PUBLIC transport giant Go-Ahead says its bus and rail businesses have shown a “resilient” performance in the first half of the year.

The Newcastle-based business, which operates buses across the UK with a high concentration in London and also runs three rail franchises, was updating investors on trading ahead of the end of its first half on December 29.

David Brown, group chief executive, said: “I am pleased to report a resilient performance across our operations, with all of our companies seeing growth in commercial revenue in the year to date.

“Whilst we remain suitably cautious about the medium term wider economic outlook, we are encouraged by our robust performance.”

He said the company is currently well placed to meet its target of achieving a £100m bus operating profit by 2015/2016 and that all three rail franchises - Southern (including Gatwick Express), Southeastern and London Midland - had delivered good passenger revenue growth in the year to date.