TWO of the UK’s biggest transport firms, based in the North-East, yesterday revealed they are continuing to weather the recession after announcing solid trading in their bus and rail operations.
Sunderland-based Arriva said revenues at its Cross- Country rail franchise improved over the past six weeks, while growth in its bus division remained consistent with the performance seen in the first six months of the year.
Rival firm Go-Ahead, from Newcastle, reported revenues growth slightly ahead of expectations in its regulated and deregulated bus operations.
It added that rail franchises Southern and Southeastern were performing in line with hopes.
In a trading update ahead of its annual meeting, Go-Ahead said: ‘‘At this early stage in the financial year, we continue to assume that economic conditions will remain difficult and have not changed our expectations for the full year.’’ Arriva employs more than 44,000 people and provides transport services in 12 European countries. Go-Ahead has 27,000 staff and operates a fleet of 3,500 buses. Both are major employers in the North- East.
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