(Vienna/Berlin, 12.10.2023) - ÖBB and Go-Ahead Germany are forming a partnership of the future. ÖBB-Personenverkehr AG is taking over Go-Ahead Verkehrsgesellschaft Deutschland GmbH, which will continue to operate as an independent company. Following the signing of the purchase agreement today, the transaction is still subject to approval by the antitrust authorities, among other things, before it can be closed. The deal is expected to close end of 2023. In the meantime, there will be no changes to the current offers and timetables at Go-Ahead Germany. The parties have agreed not to disclose the purchase price.
"With the purchase of Go-Ahead Germany, ÖBB is consistently continuing its internationalization course. ÖBB is already internationally active - as the leading provider of night trains in Europe and as the second strongest freight railway in the EU, operating in 18 countries. We see good potential in southern Germany to grow even more strongly in passenger transport," says ÖBB CEO Andreas Matthä.
Go-Ahead Germany currently comprises around 1,000 employees and is an important player in local rail passenger transport with its two operating companies in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg. They provide regional train services on behalf of the state of Baden-Württemberg and the Bayerische Eisenbahngesellschaft (Bavarian Railway Company), operating a total of 144 modern electric multiple-unit trains.
Go-Ahead Germany's business territory makes for an ideal opportunity for ÖBB to enter the market and pursue future growth in Germany. German local rail passengers in particular are set to benefit from ÖBB's know-how. ÖBB Personenverkehr AG operates 4,400 local trains per day throughout Austria's network and transports around 210 million passengers on local & regional services per year.
This partnership offers opportunities for both companies.
"We consider the purchase of Go-Ahead Germany to be a future investment, which is what makes it a partnership of the future. We have a clear goal: we want to work together to grow in Germany," says Sabine Stock, who is a board member at ÖBB-Personenverkehr AG. "Go-Ahead Germany will retain its current independence while also benefiting from the experience and expertise of ÖBB-Personenverkehr AG."
"We are delighted about ÖBB's involvement, as it has a good reputation in Germany," adds Go-Ahead Germany CEO Fabian Amini. "This will secure the future of our business in Germany and position it for growth. With ÖBB as a strong partner at our side, this represents excellent prospects for our passengers, our clients and our employees.
The acquisition of Go-Ahead Germany is scheduled for the end of 2023.
The existing transport services are secure until the end of the transport contract through the takeover by ÖBB and there is the clear goal of further growth in Germany in the long term. The company will continue to operate under the existing management team.
Facts & figures about Go-Ahead Germany
Established in 2014, Go-Ahead Verkehrsgesellschaft Deutschland GmbH is a subsidiary of the UK-based Go-Ahead Group Ltd. and has two operating companies in Germany, one in Bavaria and one in Baden-Württemberg. Go-Ahead Baden-Württemberg GmbH, which has its headquarters in Stuttgart, was founded in February 2017 and has been operating five regional rail routes with over 700 route kilometres since 2019. Traveling around 10 million train kilometres per year, Go-Ahead Baden-Württemberg services the Stuttgart network comprising the Remsbahn, Residenzbahn, Filstalbahn and Frankenbahn as well as the Murrbahn.
Go-Ahead Bayern GbmH, headquartered in Augsburg, was founded in February 2019 and has been providing regional rail services on a range of routes since 2021, now covering around 10 million train kilometres per year. In 2021, Go-Ahead Bayern launched the operation of the Allgäu electronic network between Munich and Lindau. The routes on the Augsburg network were added in December 2022, offering services from Augsburg to Munich, Augsburg to Würzburg, Augsburg to Aalen, and Augsburg to Ulm.
Further Information
www.oebb.at
www.go-ahead-bahn.de