honour and a privilege to have received such a prestige nomination so early on in my management career.
