DBS partners ComfortDelGro to accelerate the greening of its UK bus fleet

SGD 100 million green loan to facilitate the purchase of electric buses for Metroline, London’s fourth-largest scheduled bus operator

Singapore, 22 April 2024 – DBS and ComfortDelGro Corporation (“ComfortDelGro”) today announced an SGD 100 million facility to decarbonise the global operator’s UK bus fleet.

Proceeds of the green loan were used for the purchase of 135 electric buses for ComfortDelGro’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Metroline – the fourth largest scheduled bus operator in London, covering about 17% of the city’s scheduled bus services.

The 77 double-deck and 58 single-deck electric buses will replace 135 internal combustion engine-powered buses and are projected to avoid approximately 9,900 tonnes of CO2 equivalent tailpipe emissions annually.

The green loan is the latest in ComfortDelGro’s ongoing efforts to transition its global bus fleet to 50% cleaner energy vehicles by 2030 and 100% by 2050.

Cheng Siak Kian, Managing Director/Group Chief Executive Officer of ComfortDelGro, said: “As a leading multi-modal transport operator, we are keen to drive sustainability through the businesses we operate. This green loan from DBS enables us to advance our sustainability goals, driving positive impact for the environment and the communities we serve.”

Max Lim, Managing Director and Group Head of Shipping, Aviation, Logistics and Transportation, Institutional Banking Group, DBS, said: “Transportation is the lifeblood of any economy. However, it is also a significant contributor of greenhouse gas emissions. As a purpose-driven bank, DBS is committed to working with our clients to support their decarbonisation efforts. We are pleased to be partnering ComfortDelGro as they accelerate their fleet transition.”

Date: 03/04/24

Adventure Travel appoints The Rescue Hotel as 2024 Charity of the Year

Leading Welsh bus and coach operator Adventure Travel has appointed local dog re-homing charity ‘The Rescue Hotel’ as its nominated Charity of the Year for 2024.

Charities were invited to nominate themselves for the Charity of the Year scheme, which is now in its fourth year, having been started in 2021. Once nominations had been submitted, they were put to a public vote via the operators social media sites. The Rescue Hotel secured the most number of votes, delighting lots of animal-loving customers.

Toria Acreman, from The Rescue Hotel, said “We are absolutely over the moon to be named as Adventure Travel’s ‘Charity of the year 2024’. We are a small charity run by a group of dedicated volunteers around our full-time jobs but we are also incredibly ambitious. When we saw that Adventure Travel were holding a competition to find their next charity of the year we were determined to win and we knew our fantastic supporters would help us to win the public vote. We had a vision of dogs peering out of the back of the bus and we are so delighted to see that vision become a reality. We hope the bus brings joy and smiles to people’s faces as they see it being driven around South Wales.”

Adam Keen, Managing Director of Adventure Travel added “Animals always generate interest amongst our customers and employees, with most people being able to relate in one way or another to a pet that they have known / owned / loved etc. at some point in their life. There are so many well documented accounts of how dogs have helped people with mental health challenges / anxiety / personal loss and there are proven medical benefits of dog association amongst people. With that in mind, it is no surprise that The Rescue Hotel generated so many votes and we are delighted to work with them in the coming year.”

Fund-raising activities will include sponsored hikes / walks, employee fancy dress days, donations from bus memorabilia sold off at auction and plenty more aside.

Date: 28/03/24

Metroline awarded contracts to operate four franchises in Manchester

- Experienced Bus Operator Metroline will operate the Hyde Road, Sharston, Tameside and Wythenshawe franchises commencing 5 January 2025

- Represents a significant addition to the wider ComfortDelGro Group’s growing presence across the United Kingdom, which already includes operations in 23 different towns and cities

MANCHESTER, 28 March 2024 –Metroline Limited, a member of global land-transport group ComfortDelGro has been awarded contracts to operate four franchises in Greater Manchester by Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA).

Metroline is the fourth largest scheduled bus operator in London and operates about 17 percent of the city's scheduled bus services. It is part of ComfortDelGro’s wider operations in the UK, which include; Argyle Satellite, Adventure Travel, CityFleet Networks, Computer Cab, KingKabs, Scottish Citylink Coaches, Megabus and Westbus Coach Services. These companies operate in 23 different towns and cities, offering a comprehensive range of pointto-point and public transport solutions including buses, coaches, taxis, and private hire vehicles.

Once part of the Bee Network, people living in Greater Manchester will benefit from a more accountable service, with passengers able to rate their journey and levels of customer feedback in a way that will impact what operators get paid to run the services. Metroline has a proven track record of pioneering green technologies on buses and providing excellent customer service, with drivers regularly receiving commendations and industry awards. Passengers in Greater Manchester can expect a community focused service on Metroline’s buses on the Bee Network, when they enter operation in January.

Date: 13/02/24

ComfortDelGro Acquires UK-Based Ground Transport Management Specialist CMAC Group

- Acquired for £80.2 million (S$135.4m), CMAC group is a leading provider of managed ground transportation and accommodation solutions for businesses

- Acquired for £80.2 million (S$135.4m), CMAC group is a leading provider of managed ground transportation and accommodation solutions for businesses

ComfortDelGro Corporation Limited (SGX: C52) (“ComfortDelGro” or, “the Group”) today announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary CityFleet Networks has acquired CMAC Group (CMAC), a UK-based ground transport management and accommodation network specialist for £80.2 million (S$135.4m). CMAC has an extensive network of approved and certified suppliers to provide around the-clock specialised pre-planned and on-demand emergency passenger transport and accommodation solutions to businesses in the rail, travel, healthcare, corporate and public sectors. Its operations cover the United Kingdom, France, Spain, Portugal, Greece and the Netherlands, managing disruptions and journeys for close to three million travellers annually on behalf of airlines, ground handlers, train operators, and companies. Through its Suntransfers brand, CMAC also manages private and ride-share transfers to over 500 airports, bus and train stations, and ports worldwide.

Mr Peter Slater, CEO of CMAC Group said, “We are excited to be part of a growing global mobility group. At the same time, I’m immensely proud of CMAC’s history and achievements, which wouldn’t have been possible without our strong team, valued clients and trusted supply partner network. This move will allow CMAC to build on our strategy and grow alongside ComfortDelGro Group while continuing to deliver highly valued services to our customers and partners.”

In addition to the services provided by CMAC, ComfortDelGro also owns and operates taxis and private hire vehicles through its CityFleet Networks in Aberdeen, Liverpool and the Northwest region. It also operates Metroline buses and Westbus coaches in London, Adventure Travel buses and coaches in Wales, as well as the Megabus, Scottish and Irish Citylink inter-city coach services. “The acquisition of CMAC means we not only achieve a meaningful expansion of our footprint in the UK and entry into several new countries in Europe but also acquire an extensive network of transport operators, strengthening our point-to-point transport solutions as well as growing our customer base,” said ComfortDelGro’s Chairman, Mr Mark Greaves. With the acquisition of CMAC Group, ComfortDelGro now provides mobility services in 12 countries worldwide.

Date: 1/12/23

Edward Thomas appointed as Chief Executive Officer of ComfortDelGro Europe

Edward Thomas has been appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of ComfortDelGro’s European business unit. In this new role, Edward will oversee operations in ComfortDelGro’s UK and Ireland based businesses.

With over two decades of experience in the transport industry in the UK and Australia, both in rail and bus, Edward has successfully established himself as a respected industry leadership figure. Edward has overseen significant business developments as CEO at Transdev Melbourne Pty Ltd, leading operations of Yarra Trams, acting as MD at Keolis Hyderabad Mass Rapid Transit System Pvt Ltd, and more recently, with ComfortDelGro Australia as CEO at CDC NSW.

It was at his previous role at CDC NSW that Edward helped the business navigate the difficulties of COVID, recent industry-wide driver shortages and the renewal and expansion of major government contracts. Based at ComfortDelGro House, Edward will be supporting Metroline CEO Sean O’Shea and the executive team to deliver our new vision, whilst also leading the ComfortDelGro European business unit into exciting new directions.

Speaking about his appointment, Edward said, “I am delighted to take on this position. Through Metroline, Cityfleet, Westbus, Irish Citylink, Scottish Citylink, Adventure Travel and Falcon, ComfortDelGro has built a successful presence in the UK & Ireland, as highlighted most recently by the acquisitions of Megabus and GoBus.ie. I am keen to build on this success and Sean O’Shea and the teams in the UK and Ireland have my full support as we continue to focus on growth and pursuing new ventures in Europe.”

Ireland