Go-Ahead sells its Meteor operations

Go-Ahead sells its Meteor operations

2 September 2010

Go-Ahead Group plc announces the unconditional share sale of its Meteor operations for a total cash consideration of approximately £11m.

All of Meteor except the Nikaro security business has been sold to Vinci Park Services (VPS), and Nikaro has been sold to Securitas Mobile.

These transactions virtually complete the rationalisation of the Group's aviation services division, following the sale of the majority of our ground handling and cargo operations earlier in the year and the transfer of most of our remaining ground handling operations at Heathrow Terminal 1 to Menzies on 1 October 2010.

Keith Ludeman, Group Chief Executive of Go-Ahead said: "I would like to thank all of our employees for their hard work and contribution to Go-Ahead, and I wish them well for the future. We are delighted that Meteor Parking and Nikaro will form part of the future business of Vinci and Securitas. These are strong new owners, who will further develop each business."

Mark Evans, Chief Executive of VINCI Park UK, said: "The acquisition of Meteor creates the opportunity to expand in sectors where VPS are already present and grow platforms in new sectors. VPS has a strong reputation for working closely with clients and investing in existing and new service. This, coupled with the experience of the Meteor team, will mean opportunities for clients and employees alike".

Andrew Natt, Managing Director for Securitas Mobile UK and Ireland commented: "We are extremely pleased and excited about our acquisition of Nikaro. It will not only add value to our existing response business, but it will also allow us to extend our branch network throughout the UK, helping us to provide a more localised security presence in more remote areas which have previously been more of a challenge to service. At Securitas Mobile we are very proud of our specialisation in Mobile security, and intend to continue developing expertise in our particular niche of the market, which we feel our acquisition of Nikaro will only help us to do."

Go-Ahead today announced its preliminary results for the year ended 3 July 2010.

Ends

For further information, please contact:

The Go-Ahead Group

Catherine Garland, Group Communications and Investor Relations Manager 0207 821 3929

Samantha Hodder, Group Communications Director 0207 821 3928

Citigate Dewe Rogerson

Michael Berkeley, Chris Barrie, Angharad Couch 0207 638 9571

Notes to editors

Go-Ahead

Go-Ahead is a leading UK public transport operator, providing high quality services in the bus and rail sectors. Employing around 22,500 people across the country, 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 and are proud to have been awarded the Carbon Trust Standard after taking action on climate change. 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 3,800 buses, we carry, on average, around 1.7 million passengers every day. Our operations are focused on high density commuter markets. We have a strong presence in London, with around 21% market share, where we provide regulated services for TfL. We operate deregulated services in the Oxford, the South East, Southern and North East England. We also have a yellow school bus joint venture in North America.

RAIL

The rail operation, Govia, is 65% owned by Go-Ahead and 35% by Keolis. It is the busiest rail operation in the UK, responsible for nearly 30% of all UK passenger rail journeys through its three rail franchises: Southern (which includes the Gatwick Express), Southeastern and London Midland. In December 2009, Southeastern began operating the UK's first high speed domestic rail service between Kent and London, significantly reducing journey times.