Member Article

Go-Ahead partner with French firm for Crossrail bid

A partnership between North East-based Go-Ahead Group and French transport firm Keolis has been shortlisted to bid for London’s Crossrail franchise.

Go-Ahead and Keolis currently operate three franchises together including: Southern, Southeastern and London Midland.

David Brown, Group chief executive of Go-Ahead said: “We are very pleased to be on the Crossrail shortlist and look forward to working with Keolis on a compelling bid.

“Over the coming months we will draw on our combined experience of operating high density rail networks both in the UK and abroad, and aim to demonstrate that we can meet Transport for London’s ambitions for delivering a world class service to passengers.”

The 118km Crossrail project links Berkshire and Buckinghamshire with Greater London and Essex and is the first major UK rail undertaking in a century.

It will be operated as a concession of Transport for London, the local government body responsible for the Greater London transport system.

Go-Ahead holds 35% of the joint venture and the winning bidder is expected to be announced by the end of 2014.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .