Go-Ahead

We support local communities by providing a vital service, while our investment in safety and security also contributes to a better quality of life for people in the areas where we operate. As well as participating in the secure stations accreditation programme, we work closely with local charities and the police to ensure our staff and customers feel safe.

Listening to our Stakeholders

We want to encourage loyalty amongst our customers, and we listen and respond to their needs. To do this we use ‘Meet the Manager’ sessions, mystery shopping, customer surveys and employee feedback.

We also pioneered the concept of the Stakeholder Board, first introduced by the Oxford Bus Company. This year, we plan to build on the Stakeholder Board model at Southern through the development of a new Community Ambassadors scheme. Drawn from existing staff, local communities, ambassadors will represent and engage with local community groups to explain the benefits of rail travel. The scheme will help to reduce social exclusion, encourage economic regeneration and deliver a railway that better reflects the communities it serves. It will also benefit our business through increased passenger numbers.

We also make various donations to charities throughout the year, in the form of financial support as well as support ‘in kind’. Many of our employees are enthusiastic volunteers and fundraisers. This year we donated almost £270,000 to various charities and community groups. A number of our community projects came to an end this year and this is reflected in a lower community spend compared to last year. We are in the process of considering plans for future community investment activities.