Go! on track to be first train operating co-operative

Go! Co-operative is gathering momentum in its aim to become the UK’s first co-operatively-owned train operating company. It has appointed three new board members to take the organisation forward to operational stage.

Chief Executive, Keith Vingoe, Director of Operations, Chris Phillimore and Director of Safety, Chris Thompson – will work together to help ensure the smooth transition from initial start-up to fully functional social enterprise.

Go! plans to provide a service initially in Southern England, as the first open access train provider running as a multi-stakeholder co-operative - linking main lines to smaller market towns and villages. It is currently seeking funding of upwards of £250,000.

With Board members who together have over 50 years experience in the rail industry, and expertise in successfully managing similar start-up rail projects - the organisation has the impetus to take it to the next level.

Tim Pearce, Chair of Go! Co-operative, said: “I am very excited that we are attracting people with real practical experience and strong track records. That, plus the immediate response to our first offer of withdrawable shares, has given us some real momentum.”

New Chief Executive, Keith Vingoe, who is also Managing Director of the Lynton and Barnstaple Railway, is confident about Go! Co-operative.

He said: “The present Lynton and Barnstaple Railway was created from nothing so there is no reason why a similar business model using broad based community support cannot be harnessed to run much needed trains on track that is already there."

"Having worked for many years in the field of business management, I am very confident that a sound idea like that of Go! Co-operative can be turned into a good social enterprise business,” he said.
http://www.go-now.coop/