Go Ahead carries first passengers on major new Bavarian network

Go-Ahead has begun operating trains on a major rail network in Bavaria linking Munich with regional towns and cities including Augsburg, Wurzburg and Aalen.

A 12-year contract began on Sunday on six lines previously operated by state-owned Deutsche Bahn. The first train, from Munich to Ulm and Donauwörth, left Munich at 00:06.

The mobilisation is Go-Ahead’s fifth German contract. It marks a significant expansion to Go-Ahead’s German rail business, which employs 1,000 people in Bavaria and Baden-Wurttemberg and comprises a fleet of 144 modern electric trains.

The new network serves 71 stations and will involve running 7.6 million train kilometres annually, bringing Go-Ahead’s total German network to 20 million train kilometres annually.

Among the destinations served under the new contract are Augsburg, world renowned for its medieval canals and water towers; Ulm, which was the birthplace of Albert Einstein; and Gunzburg, a popular family destination for Legoland Germany.

Go-Ahead’s fleet of 56 new Siemens trains have:

• A top speed of 160 km/h
• Fully accessible carriages, low floors and wheelchair friendly toilets
• Flexible compartments with folding seats and spaces for pushchairs and luggage
• Air conditioning, passenger information systems and charging sockets

Under the German system, Go-Ahead operates using tracks, stations and signals owned and maintained by Deutsche Bahn. Go-Ahead, in common with other third-party operators, pays access fees to Deutsche Bahn for use of the network.

Go-Ahead operates rail services in the UK, Germany and Norway. In its home market, the company is majority owner of Govia Thameslink Railway, which accounts for one in four UK passenger rail journeys.

Under a strategy published earlier this year, The Next Billion Journeys, Go-Ahead set out ambitious plans to grow its revenue by 30% to £4 billion through expansion and home and abroad, taking advantage of modal shift to public transport driven by climate change, digitalisation and urbanisation.

Christian Schreyer, Group Chief Executive, Go-Ahead Group, said:

“This is an exciting day for Go-Ahead as it takes our rail network to new communities across southern Germany. It’s the culmination of years of work by our German team in getting trains, drivers and other colleagues in place. We’ll be working closely with Deutsche Bahn and the German authorities to deliver the best possible service to customers.”

Fabian Amini, Managing Director of Go-Ahead Bayern, said:

“We are delighted that we can offer modern and sustainable regional rail services with a brand new fleet. Today, I would like to thank my whole team - I’m proud of what they have achieved. We are all committed to, and strive for, a good and reliable quality of service.