TWO of the UK’s biggest transport firms continued to weather the recession today after revealing solid trading in their bus and rail operations.
Arriva said revenues at its CrossCountry rail franchise improved over the last 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 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 shares opened 2% higher, while Go-Ahead rose 1%.
Sunderland-based Arriva employs more than 44,000 people and provides transport services in 12 European countries. Go-Ahead, which is based in Newcastle, has 27,000 staff and operates a fleet of 3,500 buses.
