Driving mobility solutions
We have a clear vision and purpose
There has been underlying growth across our operations, and we have acted decisively in a uniquely challenging operating environment.
"I have been greatly impressed by the focus on safety which is embedded in our culture and at every level of the business. Our safety performance in 2022 is our best ever.”
Evolve & demand recovery delivering significantly improved results
Improving financial and operating performance
- Revenue up 29% to £2.8bn; underlying operating profit of £197.3m, more than double the prior year
- Strong cash conversion of 81%, delivering free cash flow of £160.5m; ROCE up 430bps to 7.7%
- Reinstating full year 2022 dividend at 5.0p per share reflecting confidence in the future
- Statutory loss before tax of £209.9m driven by £261m non-cash impairment of goodwill in ALSA, arising from a rise in discount rates; underlying trading assumptions unchanged
Progress on driver recruitment and route reinstatement in US School Bus
- 900 net new drivers added in 2022, closing the gap by one third as expected, allowing route reinstatement to commence
- Average rate increases of just above 10% achieved on the 40% of contracts renewed in the year recovering increased driver costs albeit with a timing lag
Strong growth in passenger demand with good momentum
- 23% increase in passenger journeys across the Group
- Sustained growth in passenger demand in Spain, Morocco, the UK and Germany; strengthening in the second half of the year
Improving covenant gearing
- Covenant gearing at 2.8 times (December 2021: 3.6 times); expect to be close to target range in the next two years with reducing leverage remaining a key priority
Resilient and agile in the face of industry headwinds
- Restructured operations in Spain, Morocco, North America and the UK
- Network relaunch in UK scheduled coach saving 6% in cost per passenger mile
- Actively managing contracts to recover inflation
- Fuel cost 100% hedged for 2023 and 56% for 2024
Evolve strategic momentum delivering tangible results; well-positioned to deliver future growth
- 35 new contracts won, including the RRX Lot1 contract in Germany, worth approximately £150m in annualised revenue demonstrating our ability to convert a strong pipeline of opportunities into tangible growth
- Commenced service in new key target cities, such as Lisbon and Richmond, Virginia as well as multi-modal hub expansions in Geneva, Madrid and Boston
- Fleet decarbonisation accelerating with plans approved for 1,500 ZEVs across the Group by 2024
Divisional review
-
ALSA
Revenue
€1,129.3m(+35% against 2021)
Statutory Operating Loss
€199.9m(Profit of €35.2m in 2021)
Underlying Operating Profit
€121.8m(+85% against 2021)
Underlying Operating Margin
10.8%(+290bp against 2021)
Revenue
£962.5m(+34% against 2021)
Underlying Operating Profit
£103.9m(+84% against 2021)
Statutory Operating Loss
£170.2m(Profit of £30.2m in 2021)
Francisco Iglesias Chief Executive, ALSA
-
North America
Revenue
$1,296.8m(+8% against 2021)
Underlying Operating Profit
$84.7m(-17% against 2021)
Statutory Operating Profit
$15.8m(-75% against 2021)
Underlying Operating Margin
6.5%(-190bps against 2021)
Revenue
£1,048.2m(+20% against 2021)
Underlying Operating Profit
£68.4m(-8% against 2021)
Statutory Operating profit
£12.7m(-73% against 2021)
Gary Waits, CEO: School Bus
Erick Van Wagenen, CEO: Transit and Shuttle -
UK
Revenue
£528.3m(+33% against 2021)
Underlying Operating Profit
£25.6m(Loss of £7.5m in 2021)
Statutory Operating Profit
£18.1m(Loss of £46.4m in 2021)
Underlying Operating Margin
8.2%(2021: n/a)
Tom Stables, Chief Executive, UK and Germany
-
Germany
Revenue
€315.0m(+49% against 2021)
Underlying Operating Profit
€20.7m(+255% against 2021)
Statutory Operating Profit
€8.4m(Loss of €28.0m in 2021)
Underlying Operating Margin
5.6%(+290bp against 2021)
Revenue
£268.5m(+48% against 2021)
Underlying Operating Profit
£17.6m(+252% against 2021)
Statutory Operating profit
£7.2m(Loss of £24.1m in 2021)
Tom Stables, Chief Executive, UK and Germany
Financial overview
Group Income Statement, Group Balance Sheet, Group Cash Flow Statement & Five Year Summary
Evolve Strategy
We have a clear vision and purpose, which drives everything we do
Downloads
Strategic Report
Corporate governance
Directors’ Remuneration Report
Directors’ Responsibilities Statement