Grampian Regional Transport
Grampian Regional Transport (GRT) was the successor of Aberdeen Corporation Tramways, formed in 1898. Under local government reorganisation in 1975, the Aberdeen Corporation Transport operations transferred to Grampian Regional Transport, a department of the Grampian Regional Authority.
To comply with the Transport Act 1985, Grampian Regional Transport was incorporated in 1986, with the Grampian Regional Authority retaining ownership. In January 1989 the company was privatised under an employee stock ownership plan led by its general manager.
The company continued to operate as GRT in Aberdeen. Its holding company, GRT Bus Group expanded through acquisition purchasing six former nationalised bus companies in England and Scotland. In April 1994 GRT Bus Group became a public limited company. In April 1995 FirstBus was formed through the merger of the Badgerline and GRT Bus Groups, with fleets in England, Wales and Scotland. Aberdeen was selected as the headquarters.
In February 1998 Grampian Regional Transport was rebranded as First Aberdeen.