FirstGroup is a leading UK based international passenger operator. The company was formed in 1995 as FirstBus plc from the merger of two listed companies, Badgerline Group plc, based in Weston-super-Mare and GRT Bus Group plc based in Aberdeen. The name was changed to FirstGroup plc in December 1997 to reflect the further diversity of the business into rail and airport management. With a fleet of some 10,000 vehicles and over 23% market share of the UK bus market the Group is the UK's largest bus operator. FirstGroup has three core operations which comprise of UK buses, UK passenger rail franchises and US school buses and transit management. On 16th May FirstGroup announced its intention to sell its 26% stake in New World First Bus, a joint venture company running buses in Hong Kong, to the majority shareholder for £38.7 million. Through First Great Eastern Railway, First Great Western Trains and First North Western Trains, the Group is now one of the UK's largest train operators. Since 1997 it has also extended its operations into airport management with the acquisition of a majority stake in Bristol International Airport.

FirstGroup is all about QUALITY. Our aim is to provide a superior quality of service for all our customers, and a high quality return on our shareholder's investment. FirstGroup can deliver these for the following reasons. • The strength of our management and their ability to successfully transfer their skills and experience into new areas. • Our confident but considered approach to growth - either organically or through acquisition. • Our investment in quality from start to finish. • At FirstGroup quality means development of new ideas, Quality Partnerships with Government, state-of-the-art technology, industry best equipment and encouraging the skills and potential of our own people

FirstGroup is a UK based leading international passenger transport group with bus and rail operations spanning two continents. Through global investment and innovation our international presence is stronger than ever. As is our commitment to providing high quality transport services to our customers.

New 125 mph trains for First Great Western

FirstGroup employs around 50,000 people worldwide and turnover for the year to 31 March 2000 was nearly £2 billion. With a fleet of over 10,000 buses and around 23% market share the group is also the UK's largest bus operator. The Group is also one of the UK's largest train operators through First Great Eastern, First Great Western and First North Western Trains. As a significant force in both the UK bus and rail market we are uniquely placed to work with both local and national government to achieve the aspirations of the Transport White Paper.

FirstGroup has three core operations which comprise of UK buses, UK passenger rail franchises and US school buses and transit management. On 16th May FirstGroup announced its intention to sell its 26% stake in New World First Bus, a joint venture company running buses in Hong Kong, to the majority shareholder for £38.7 million. Since 1997 FirstGroup has also extended its operations into airport management with the acquisition of a majority stake in Bristol International Airport.

In the summer of 1999, FirstGroup took a major step into the American school market with two significant acquisitions, making the Group the second largest operator of student bus services in the USA.

First Student is the second largest operator of school buses in teh US, carrying over 650, 000 students across 26 states.

FirstGroup is all about quality. Our aim is to provide the best quality of service to all our customers - after all, you deserve nothing less than a first-class service.