TRANSPORT group Go-Ahead has said it remains on course for a strong set of results after seeing a continuation of trends reported in the autumn.

The bus and rail group, based in Newcastle, said it had been particularly encouraged by its bus division following strong revenues growth and lower unit costs.

Thameslink and South Central rail franchises also continued to perform well, Go-Ahead said in a trading statement yesterday.

The company said trading in October and last month built upon the trends seen in the three months to September 30, when the performance was ahead of budget.

It said: "Accordingly, the board of Go-Ahead anticipates a strong set of results for the six months ending December 31.''

In the North-East, Go-Ahead operates a number of brands including Go Wear Buses, Go Gateshead, Go Coastline, Go Northern and Easy Access, providing services in rural and urban areas of Tyne and Wear and County Durham.

It is the largest bus operator in the North-East, employing 2,152 staff, and also runs bus services in London, Oxford, Brighton, Crawley and Bournemouth.

In September, the group said problems in its aviation division which carries out ground handling at 17 airports, including Gatwick, had caused a 20 per cent fall in full year pre-tax profits to £35.3m.

The company said there had been no change in the performance of aviance, which continued to operate in difficult market conditions.