Go-Ahead London

Go-Ahead London is the trading name used collectively for the London bus operations of the Go-Ahead Group. Previously trading under separate names and brands, the corporate image for the London services started to appear in August 2008.

History

The Go-Ahead Group is a large transport group based in Newcastle. Formed on the privatisation of Northern General Transport Ltd, who were part of the National Bus Company, it became "Go-Ahead Northern". Following numerous acquisitions, it now operates a large number of transport services in the UK, including bus, rail, airport and parking services.

Go-Ahead's involvement in the London bus service can be traced back to autumn 1994, where upon the privatisation of London bus services, the group purchased London Central. Two years later in 1996, London General were acquired. London General had initially been part of a management buyout, but were subsequently purchased by Go-Ahead. [ [http://www.go-ahead-london.com/about-us/page_56.html Go-Ahead London - About us] Accessed 13 August 2008.] The two companies developed in much the same way until 2006.

In September of that year, London General on behalf of Go-Ahead purchased Docklands Buses, bringing a number of extra London Buses services to the company. [ [http://www.go-ahead.com/Main.php?iCmsPageId=48 Go-Ahead Group - London Central and London General] Accessed 13 August 2008.]

The next development was in June 29 2007, when Go-Ahead acquired the bus operating part of Blue Triangle, although not retaining the heritage fleet. This purchase caused Go-Ahead to become the largest operator of buses in London, running around 16% of London Buses services, passing Arriva London.

A corporate image of Go-Ahead bus services in London started to appear in August 2008. The website gained a new "Go-Ahead London" logo [ [http://www.go-ahead-london.com/home/index.html Go-Ahead London - Homepage] Accessed 13 August 2008.] , and a number of new Scania OmniCity double deckers being delivered to Docklands Buses gained new style fleetnames. [ [http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=aV24fBYi Post image - Picture of a new style fleetname] Accessed 13 August 2008.] [ [http://www.daveheath.fotopic.net/p52614972.html Fotopic - Picture of a bus with new style fleetnames] Accessed 13 August 2008.]

Current companies

The current subsidiaries of Go-Ahead London are, in order of acquisition:
*London Central (1994)
*London General (1996)
*Docklands Buses (2006)
*Blue Triangle (2007)

ee also

*Metrobus - A bus company also owned by Go-Ahead, running services south of London.

References

External links

* [http://www.go-ahead-london.com/home/index.html Go-Ahead London website]