Credit crunch? Fuel crisis? $130 a barrel of oil? You wouldn't think London's buses would be making a profit let alone breaking even - but not one company.

The Go Ahead group, which runs London General, London Central, and Metrobus say profits are up on last years £55million.

Hedging policy

Unlike Ryanair, Go Ahead thought ahead and bought ahead.

Forward buying its fuel means it can run its fleet on 43p a litre over the next 12 months as opposed to 130p a litre of diesel at the forecourts. What may also stick in the throats of motorgoers is that you are helping them make these unlikely profits.

Subsidised

The little known Bus Service Operations Grant means the Treasury waves 80% tax of a bus company’s fuel bill. As a result, just 10% of a bus companies operating costs is for fuel. For airlines it's 30%, and rising.

All on the bus!