Rising petrol prices have prompted commuters to leave their cars at home and go to work on public transport, Go-Ahead, the bus and rail operator, said yesterday.

The company also reported that it had benefited from a surge in older passengers using their free passes since the Government's free local bus travel scheme for the over-60s was extended nationwide in April.

Go-Ahead's shares surged 15 per cent to £17.61 on the back of the bullish pre-close trading statement, in which it said it was heading for record results in September. Other listed public transport stocks also gained, with Stagecoach and National Express Group up more than 7 per cent and FirstGroup up 6.3 per cent. ... Read full article