Brief

Act as a digital partner to the Go-Ahead Group, creating and maintaining an online presence for its train operating companies

Go-Ahead is one of the UK's largest public transport companies. Almost 1 billion journeys are taken on its services every year and it is responsible for nearly 30% of all rail passenger travel in the UK. It currently holds the franchises for the Southern, Southeastern and London Midland railway networks.

Go-Ahead needed to find a digital agency that could work effectively with its range of companies. A key challenge was gaining an understanding of the business needs of a diverse set of organisations. The Group needed a digital strategy that encompassed all of its companies, but could also be tailored to each individual organisation.

Strategy & execution

We've worked closely with both the Go-Ahead Group management team and the separate operating companies to produce an approach that can cater to the needs of each organisation, while at the same time maximising the benefits of joint initiatives.

We've designed and built:

• Customer websites for individual Go-Ahead brands, including Southeastern, Southern, London Midland and Oxford Bus
• Corporate websites for Go-Ahead and Govia, its international parent company
• Online ticket purchasing solutions
• A smartcard purchase and top-up solution for the Oxford Bus Company
• Intranet applications for many Go-Ahead companies, including collaboration and productivity tools
• A website and journey planner application for Thameslink's award-winning Travel Buddy campaign.

Results

We've managed and delivered projects across the group, including co-ordinating developments that encompass multiple companies. Our solutions have helped to:

• Increase productivity
• Reduce operating costs
• Standardise disparate IT systems
• Strengthen Go-Ahead's online and offline brands
• Boost customer loyalty
• Increase online sales revenue

We have been Go-Ahead's preferred digital supplier for many years, and continue to work with operating companies like Southeastern to enhance their offering.