FirstGroup signs up to be Bus provider to London 2012 Olympics

The company beat 77 other contenders to become preferred bidder for the contract.

FirstGroup will now have to co-ordinate around 1,000 buses and coaches linking venues directly with the rest of the country. London Olympics claims the Games will be the first “public transport games”.

The company already has about 8,500 buses and coaches around Britain, and also runs several train franchises. It will provide more than 600 of its own buses to shuttle spectators and between venues and park and ride locations around London.

A further 300 buses are to be contracted from other coach operators to provide express services linking towns outside London with venues in the capital, as well as Weymouth and Portland, where sailing events will take place.

The preferred bidder for a contract for transport of athletes and officials at the London Olympics is in the early stages of tendering.

The winner of that contract will need to supply around 1,500 buses to take the athletes around the various venues and back to the Olympic village.

John Lewis was recently named the Official Department Store Provider for the London 2012 Olympic Games.