FirstGroup#Operations

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| image1 = Badgerline bus 5531 (EWS 739W), 2011 Bristol Vintage Bus Group open day.jpg

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| footer = Preserved Badgerline and Grampian Regional Transport buses; these companies merged to form FirstBus in April 1995}}

FirstGroup originated within the deregulation of bus services in the United Kingdom in 1986, whereby private companies purchased nationalised and municipal bus operators.{{cite web |url = http://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/RP99-59/RP99-59.pdf |title = RESEARCH PAPER 99/59 |website = parliament.uk/ |date = 8 June 1999 |access-date = 25 March 2015}} During September 1986, the Somerset based services of the Bristol Omnibus Company that were rebranded in 1985 as Badgerline were purchased in a management buyout. As Badgerline Group, it expanded through acquisition purchasing other formerly nationalised bus companies in England and Wales.{{cite web |url = http://www.passengertransport.co.uk/2015/08/the-badger-is-back-on-the-buses/ |title = The badger is back in the West of England |date = 12 August 2015 |publisher = Passenger Transport |access-date = 3 April 2016 |archive-date = 19 April 2016 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160419114656/http://www.passengertransport.co.uk/2015/08/the-badger-is-back-on-the-buses/ |url-status = dead }}

In January 1989, Grampian Regional Transport, the bus operator in Aberdeen owned by Grampian Regional Council, was privatised in a management buyout led by its then general manager, Moir Lockhead.{{cite web |url = http://www.railwaypeople.com/rail-news-articles/andy-milne-talks-to-moir-lockhead-chief-executive-of-first-group-1030.html |title = Interview with Moir Lockhead |publisher = railwaypeople.com |date = 11 April 2006}} As GRT Bus Group, it expanded through acquisition purchasing six former nationalised bus companies in England and Scotland.{{cite news |title = Men in lemon celebrate First's 20 years|newspaper = Buses |issue = 648 |date = March 2009 |publisher = Ian Allan Publishing}} During April 1995, FirstBus was formed through the merger of the Badgerline and GRT Bus Groups, with fleets in England, Wales and Scotland. The former King Street Barracks site in Aberdeen was selected as the headquarters.{{cite web |url = https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/badgerline-links-with-grt-1614291.html |title = Badgerline links with GRT |work = The Independent |date = 5 April 1995}} At the time of the merger, FirstBus had 5,600 buses, 4,000 of which came from Badgerline. Badgerline's Trevor Smallwood became chairman of FirstBus, while GRT head Moir Lockhead became deputy chairman and chief executive.

Throughout the late 1990s, FirstBus continued its policy of growth by acquisition. To this end, it acquired several former council owned operations and companies formerly owned by English, Welsh and Scottish nationalised operators. FirstBus went on to acquire larger urban metropolitan operators by taking advantage of the privatisation of the PTE bus operations and the privatisation of London bus services. FirstBus acquired GM Buses North in Manchester and Strathclyde Buses in Glasgow in 1996, Mainline in South Yorkshire and CentreWest in London in 1997, and Capital Citybus in London in 1998.

File:Plymouth railway station (28976925648).jpg trains at Plymouth in 2018]]

During December 1997, the company was renamed FirstGroup. This change was due to the company's entry in February 1996 into Britain's recently privatised railways, having a 24.5% shareholding in Great Western Holdings that won the Great Western and North Western franchises, and a 100% shareholding in First Great Eastern that ran the Great Eastern franchise from January 1997. In March 1998, FirstGroup purchased the 75.5% shares in Great Western Holdings that it did not already own and rebranded the franchises First Great Western and First North Western.{{cite press release |url = http://www.dft.gov.uk/press/releases/sra/1998/75millionofadditionalpasseng1212 |title = £75m of additional passenger benefits agreed with FirstGroup |publisher = Department for Transport |date = 6 March 1998 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070206063132/http://www.dft.gov.uk/press/releases/sra/1998/75millionofadditionalpasseng1212 |archive-date = 6 February 2007 |df = dmy-all }}{{cite press release |url = http://www.dft.gov.uk/press/releases/sra/1998/conditionsmetforfirstgroupta1262 |title= Conditions met for FirstGroup takeover of Great Western |publisher = Department for Transport |date = 30 March 1998 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070206063115/http://www.dft.gov.uk/press/releases/sra/1998/conditionsmetforfirstgroupta1262 |archive-date = 6 February 2007 |df = dmy-all }}{{cite web |url = http://www.firstgroup.com/assets/pdfs/investors/annual_reports/1999_annual_report.pdf |title = FirstGroup Annual Report 31 March 1999 |publisher = FirstGroup }}{{dead link|date=September 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}

In September 1998, FirstGroup made its first overseas foray when New World First Bus commenced operating bus services in Hong Kong formerly operated by China Motor Bus; the company held a 26% shareholding in the joint venture.[https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/uk-bus-operator-wins-pounds-55m-franchise-1153789.html UK bus operator wins £55m franchise] The Independent 1 April 1998 During May 2000, FirstGroup sold its shares to joint venture partner New World Development.{{cite web |url = http://www.nws.com.hk/html/eng/about/milestones.aspx?hidden_params01=MHgMw6YMDDDVurs5kj5QvIObTrowNI6xoxUYvHvUQqs9Y9UFju3udQ6Gk6awBU2TKx7U8JF2asqvh9V6idzADg%3D%3D&hidden_params02=MHgMw6YMDDDVurs5kj5QvAdscwlD4S5Aei4keMyMuBTG6%2F6gJz9mt1%2FE51PrS8Ud¶ms01=MHgMw6YMDDDVurs5kj5QvIObTrowNI6xoxUYvHvUQqs9Y9UFju3udQ6Gk6awBU2TKx7U8JF2asqvh9V6idzADg%3D%3D¶ms02=MHgMw6YMDDDVurs5kj5QvAdscwlD4S5Aei4keMyMuBTG6%2F6gJz9mt1%2FE51PrS8Ud |title = Milestones 2000 |publisher = NWS Holdings Limited}} In September 1999, FirstGroup purchased Ryder Public Transport Services, a provider of school bus and contracted public bus transportation in the United States. In May 2000, FirstGroup began operating the London Tramlink concession under contract to Transport for London.{{cite news |url = http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BQQ/is_6_40/ai_63674952 |title = Croydon Tramlink Light Rail Network |date = June 2000 |work = International Railway Journal |location = London}}

File:312718 and 312721 at Kirby Cross.JPG Class 312 at Kirby Cross in March 2004]]

During August 2003, FirstGroup purchased GB Railways, which owned Anglia Railways and GB Railfreight and held 80% of the shares in Hull Trains.{{cite web |url = http://www.firstgroup.com/latest_news/?id=003551 |title = GB Rail Offer Unconditional |publisher = FirstGroup |date = 14 August 2003 |archive-url = https://archive.today/20131004215148/http://www.firstgroup.com/latest_news/?id=003551 |archive-date = 4 October 2013 }} Having not been shortlisted for the Greater Anglia franchise, this outcome gave FirstGroup another chance to bid. However, it too was unsuccessful and the franchise was awarded to the rival transport company National Express from April 2004, including the services operated by First Great Eastern.{{cite web |url = http://www.dft.gov.uk/press/releases/sra/2003a1/2003b/uncedpreferedbidderforne1217.pdf |archive-url = http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20090825141633/http://www.dft.gov.uk/press/releases/sra/2003a1/2003b/uncedpreferedbidderforne1217.pdf |url-status = dead |archive-date = 25 August 2009 |title = National Express Group Announced as Preferred Bidder for new Greater Anglia Franchise}} In November 2003, FirstGroup purchased a 90% shareholding in Irish coach operator Aircoach.{{cite web |url = http://www.aircoach.ie/news.article.php?ID=8 |title = Aircoach Announces 15m Euro Deal |publisher = aircoach.ie |date = 7 November 2003 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071118200825/http://aircoach.ie/news.article.php?ID=8 |archive-date = 18 November 2007 }}

In February 2004, FirstGroup's joint venture with Keolis commenced operating the First TransPennine Express rail franchise, FirstGroup having a 55% shareholding in the venture.{{cite web |url = http://http%3a/www.dft.gov.uk/press/releases/sra/2003a1/2003b/nnouncepreferredbidderfo1524.pdf |title = SRA Announce Preferred Bidder for TransPennine Express Franchise |publisher = Strategic Rail Authority |date = 28 July 2003 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131215041124/http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20090826025317/http%3A/www.dft.gov.uk/press/releases/sra/2003a1/2003b/nnouncepreferredbidderfo1524.pdf |archive-date = 15 December 2013 |access-date = 13 April 2024 |url-status = bot: unknown }}{{cite web |url = http://www.keolis.com/en/business-activities/keolis-by-country/united-kingdom/impression.html?no_cache=1 |title = Keolis in the UK |publisher = Keolis SA |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140107221528/http://www.keolis.com/en/business-activities/keolis-by-country/united-kingdom/impression.html?no_cache=1 |archive-date = 7 January 2014 }} During April 2004, FirstGroup commenced operating the First Great Western Link franchise,{{cite web |url = http://www.sra.gov.uk/news/20031104_preferred_bidder_announced_for_thames_franchise.tt2 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20031202235927/http://www.sra.gov.uk/news/20031104_preferred_bidder_announced_for_thames_franchise.tt2 |title = Preferred Bidder Announced for New Thames Trains Franchise |publisher = Strategic Rail Authority |date = 4 November 2003|archive-date=2 December 2003}} it also commenced the First ScotRail franchise in October 2004.{{cite web |url = https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/2887785/FirstGroup-clinches-Scottish-rail-franchise.html |title = FirstGroup clinches Scottish rail franchise |publisher = The Daily Telegraph |date = 12 June 2004}} In December 2004, the remainder of First North Western passed to Northern Rail, some services having already been transferred to Arriva Trains Wales and FirstTranspennine Express.{{cite web |url = http://www.serco.com/Images/010704NorthernRailFranchisePressRelease_tcm3-2158.pdf |title = Serco joint venture selected as preferred bidder for Northern Rail train operating franchise |publisher = Serco Group |date = 1 July 2004 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20101127223255/http://serco.com/Images/010704NorthernRailFranchisePressRelease_tcm3-2158.pdf |archive-date = 27 November 2010 }}

During April 2006, FirstGroup commenced operating the First Capital Connect franchise{{cite web |url = http://www.gnn.gov.uk/environment/fullDetail.asp?ReleaseID=181549&NewsAreaID=2&NavigatedFromDepartment=False |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070310142714/http://www.gnn.gov.uk/environment/fullDetail.asp?ReleaseID=181549&NewsAreaID=2&NavigatedFromDepartment=False |title = Department for Transport Announces Winner of Thameslink/GN Franchise |publisher = Department for Transport |date = 13 December 2005|archive-date=10 March 2007}} and a renewed First Great Western franchise that had been expanded to include the Thames Trains and Wessex Trains franchises.{{cite web |url = http://www.dft.gov.uk/publications/greater-western-franchise/ |title = Greater Western Franchise |publisher = Department for Transport |date = 2 February 2006 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120204190029/http://www.dft.gov.uk/publications/greater-western-franchise/ |archive-date = 4 February 2012 }}{{cite web |url = http://www.tssa.org.uk/article-157.php3?id_article=2782 |title = Wessex Train Company News |publisher = Tessa |access-date = 15 July 2008 |archive-date = 11 October 2007 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071011112142/http://www.tssa.org.uk/article-157.php3?id_article=2782 |url-status = dead }}

File:Greyhound Lines 86025a.JPG Prevost coach at Toronto Coach Terminal in April 2009]]

In February 2007, FirstGroup agreed to buy the US-based firm Laidlaw, an operator of inter-city coaches and yellow school buses across North America, in exchange for £1.9 billion (US$3.7 billion). This also gave it a controlling stake in Greyhound Lines, the largest bus operator in North America. The Greyhound name and the names of Canadian subsidiaries of Greyhound Canada were retained, and all other Laidlaw-owned services in the United States and Canada were rebranded under the First or Greyhound names, except for Voyageur Colonial and Grey Goose in Canada.{{cite news |url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6345627.stm |title = FirstGroup buys Greyhound buses |work = BBC News |date = 9 February 2007}}

In January 2009, DSBFirst, FirstGroup's joint venture with Danish State Railways commenced operating the Oresundtrain rail franchise from Helsingør and Nivå in Denmark along the Kystbanen line and over the Øresund Bridge to Malmö, Växjö, Kalmar, Karlskrona and Gothenburg in Sweden. FirstGroup had a 25% shareholding in the Danish business and 20% in the Swedish business.{{cite web |url = http://www.firstgroup.com/corporate/latest_news/?id=000481 |title = FirstGroup starts operations in Scandinavia |publisher = FirstGroup |date = 12 January 2009 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090317214506/http://www.firstgroup.com/corporate/latest_news/?id=000481 |archive-date = 17 March 2009 }} By March 2011, this shareholding had increased to 30%.{{cite web |url = http://www.firstgroupplc.com/~/media/Files/F/Firstgroup-Plc/reports-and-presentations/reports/new/2011_annual_report.pdf |title = FirstGroup Annual Report and Accounts 2011 |website = FirstGroup |page = 92}}

During June 2009, FirstGroup made a takeover offer for fellow transport operator National Express, which was struggling with debt at the time and was struggling to hold onto its National Express East Coast rail franchise.{{cite news |url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8128430.stm |title = Q&A: National Express and East Coast line |date = 1 July 2009 |access-date = 1 July 2009 |work = BBC News |publisher = BBC |archive-date = 30 November 2020 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201130005414/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8128430.stm |url-status = live}}{{cite news |last = Milmo |first = Dan |date = 1 July 2009 |title = £30bn shortfall threatens rail and road plans |work = The Guardian |location = London |url = https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2009/jul/01/transport-east-coast-mainline-nationalised |access-date = 1 July 2009}} This offer was rejected; a National Express spokesperson stated that it did not "consider it appropriate" at the time to discuss a takeover. FirstGroup believed that there was "significant industrial and commercial logic" for a merger, but National Express wished to focus on its own initiatives.{{cite news |title = National Express turns down bid |url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8123717.stm |work = BBC News |date = 29 June 2009 |access-date = 29 June 2009}}

In June 2010, FirstGroup sold its railfreight business First GBRf to the Eurotunnel Group in exchange for £31 million,{{cite press release |url = http://www.tradingmarkets.com/news/stock-alert/fgrof_firstgroup-plc-disposal-956775.html |title = FirstGroup plc: Disposal of rail freight business |publisher = FirstGroup |date = 1 June 2010 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://archive.today/20120914073220/http://www.tradingmarkets.com/news/stock-alert/fgrof_firstgroup-plc-disposal-956775.html |archive-date = 14 September 2012 }}{{cite news |url = http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKTRE6500Y220100601 |archive-url = https://archive.today/20120715010651/http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKTRE6500Y220100601 |url-status = dead |archive-date = 15 July 2012 |title = Eurotunnel buys GBRf from FirstGroup |date = 1 June 2010 |work = Reuters |first = Michael |last = Rose}} ending the group's involvement in rail freight transport.{{cite news |url = http://www.railnews.co.uk/news/general/2010/06/01-first-gbrf-bought-by-eurotunnel.html |title = First GBRf bought by Eurotunnel |date = 1 June 2010 |work = Railnews |location = Stevenage}} In September 2010, former London Underground managing director Tim O'Toole, already a board member since May 2009 and chief operating officer and Deputy Chief Executive since June 2010, was announced as the successor to retiring group chief executive officer Moir Lockhead with effect from 31 March 2011.{{cite news |title = O'Toole takes over from Lockhead at FirstGroup |first = Tony |last = Miles |work = Modern Railways |location = London |date = November 2010 |page = 7}}{{cite news |title = Tim O'Toole confirmed as new FirstGroup chief executive |first = Dan |last = Milmo |work = The Guardian |date = 22 September 2010 |url = https://www.theguardian.com/business/2010/sep/22/tim-o-toole-first-grup-chief-executive}}

During September 2011, FirstGroup's German bus operations were sold to Marwyn European Transport.{{cite web |url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-15121954 |title = FirstGroup sells German bus unit |publisher = BBC News |date = 30 September 2011}} In December 2011, DSBFirst ceased operating the Swedish part of the operation after difficulties encountered by Danish State Railways over cross subsidies.{{cite web |url = http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/dsb-ceo-dismissed-over-accounting-irregularities.html |title = DSB CEO dismissed over accounting irregularities |publisher = Railway Gazette International |date = 1 April 2011}}{{cite web |url = http://www.thelocal.se/34608/20110628/ |title = Veolia takes over Öresund train services |publisher = thelocal.se |date = 28 June 2011 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111010084407/http://www.thelocal.se/34608/20110628/ |archive-date = 10 October 2011 }}{{cite web |url = http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/policy-legislation/single-view/view/veolia-takes-over-from-troubled-dsbfirst.html |title = Veolia takes over from troubled DSBFirst |publisher = Railway Gazette International |date = 28 June 2011 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121022080306/http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/policy-legislation/single-view/view/veolia-takes-over-from-troubled-dsbfirst.html |archive-date = 22 October 2012 }}

File:Bishops Lydeard Station Road - First 60918 (YG02DLJ).JPG in 2014]]

In July 2012, First Travel Solutions provided bus and coach services for the London 2012 Olympic Games as First Games Transport. This involved the provision of venue shuttle and park and ride services, services connecting the peripheral park and ride sites on the M25 with the Olympic Park and Ebbsfleet, and a nationwide network of express coaches to the Olympic Park and the Weymouth and Portland sailing venue. These services required around 900 vehicles in total, although some were sub-contracted.{{cite press release |title = Statement re Bus and Coach contract at London 2012 Games |url = http://www.firstgroup.com/corporate/latest_news/?id=005071 |archive-url = https://archive.today/20110629105637/http://www.firstgroup.com/corporate/latest_news/?id=005071 |url-status = dead |archive-date = 29 June 2011 |publisher = FirstGroup |date = 15 February 2010 |access-date = 16 April 2010 }} During June 2013, most of the First London bus operations were sold to Go-Ahead London, Metroline and Tower Transit.{{cite web |url = http://www.firstgroup.com/corporate/latest_news/?id=009241 |title = FirstGroup Announces Sale of Eight London Bus Depots |publisher = FirstGroup |date = 9 April 2013 |access-date = 21 June 2013 |archive-date = 5 November 2013 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131105122627/http://www.firstgroup.com/corporate/latest_news/?id=009241 |url-status = dead }}

In April 2015, FirstGroup was unsuccessful in bidding for the ScotRail franchise, which was run by Abellio ScotRail until the end of that franchise in March 2022. During December 2015, FirstGroup was awarded the next TransPennine Express franchise.{{cite magazine |url = http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/passenger/single-view/view/northern-and-transpennine-express-franchises-awarded.html |title = Northern and TransPennine Express franchises awarded |magazine = Railway Gazette International |date = 9 December 2015}} The new franchise commenced on 1 April 2016 with a commitment to introduce new trains, routes and faster journey times.{{cite web |url = https://www.railmagazine.com/news/rail-features/tpe-s-new-trains |title = TPE's new trains |publisher = railmagazine.com |first = Richard |last = Clinnick |date = 26 August 2019 |access-date = 21 October 2020 |archive-date = 23 October 2020 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201023133434/https://www.railmagazine.com/news/rail-features/tpe-s-new-trains |url-status = live }}

During October 2016, First Transit commenced operating the A-train under contract to the Denton County Transportation Authority, its first rail operation in the United States.{{cite web |url = http://otp.investis.com/clients/uk/first_group/rns/regulatory-story.aspx?cid=858&newsid=763817 |title = FirstGroup signs first US rail commuter contract |publisher = FirstGroup |date = 20 July 2016}}{{cite web |url = http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/passenger/single-view/view/firstgroup-awarded-its-first-us-rail-contract.html |title = FirstGroup awarded its first US rail contact |publisher = Railway Gazette International |date = 21 July 2016}} In August 2017, FirstGroup's joint venture with MTR Corporation commenced operating the South Western franchise, the company holding a 70% shareholding in the South Western Railway.{{cite web |url = http://www.londonstockexchange.com/exchange/news/market-news/market-news-detail/FGP/13171647.html |title = FirstGroup and MTR welcome South Western rail franchise award |publisher = London Stock Exchange |date = 27 March 2017 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180626083149/http://www.londonstockexchange.com/exchange/news/market-news/market-news-detail/FGP/13171647.html |archive-date = 26 June 2018 }}{{cite news |last1 = Gerrard |first1 = Bradley |title = Rail fares set to be capped between London and Exeter |url = https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2017/08/18/rail-fares-set-capped-london-exeter/ |archive-url = https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2017/08/18/rail-fares-set-capped-london-exeter/ |archive-date = 12 January 2022 |url-access = subscription |url-status = live |access-date = 29 August 2017 |work = The Telegraph |date = 18 August 2017}}{{cbignore}}

In May 2019, FirstGroup announced its intention to sell its UK bus operations and that its US activities were to receive greater attention in the future.{{cite web |url = https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/may/30/firstgroup-to-sell-greyhound-as-it-bows-to-activist-investors |title = FirstGroup confirms sale of UK bus division to focus on US business |work = The Guardian |date = 30 May 2019}} However, the only sales completed were parts of First Greater Manchester to the Go-Ahead Group and Rotala.{{cite web |url = https://www.go-ahead.com/en/media/news/2019/go-ahead-agrees-terms-with-firstgroup-to-purchase-manchester-bus.html |title = Go-Ahead agrees terms with FirstGroup to purchase Manchester bus depot |publisher = Go-Ahead Group |date = 19 February 2019 |access-date = 26 June 2019}}{{cite web |url = https://www.diamondbuses.com/news/dbnw-expanding/ |title = DBNW Expanding | Diamond Bus |website = www.diamondbuses.com |access-date = 9 September 2020}}

File:First 36531 BK73 AEV.jpg Wright StreetDeck Electroliner in Norwich in October 2023]]

In May 2020, FirstGroup announced it has effectively reversed its previous strategy, opting to retain its UK bus operations and instead sell its assets in North America.{{cite magazine |title = FirstGroup issues Winter 2020 trading statement as sell-off of US operations announced |magazine = Coach & Bus Week |issue = 1436 |date = 17 March 2020 |page = 11}} In April 2021, FirstGroup agreed terms to sell the First Student and First Transit businesses to EQT; the sale completed later in 2021.{{cite magazine |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210423100404/https://cbwmagazine.com/firstgroup-to-focus-operations-on-the-uk-as-first-student-and-first-transit-sold/ |url = https://cbwmagazine.com/firstgroup-to-focus-operations-on-the-uk-as-first-student-and-first-transit-sold/ |title = FirstGroup to focus operations on the UK as First Student and First Transit sold |magazine = Coach & Bus Week |date = 23 April 2021|archive-date=23 April 2021}}{{cite magazine |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210423185733/https://www.metro-magazine.com/10141925/firstgroup-enters-agreement-to-sell-first-student-first-transit |url = https://www.metro-magazine.com/10141925/firstgroup-enters-agreement-to-sell-first-student-first-transit |title = FirstGroup Plans to Sell First Student, First Transit for $4.6 Billion |magazine = Metro |date = 23 April 2021|archive-date=23 April 2021}}{{cite web |title = Our history |url = https://www.firstgroupplc.com/about-firstgroup/our-history.aspx |access-date = 11 November 2021 |website = www.firstgroupplc.com |language = en}}

During October 2021, FirstGroup announced the sale of Greyhound Lines to Flixbus, completing its stated divestments to focus on its core UK public transport businesses.{{cite web |title = Sale of Greyhound Lines, Inc. |url = https://otp.tools.investis.com/clients/uk/first_group/rns/regulatory-story.aspx?cid=858&newsid=1519026 |access-date = 23 October 2021 |website = otp.tools.investis.com}} In October 2021, the open-access operator Lumo commenced operating services on the East Coast Main Line.{{cite web |url = http://orr.gov.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/21885/2016-05-12-ecml-decision-letter.pdf |title = Applications for the East Coast Main Line |publisher = Office of Rail & Road |date = 12 May 2016}}{{cite web |url = https://inews.co.uk/news/lumo-trains-london-edinburgh-electric-20-high-speed-1264631 |title = Low-cost electric rail operator Lumo launches between London and Edinburgh |work = The Independent |first = Sophie |last = Lam |date = 25 October 2021}}

In June 2022, FirstGroup's board unanimously rejected a £1.2bn takeover proposal from US private equity firm I Squared Capital; a spokesperson stated that the offer had undervalued the company.{{cite news |date = 9 June 2022 |title = FirstGroup rejects £1.2bn takeover approach from US suitor |language = en-GB |work = BBC News |url = https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-business-61745692 |access-date = 10 June 2022}}{{cite web |url = https://www.independent.co.uk/business/firstgroup-rebuffs-ps1-2bn-takeover-approach-b2097171.html |title = FirstGroup rebuffs £1.2bn takeover approach |work = The Independent |first = Holly |last = Williams |date = 9 June 2022}} While talks between the two companies continued for a further two months,{{cite web |url = https://scottishfinancialreview.com/2022/07/21/firstgroup-gets-further-takeover-talk-extension/ |title = FirstGroup Gets Further Takeover Talk Extension |publisher = scottishfinancialreview.com |date = 21 July 2022}} I Squared ultimately called off its efforts in August 2022.{{cite web |url = https://www.reuters.com/markets/deals/private-equity-firm-i-squared-says-it-does-not-intend-make-offer-firstgroup-2022-08-16/ |title = Private equity firm I Squared says it does not intend to make offer for FirstGroup |publisher = Reuters |date = 16 August 2022}}

In February 2023, FirstGroup announced that subject to regulatory approval, it would purchase both the bus services and bus dealer operations of Purfleet-based Ensignbus.{{cite news |last = Maatouk |first = Michele |url = https://www.sharecast.com/news/news-and-announcements/firstgroup-to-buy-essex-based-bus-group-ensignbus--12248744.html |work = ShareCast |title = FirstGroup to buy Essex-based bus Group Ensignbus |date = 8 February 2023 |access-date = 8 February 2023}}{{cite news |url = https://www.route-one.net/news/firstgroup-agrees-to-purchase-ensignbus-business/ |title = FirstGroup agrees to purchase Ensignbus business |work = routeone |date = 8 February 2023 |access-date = 8 February 2023}}

In January 2024, FirstGroup purchased York Pullman.{{Cite web |title=Agreement to acquire York Pullman Bus Company |url=https://otp.tools.investis.com/clients/uk/first_group/rns/regulatory-story.aspx?cid=858&newsid=1783100 |access-date=2024-10-26 |website=otp.tools.investis.com}} In October 2024, FirstGroup purchased both Lakeside Group and Anderson Travel.

In September 2024, FirstGroup purchased Grand Union's London Euston to Stirling operating rights.{{Cite web |title=First acquires Stirling-London Grand Union open access operation |url=https://www.railmagazine.com/news/2024/09/24/first-acquires-stirling-london-grand-union-open-access-operation |access-date=2024-12-05 |website=Rail|language=en}} Then in December 2024, it purchased Grand Union's other approved operating rights from London Paddington to Carmarthen.{{Cite web |title=First aims for Devon after completing Grand Union deal |url=https://www.railnews.co.uk/news/2024/12/05-first-aims-for-devon-after.html |access-date=2024-12-05 |website=Railnews}}

Also in December 2024, FirstGroup announced it has agreed terms to purchase RATP Dev Transit London from RATP Group.{{Cite web |title=FirstGroup Plc - Agreement to acquire RATP London|url=https://markets.ft.com/data/announce/detail?dockey=600-202412100200PR_NEWS_PRUKDSCL_0016-1 |access-date=2024-12-10 |website=Financial Times}}[https://web.archive.org/web/20241210095013/https://www.busandcoachbuyer.com/first-to-re-enter-london-with-ratp-dev-acquisition/ First to re-enter London with RATP Dev acquisition] Bus & Coach Buyer 10 December 2024

In January 2025, FirstGroup purchased Matthews Coach Hire.{{Cite web |last=chrispeat |date=2025-02-04 |title=FirstGroup acquires Matthews Coach Hire |url=https://www.busandcoachbuyer.com/firstgroup-acquires-matthews-coach-hire/ |access-date=2025-02-05 |website=Bus & Coach Buyer |language=en-GB}}

In May 2025, the South Western Railway train operating company was transferred to the Department for Transport owned South Western Railway, following a commitment to renationalising railway services by the Labour Government.{{cite news|url=https://www.cityam.com/south-western-railway-c2c-and-greater-anglia-to-be-nationalised-in-2025/ |title=South Western Railway, c2c and Greater Anglia to be nationalised in 2025|newspaper=City AM|date=4 December 2024|access-date=25 May 2025}}

File:Hull Trains class 802.jpg Class 802 Paragon at Doncaster in March 2024]]

FirstGroup is Britain's largest bus operator, running more than 20% of all local bus services. A fleet of nearly 9,000 buses carries some 2.9 million passengers a day in more than 40 major towns and cities. FirstGroup also runs passenger rail services in the UK. Passenger rail franchises consist of Avanti West Coast, Great Western Railway and South Western Railway. It also runs two non-franchised open access passenger operations – Hull Trains and Lumo. FirstGroup operates tram services on the London Tramlink network carrying approximately 24 million passengers per year on behalf of Transport for London.{{cite web |title = Tramlink |url = https://www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/about-tfl/what-we-do/tramlink |publisher = Transport for London |access-date = 2 March 2015}}

FirstGroup owns and operates the Aircoach service in Dublin, linking Dublin Airport with the city centre, the south side of Dublin, Greystones and Bray as well as long-distance express services runs to Cork and Belfast.{{cite web |url = http://www.firstgroup.com/corporate/our_company/aircoach.php |title = Aircoach |publisher = FirstGroup |access-date = 20 May 2008}}

File:DennisDartMarshallC37busFirstWirral.jpg bodied Dennis Dart in Bromborough in March 2007 in the original "Barbie 2" livery]]

File:SK19EOC First Glasgow 33392 ADL Enviro400MMC.jpg Alexander Dennis Enviro400 MMC at Buchanan bus station in the 2024 First bus livery]]

FirstGroup has always had a consistent brand and uses the First brand for most of its operations. FirstBus began to apply a standard corporate typeface to its fleet names in the late 1990s, introducing the stylized f logo depicting a road. A corporate white, pink and blue livery nicknamed "Barbie" was introduced to new buses, while further bus company acquisitions continued. Inherited bus fleets were initially left in their original colours with First fleet names, with the intention that the Barbie scheme would stand for a set service quality. Later older buses received a modified "Barbie 2" livery.{{cite web |url = http://www.photo-transport.co.uk/buses/first-variation/first-variation.htm |date = April 2003 |title = First Variation |access-date = 21 April 2017}}

As part of its corporate branding, First subsequently removed all local branding for its bus services, buses simply carried the 'First' brand, although each company still operated independently. In 2012, the group began to introduce a new purple, white and lilac 'Olympia' livery to its bus fleets, which also reinstated local branding.{{cite news |author= |date = 26 January 2012 |title = FirstGroup relaunches UK bus division with new local liveries |url = https://www.passengertransport.co.uk/2012/01/firstgroup-relaunches-uk-bus-division-with-new-local-liveries/ |work = Passenger Transport |access-date = 19 October 2022}}{{cite news |author= |date = 3 November 2012 |title = New livery for First York buses |url = https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/10022875.new-livery-for-first-york-buses/ |work = The Press |location = York |access-date = 19 October 2022}} In January 2014, the company rebranded its First Somerset & Avon operations in Bridgwater and Taunton as The Buses of Somerset, using a two-tone green livery.{{cite web |url = http://www.eurotransportmagazine.com/13415/news/industry-news/first-introduces-the-buses-of-somerset/ |title = First introduces The Buses of Somerset |publisher = Euro Transport |date = 30 January 2014}}{{cite web |url = http://www.busandcoach.com/newspage.aspx?id=8260&categoryid=0 |title = First drops corporate look in Somerset |publisher = Bus & Coach Professional |date = 5 February 2014 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140315041204/http://www.busandcoach.com/newspage.aspx?id=8260&categoryid=0 |archive-date = 15 March 2014 }}

The FirstGroup's bus operations were rebranded again in December 2024, adopting a new logo that replaced the one used since the formation of FirstBus in April 1995 as well as the slogan of 'Moving the Everyday'.{{cite news |last1=Peat |first1=Chris |title=First formally reveals new logo |url=https://www.busandcoachbuyer.com/first-formally-reveals-new-logo/ |access-date=9 December 2024 |work=Bus & Coach Buyer |date=9 December 2024}}{{cite news |title=New logo for First Bus is part of ongoing business overhaul |url=https://www.route-one.net/news/new-logo-for-first-bus-is-part-of-ongoing-business-overhaul/ |access-date=9 December 2024 |work=routeone |date=9 December 2024}} This coincided with the introduction of a purple and grey livery, which had already begun to be rolled out onto the group's bus fleets.{{cite news |last1=Deakin |first1=Tim |title=New Potteries paint booth helping First Bus livery transition |url=https://www.route-one.net/news/new-potteries-paint-booth-helping-first-bus-livery-transition/ |access-date=9 December 2024 |work=routeone |date=27 August 2024}}

Hull Trains carries a predominantly blue livery, including white, pink and purple. This was also used by First Great Western until 20 September 2015, when the franchise was rebranded as Great Western Railway, with a new logo and dark green livery paying homage to the original Great Western Railway.{{cite news |url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-34292550 |title = First Great Western unveils rebranded Great Western Railway trains |work = BBC News |date = 21 September 2015 |access-date = 23 September 2015}}

In Scotland, First ScotRail operated with a blue livery with white saltire markings on the carriage ends, as mandated by the Scottish Government's transport agency Transport Scotland.{{cite web |url = http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/ScotRail-25th-anniversary |title = ScotRail 25th Anniversary Publicity Materials |publisher = Transport Scotland |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100706013623/http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/ScotRail-25th-anniversary |archive-date = 6 July 2010 }}

Current operating businesses include:{{cite web |url = http://www.firstgroupplc.com/about-firstgroup/firstgroup-at-a-glance.aspx |title = At a glance |publisher = FirstGroup |access-date = 1 March 2021}}

File:FirstBus 2024.svg

In September 2022 First Bus was reorganised as follows:{{cite magazine |last1 = Hilson |first1 = Aaron |title = First Bus restructures as Government funding cuts loom in England |url = https://cbwmagazine.com/first-bus-restructures-as-government-funding-cuts-loom-in-england/ |magazine = CBW |date = 5 July 2022}}{{cite news |url = https://busandtrainuser.com/2022/07/02/a-reverse-move-for-first/ |title = A reverse move for First |publisher = busandtrainuser.com |date = 2 July 2022}}

File:Ruishton Blackbrook - First 44079 (YX58HVJ).JPG Alexander Dennis Enviro200 in Ruishton in July 2021]]

• First Aberdeen (formerly First Grampian)
• King Coaches (formerly First Aberdeen Coach Hire and Grampian Executive)
• First Glasgow (formerly First Kelvin and First Greater Glasgow)

• First Eastern Counties
• First Essex (formerly First Eastern National, First Thamesway)

• First South Yorkshire & Midlands
• First Leicester (Leicester Electric) (Formerly Leicester city bus, Leicester corporation transport)
• East Midlands Airport Carpark shuttles (First Leicester)
• First Greater Manchester (Bee Network)
• First Potteries (operating in Staffordshire and South Cheshire, formerly First PMT/PMT Limited)

File:Potteries 65032.jpg

• First South Yorkshire (formerly First Mainline)

• First West Yorkshire
• First Bradford
• First Halifax, Calder Valley & Huddersfield
• First Leeds
• First York (including the York Park & Ride)

• First Bus London

• First South West (formerly First Devon & Cornwall)
• Buses of Somerset
• First Beeline (formerly First Berkshire & The Thames Valley)
• First Hampshire & Dorset
• Truronian

• First West of England (formerly First Bristol & First Somerset & Avon)
• First Worcestershire (sometimes referred to as First Wyvern)
• First Cymru

• First Travel Solutions re-branded 2016 (formerly First Rail Support) which provides emergency and planned rail replacement transport to train operating companies using First and non-First Transport through its 24-hour control room in Clayton-le-moors Lancashire.
• First Tram operations (Tramlink) Taken over by First Group in 2017 it deals with one of the two Lite rail networks in greater London.
• Specialist Passenger Solutions
• Ensignbus
• York Pullman
• Lakeside Group{{Cite web |last=chrispeat |date=2024-10-25 |title=Lakeside Group acquired by FirstGroup |url=https://www.busandcoachbuyer.com/lakeside-group-acquired-by-firstgroup/ |access-date=2024-10-25 |website=Bus & Coach Buyer |language=en-GB}}
• Anderson Travel{{Cite web |last=chrispeat |date=2024-10-21 |title=Anderson Travel acquired by First |url=https://www.busandcoachbuyer.com/anderson-travel-acquired-by-first/ |access-date=2024-10-25 |website=Bus & Coach Buyer |language=en-GB}}

• First Northern Ireland Limited.

File:Greystones aircoach may.jpg Jonckheere SHV bodied Volvo with destination of Greystones in Shankill]]

• Aircoach (First Bus Ireland Limited)
• Matthews Coach Hire

File:Class 802 (TPE) at Newcastle Station.jpg Class 802 'Nova 1' at Newcastle in September 2020]]

• Avanti West Coast (70% shareholding)
• First Rail Stirling (former part of Grand Union)
• Great Western Railway
• Hull Trains
• London Tramlink
• Lumo
• IFS Cloud Cable Car operated on behalf of TfL

File:FirstGroup Bus in Mannheim 101 9195.jpg in Mannheim in August 2008]]

• Greyhound Canada (intercity bus services)
• Grey Goose Bus Lines
• Vancouver Island Coach Lines{{Cite web|url=https://vicoachlines.com/|title=Vancouver Island Coachlines – Your Vancouver Island Transportation Solution|access-date=9 September 2020}}
• Voyageur Colonial Bus Lines
• First Student (school, charter bus and public transit services)
• HandyDART Contract to TransLink (British Columbia) for accessible transit service in Metro Vancouver

• FirstGroup Rhein-Neckar sold September 2011 to Marwyn European Transport{{cite news |author= |date = 23 May 2007 |title = First moves in to Germany |url = http://www.busandcoach.com/newsstory.aspx?id=1373 |url-status = dead |work = Bus & Coach Professional |location = |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071213230616/http://www.busandcoach.com/newsstory.aspx?id=1373 |archive-date = 13 December 2007 |access-date = 17 January 2023}}{{cite news |date = 4 October 2011 |title = FirstGroup zieht sich aus Deutschland zurück |trans-title = FirstGroup withdraws from Germany |url = https://www.omnibusrevue.de/nachrichten/management/firstgroup-zieht-sich-aus-deutschland-zurueck-2567641 |language = de |work = OmnibusRevue |access-date = 17 January 2023}}

• New World First Bus 26% stake sold May 2000 to New World Development

• First Chester & The Wirral sold to Stagecoach Merseyside & South Lancashire in January 2013
• First Northampton ceased 14 September 2013
• First Scotland East (formerly First SMT, First Borders and First Midland Bluebird) sold to McGills in September 2022
• First London from March 1997 until September 2013, most operations sold to Go-Ahead London, Metroline and Tower Transit, remainder ceased upon expiry of contracts in September 2013
• Greyhound UK coach services between September 2009 and December 2015
• First Borders (formerly Lowland Scottish and part of the wider First Scotland East group) sold to West Coast Motors, trading as Borders Buses, on 26 March 2017.{{cite magazine |url = https://cbwmagazine.com/first-sells-scottish-border-services-to-west-coast-motors/ |title = First sells Scottish border services to West Coast Motors |magazine = Coach & Bus Week |date = 14 March 2017}}{{cite web |url = https://www.firstgroup.com/south-east-and-central-scotland/news-and-service-updates/news/sale-first-borders-west-coast-motors |title = Sale of First Borders to West Coast Motors |publisher = First Group |date = 25 March 2017 }}{{Dead link|date=April 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
• First Southampton (also known as First Cityred) ceased trading on 18 February 2023.{{cite news |url = https://www.route-one.net/news/first-bus-to-close-southampton-business-in-2023/ |title = First Bus to close Southampton business in 2023 |date = 29 November 2022 |newspaper = Route One |access-date = 19 February 2023}}
• Aircoach (Leicester to Birmingham Airport) a trial service which started in September 2023 was discontinued on 31 October 2024 due to poor passenger numbers.{{cite news |title=First Leicester to end Aircoach Birmingham Airport trial |url=https://www.route-one.net/news/first-leicester-to-end-aircoach-birmingham-airport-trial/ |access-date=12 March 2025 |work=Route One |date=27 August 2024}}
• Kernow was phased out in December 2024 alongside other local brands.{{cite magazine |title=First ends local identities |magazine=Buses |date=2025 |issue=839 |page=7}}

• Greyhound Lines (intercity bus services)
• BoltBus (a discount operator competing with Megabus)
• First Vehicle Services, which maintained vehicles for many corporations, organizations and local governments, including the other First divisions.
• First Student, sold in 2021
• First Transit, sold in 2021

File:51133180752 1a510547ce o (444042 at SOA) (XAM-E1).jpg]]

• First Great Eastern from January 1997 until April 2004, incorporated into Greater Anglia franchise subsequently operated by National Express as One
• First North Western from March 1997 until December 2004, operations split between Arriva Trains Wales, First TransPennine Express and Northern Rail
• First GBRf from August 2003 until sold in June 2010 to Eurotunnel Group, rebranded as GB Railfreight
• First Capital Connect from April 2006 until September 2014, succeeded by Govia Thameslink Railway
• First ScotRail from October 2004 until March 2015, succeeded by Abellio ScotRail & Caledonian Sleeper
• First TransPennine Express (55% shareholding) from February 2004 until March 2016, succeeded by TransPennine Express with FirstGroup having 100% ownership
• TransPennine Express from April 2016 until May 2023, superseded by government-owned TransPennine Express
• South Western Railway First/MTR (70% shareholding) from August 2017 until May 2025, succeeded by government-owned South Western Railway

• A-train, Denton County Transportation Authority commenced October 2016

• DSBFirst was a joint rail venture with Danish State Railways (30% shareholding) until 2013

{{reflist}}

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Category:Bus groups in the United Kingdom

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