#firstgroup — Public Fediverse posts

#FirstGroup has reported its full-year results for 2025/26, with growth in revenue, earnings and #shareholder returns. Adjusted revenue rose 25% to £1.72bn, while adjusted operating profit was £219.4m, slightly lower due to costs linked to open access rail operations, the transfer of South Western #Railway and accounting changes. Excluding Department for #Transport contracts, operating profit increased 18%. Adjusted earnings per share rose to 20.3p from 19.4p. The group generated £73.8m in free cash flow before acquisitions and shareholder returns, invested around £190m in capital projects, mainly bus electrification, and returned £89m to shareholders. A final dividend of 5.0p per share has been proposed, taking the annual total to 7.2p. A new £100m share buyback programme has also been announced. FirstGroup expects earnings per share to remain stable in 2026/27 and forecasts around £400m of free cash generation over the next three years.
https://news.firstgroupplc.com/news/group-results-202526

I just feel it's worth congratulating #bristol council and #firstbus #firstgroup for managing to set the car park and bus fares at that precise point where it’s still cheaper for me to drive and park (not to mention massively more convenient) to get my family into town rather than getting the bus, which is presumably what they set out to do. Nice one.

FirstGroup gewinnt Milliarden‑Auftrag für den Betrieb der London Overground

#FirstGroup #Großbritannien #London #LondonOverground

https://bahnblogstelle.com/244766/firstgroup-gewinnt-milliarden-auftrag-fuer-den-betrieb-der-london-overground/

ORR rejects plans for direct London trains for Wrexham, Rochdale and Manchester passengers http://dlvr.it/TLj9Zc #FirstGroup #Liverpool #LiverpoolLimeStreet #London

First Group submit application to run London – Hereford trains http://dlvr.it/TLCVzy #Abergavenny #BristolParkway #Cwmbran #FirstGroup

First Group leases Class 222 trains for Stirling – London service ahead of 2026 start date http://dlvr.it/TL6f28 #Carlisle #Crewe #EversholtRail #FirstGroup

First Group thanks South Western Railway passengers ahead of transfer to public ownership http://dlvr.it/TKwVxR #FirstGroup #Network #RailNews #SouthWesternRailway

#FirstGroup has welcomed the Government’s plans for rail reform and the creation of Great #British #Railways (GBR), but urges safeguards to protect passengers. In its consultation response, FirstGroup stresses the need for independent regulation, continued private sector involvement, and protection of open access operators like #Lumo and #Hull #Trains. These elements, it argues, are vital to ensure competition, passenger choice, and best value for the taxpayer. The company calls for a strong passenger watchdog, fair access for non-GBR operators, and long-term investment certainty. First Rail MD Steve Montgomery emphasised that reforms must balance customer, commercial, and infrastructure needs to grow the rail sector efficiently and sustainably.
https://www.firstgroupplc.com/news-and-media/latest-news/2025/15042025.aspx

#FirstGroup only #UK #transport operator included in this year’s S&P Sustainability Yearbook
https://www.firstgroupplc.com/news-and-media/latest-news/2024/09022024.aspx

UK’s first self-driving electric bus unveiled | Daily Echo
#EVBus
#SelfDrivingBus
#SelfDrivingVehicles
#EVs
#FirstGroup
#Oxfordshire

First Group said it will analyse how people respond to autonomous buses on public roads at a business and technology park in Oxfordshire.

https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/national/23269912.uks-first-self-driving-electric-bus-unveiled/