Go-Ahead Group PLC Go-Ahead wins first contract in Australia

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Go-Ahead Group PLC

14 December 2018

The Go-Ahead Group plc First Floor, 4 Matthew Parker Street, London SW1H 9NP Telephone [phone]

Press Release

14 December 2018

Go-Ahead wins first contract in Australia

   --     Partnership with Network Rail Consulting brings UK rail expertise to New South Wales 

-- Digital Systems Program will improve rail frequency and reliability for passengers of Sydney Trains

   --     Contract win takes Go-Ahead into a sixth country 

The Go-Ahead Group, as part of the Network Rail Consulting team, is pleased to announce that it has been awarded a contract for the role of Systems Integrator for the Digital Systems Program for Sydney for Transport for NSW (TfNSW).

This is the first contract that Go-Ahead has won in Australia and its tenth international contract in total - a figure that has doubled over the last year. As well as its UK rail and bus operations, Go-Ahead currently operates in Ireland and Singapore and has won contracts in Norway and Germany.

The Digital Systems Program will replace existing signalling and train control systems with modern, internationally-proven intelligent technology. It enables more trains on the track and therefore a higher frequency of reliable services for passengers of Sydney Trains.

Through its Thameslink network, Go-Ahead was the first operator in the world to operate passenger services using Automatic Train Operation (ATO) over a European Train Control System (ECTS) signalling system. This expertise will be applied by Go-Ahead in this contract.

Go-Ahead Chief Executive, David Brown, said: "We are delighted to have won our first contract in Australia and with the continued roll-out of our international expansion strategy. This is a project which will utilise Go-Ahead's skills in preparing for future transport needs and it is pleasing to see that there is international demand for UK expertise in implementing rail technology.

Having been involved in the UK's Digital Rail programme, Go-Ahead recognises the opportunities that digitisation brings in transforming rail operations for the 21(st) century. We look forward to using our experience to help enable TfNSW and Sydney Trains implement this technology within their operations."

- Ends -

Notes to editors

For more information please contact:

Go-Ahead press office

[e-mail]

020 7799 8999

Citigate Dewe Rogerson

Michael Berkeley / Angharad Couch / Toby Moore

020 7638 9571

More info:

   --     The Digital Systems Program consists of three main elements: 

o Replacing trackside signalling equipment with the latest ETCS Level 2 technology;

o Implementing Automatic Train Operation (ATO), which will be used to assist drivers - who will still remain in control - and provide faster and more consistent journey times; and

o Introducing a Traffic Management System (TMS) for more effective incident management and service regulation across the network.

-- ATO will assist drivers - who will still remain in control - to provide faster and more consistent journey times, but providing a degree of automation to acceleration and braking, similar to systems in widespread use at metro systems

-- ATO is the cutting-edge system that allows us to run our high-intensity Thameslink service of up to 24 trains/hr

-- Go-Ahead's train operation business, Govia, is the largest maintainer of mainline rolling stock in the UK

About Go-Ahead

Go-Ahead is a leading UK public transport operator, providing high quality services in the bus and rail sectors. Employing around 28,000 people, over one billion passenger journeys are undertaken on our services each year. We are committed to operating our companies in a safe, socially and environmentally responsible way. In addition to the travelling public, our customers include the Department for Transport, Transport for London (TfL) and local authorities.

Bus

Go-Ahead is one of the UK's largest bus operators. With a fleet of around 5,200 buses, we carry over two million passengers every day. Our operations are focused on high density commuter markets. We have a strong presence in London, with around 23 per cent market share, where we provide regulated services for TfL. Outside London, we operate services in Oxford, East Anglia, the South East, Southern and north-east England. Internationally, we operate bus services in Singapore and Ireland.

Rail

The rail operation, Govia, is 65 per cent owned by Go-Ahead and 35 per cent by Keolis. It is the largest rail operation in the UK, responsible for over 30 per cent of all UK passenger rail journeys through its rail franchises: GTR (Govia Thameslink Railway) and Southeastern.

Disclaimer

Certain statements included in this press release contain forward-looking information concerning the Group's strategy, operations, financial performance or condition, outlook, growth opportunities or circumstances in the sectors or markets in which the Group operates. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve uncertainty because they depend of future circumstances, and relate to events, not all of which are within the Group's control or can be produced by the Group. Although the Group believes that the expectations reflected

in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, no assurance can be given that such expectations will prove to have been correct. Nothing in this press release should be construed as a profit forecast and no part of these results constitutes, or shall be taken to constitute, an invitation or inducement to invest in The Go-Ahead Group plc or any other entity, and must not be relied upon in any way in connection with any investment decision. Except as required by law, the Group undertakes no obligation to update any forward looking statement.

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December 14, 2018 04:19 ET (09:19 GMT)