Go-Ahead named ‘most admired’ transport company

Go-Ahead has been recognised as the ‘most admired’ transport operator in the UK according to an influential report on corporate reputation.

Britain’s Most Admired Companies (BMAC) asks board-level representatives, financial analysts and city commentators to rate companies in their sector on a sliding scale of 0 (poor) to 10 (excellent).

Go-Ahead received the highest mark in seven of the 13 categories, including ‘commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion’, ‘capacity to innovate’, and ‘ability to attract, develop and retain top talent’.

It was the only transport company of 11 surveyed to receive a minimum 7 out of 10 score in every single category.

Go-Ahead Chief Executive Christian Schreyer said: “We’re pleased to have this recognition from our peers, showing our underlying strengths and values. It demonstrates our leadership in innovation and in attracting and developing talent.

“We believe our workforce should reflect the communities we serve. We’re especially pleased for our high score for ‘diversity, equity and inclusion’ as it reflects our continuing efforts to change the face of the transport industry and develop talent from all walks of life.”

Go-Ahead’s diversity, inclusion and equity initiatives include:
• An award-winning apprenticeship scheme, with more than 1,000 new recruits hired in 2021
• Female train driver recruitment campaigns. 40% of train drivers recruited in GTR in 2021 were female
• A ‘Women in Bus’ network – with a goal to have 20% female representation in bus by 2025. The national average is 11%
• Menopause awareness sessions offered to colleagues
• Trained mental health first aiders in all UK and Irish operating companies

Go-Ahead’s innovations include:
• Tap-On, Tap-Off technology now available on half its buses outside London, in addition to contactless payment now available on its entire fleet
• Hybrid buses that operate in zero emissions mode in Brighton and Hove’s clean air zone, using geo-fencing technology
• Solar panel technology on buses in Southampton and Singapore, on bus stops in Newcastle and on bus and rail depots in the UK and Germany
• A proof-of-concept incubator programme that helps start-up companies test their transport products. This enabled the ‘Passenger Assistance’ app that allows disabled passengers to request services needed to complete their journeys (now an industry standard)
• Air filtering buses in Southampton that clean the air as they travel