First Group

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Image:First logo.gif First Group PLC (Template:Lse) is a British transport company operating in the United Kingdom, Ireland and North America, with headquarters in Aberdeen, Scotland.

The company was formed as FirstBus in June 1995 through the merger of two bus companies, Badgerline (see First Badgerline) and GRT Bus. In 1998 the company was renamed First Group when the company moved into railways with the privatisation of British Rail. Soon after, they began operating London’s Tramlink system.

Image:First Group livery.jpg First Group has a very strong brand and most of the names of its operations begin with the word First, such as First Great Western, First Badgerline, First Eastern National and First Thamesway. First has since removed all local branding for its local bus services - buses now simply carry the fleet name ‘First’ throughout the UK. Its corporate colours are white, pink and blue, and many of its buses and trains are now liveried in these colours (though buses and trams in London retain their traditional red livery).

Image:180110 at Bath Spa.JPG During 2004, First were awarded the ScotRail franchise to run trains in Scotland, in which it already operated the lion’s share of bus services, and took over the new TransPennine Express franchise. In addition, First Great Western run the Heathrow Connect service in partnership with the BAA.

The First North Western franchise, however, was lost to Serco/NedRailways in December 2004. First North Western’s services were combined with those previously run by Arriva Trains Northern to form the new Northern Rail.

First have also lost First Great Eastern to National Express Group who operate it along with Anglia Railways and WAGN, as One Railway. In fact, they were banned from bidding for the franchise, despite being named Train Operator of the Year at the time.

New World First Bus (NWFB) of Hong Kong was jointly established and owned by the group and NWS Holdings Limited since 1998. The brand new company had successfully won the tender of 88 Hong Kong Island routes formerly operated by China Motor Bus. In late 2000, the group sold all 26% of NWFB stocks to NWS Holdings.

First own and operate the Aircoach service in Dublin, linking Dublin Airport with the Dublin southside suburbs as well as long distance runs to Cork and Belfast.

First have also recently opened Quick Park, a long stay car park at Dublin Airport, considerably undercutting Aer Rianta on price.

From 1st April 2006 First has operated a new rail franchise under the brand First Capital Connect. This comprises of the amalgamation of the existing Great Northern line of the former wagn service and the Thameslink line

In North America First Group has three divisions: First Student which runs school bus routes; First Transit which holds many city and county public transport contracts; and First Vehicle Services which maintains vehicles for many corporations, organisations and local governments, including the other First divisions.

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