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Kinetic expands globally following completion of Go-Ahead acquisition

Kinetic says it plans to continue growing in both Australia and Europe following its latest major acquisition

Australasian-based bus operator Kinetic is set to expand its global leadership in sustainable busing after completing the acquisition of UK-based Go-Ahead Group under a joint venture arrangement.

The transformative acquisition was completed under a consortium with Globalvia Inversiones.

With more than 27,000 employees and a fleet of more than 6,000 buses across the UK, Ireland, Sweden and Singapore, Go-Ahead is responsible for a quarter of London’s buses for Transport for London. The company also operates rail services in the UK, Norway and Germany.

Go-Ahead has taken significant steps towards decarbonising its business and is now one of London’s largest operators of electric buses. Go-Ahead operates 3,700 low and zero emission electric buses, including over 300 battery electric buses (BEB). The company will shortly begin operating its first hydrogen buses in area around London’s Gatwick airport.

The acquisition will see Kinetic more than double its existing fleet and expand its capabilities, transforming Kinetic into a global, multi-modal owner and operator delivering essential public transport services.

Kinetic is currently the largest bus operator in Australia and New Zealand with almost 5,000 buses in its fleet. Kinetic’s ambition is to reach 100 per cent net zero emissions by 2035.

Kinetic’s JV partner in Go-Ahead, Globalvia, is a global leading manager of transport infrastructure concessions, specialising in highways and railways and is recognised for sustainability and innovation.

With complementary cultures, values and operating philosophies, as well as a shared commitment to market leadership, growth and innovation, the acquisition gives all three businesses the chance to share best-in-class knowledge and technology and pursue new business opportunities together across the globe.

While Go-Ahead will remain a standalone business, Kinetic and Globalvia are committed to facilitating the transition of Go-Ahead’s bus fleet from diesel to zero emission technology under Go-Ahead’s existing strategy, and partnering with governments to reach a zero emission public transport status. This is in line with Kinetic’s own decarbonisation commitments and its mission to provide cleaner and greener bus travel for a sustainable future.


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Kinetic and Globalvia’s bid comprised 1,450 pence (A$25.41) a share in cash and a special dividend of 100 pence equating to total consideration of £669 million (A$1.17 billion) funded via a combination of shareholder equity and debt facilities sourced in the UK.

“This acquisition significantly enhances the scale and scope of our operations as a multi-modal, mass transit platform,” Kinetic Co-CEO Michael Sewards says.

“Together with Globalvia and the Go-Ahead team, we are combining significant bus operations, infrastructure solutions and decarbonisation expertise. Kinetic is well-positioned to provide support and patient capital to facilitate the rapid electrification of Go-Ahead’s bus fleet to net zero. This is fully aligned with Kinetic’s long-term strategic focus for Australia and New Zealand to have the first fully electric bus fleet in Australasia by 2035.”

Go-Ahead CEO Christian Schreyer says: “This transaction sees the leading electric vehicles operators in the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand come together. I am very confident about the future for Go-Ahead under the ownership of Kinetic and Globalvia.”

“The consortium will support our existing management and leadership team to accelerate the delivery of Go-Ahead’s ‘Next Billion Journeys’ growth strategy, and to become a net zero company.”

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