PASSENGER transport firm Go-Ahead has announced that David Brown will be the chief executive of its London Buses unit.

London's congestion charges have driven more passengers on to Go-Ahead's buses and the company has been working to improve the reliability of services.

The introduction of charging has also resulted in Go-Ahead, which is based in Newcastle, running extra buses on London's streets.

Mr Brown will also be an advisor to the Go-Ahead board, joining rail boss Keith Ludeman and aviation boss Richard Hunt.

As a managing director with the company, Mr Brown led the management of Go-Ahead's London divisions Central and General through a period of recent expansion.

Go-Ahead chairman Sir Patrick Brown said: "The appointment recognises the importance of London's bus services to Go-Ahead and our confidence in the future of that market."

In February, Go-Ahead, which also operates bus services in Tyne and Wear, County Durham, Oxford, and Brighton, said trading conditions remained tough for its aviation ground services business, called Aviance.

Including its rail and aviation operations, Go-Ahead transports 650 million passengers a year. Customers include Transport for London, BAA, London Underground, local authorities and the Strategic Rail Authority.

The company has been boosted by its bus division, with half-year profits up to £17.8m from £16.1m in 2001.