(Adds FirstGroup, Stagecoach, details on sector, background)
April 3 (Reuters) - Management at London bus and train
operator Go-Ahead Group on Friday said it was taking a
20% pay cut as it and other bus companies welcomed 167 million
pounds ($206.60 million) in aid from the government to keep
commuter services running for essential staff during the
coronavirus lockdown.
The government late on Thursday agreed additional funding
for the industry that will be paid to operators over the next 12
weeks.
Go-Ahead, which has more than 2,000 buses in operation in
London and also manages a number of services in other UK cities,
said fare revenue had sunk by 90% as a result of the shutdowns.
"People in key roles such as NHS workers, emergency services
and those in the food supply chain depend upon these services,"
Go-Ahead Chief Executive David Brown said.
FirstGroup, owner of First Bus that operates around
5,700 buses across the UK, also saw a 90% decline in passenger
revenue numbers and said it welcomed the government's support.
"These arrangements will enable us to continue working
closely with councils and our other local stakeholders to ensure
that key workers can reach their destination," said FirstGroup
Chief Executive Matthew Gregory.
Another bus operator Stagecoach, which operates
8,400 buses and coaches in the UK, said it was furloughing
around 55% of its regional bus drivers and engineering staff as
it seeks to conserve cash.
Before the health crisis took centre stage, Prime Minister
Boris Johnson in February announced 5 billion pounds in new
funding to overhaul bus and cycle links for every region outside
London.
($1 = 0.8083 pounds)
(Reporting by Yadarisa Shabong in Bengaluru; Editing by Shounak
Dasgupta, Bernard Orr)