FirstBus
1995 Badgerline Group plc and GRT Bus Group plc merged under FirstBus plc, the ultimate holding company of Badgerline Buses[1]
1997 Badgerline Group plc changed its name to FirstBus Group plc[2]
1996 FirstBus bought GMBN, the Greater Manchester bus operator, and Strathclyde Buses; won the Great Eastern rail franchise.
1997 FirstBus bought CentreWest, its first London bus business.
Great Western Holdings Ltd successfully tendered for the Western Region franchise. FirstGroup established its UK Rail division.
1997 FirstBus Group plc was renamed FirstGroup Holdings plc
1998 FirstGroup acquired the rest of Great Western Holdings Ltd.
1999 FirstGroup becomes the second largest operator of yellow school buses in North America
2000 FirstGroup launched the Croydon Tramlink service, the first trams in London for 50 years.
2003 Acquired GB Railways, operator of Anglia Rail, GB Rail and Hull Trains, as well as more American operations
The TransPennine Express rail franchise was awarded to a joint venture owned 55% by FirstGroup.
2004 FirstGroup won the ScotRail franchise.
2005 FirstGroup won the enlarged Greater Western franchise and the Thameslink Great Northern rail franchise, renaming it First Capital Connect.
2007 Further American purchases
2010 Opened new global headquarters in Aberdeen. Sold its rail freight services, GB Railfreight.
2013 FirstGroup exited the London bus market.
2017 FirstGroup, in partnership with MTR, is awarded the South Western rail franchise.
FirstGroup, in partnership with Trenitalia, is awarded the West Coast Partnership rail contract. This comprised Avanti West Coast, which linked London to cities and towns across England, North Wales and Scotland through intercity services on the West Coast Main Line; and West Coast Partnership Development, preparing for a new era in high speed rail.
See Also
Sources of Information
- [1] First Group