Fears over higher fuel costs and the impact of a slowing economy caused shares in rail and bus operator Go-Ahead to hit reverse gear yesterday.

GO-AHEAD, one of the UK's leading passenger transport services providers, said today its underlying profit over the first half of the year was up 14.5 per cent to GBP 58.3 million, helped by a strong performance at its bus unit.

BUS and train operator Go-Ahead said yesterday first-quarter trading had been strong, as expected, causing its shares to jump by more than 5%.

Go-Ahead Group, a UK-based provider of transportation services, has acquired independent bus operator Blue Triangle Buses through its London General Bus subsidiary for a consideration of GBP12 million, on a debt-free and cash-free basis.

Transport group Go-Ahead, based in Newcastle, said yesterday it was on track for better-thanexpected results.