PROFITS at fast expanding bus and rail group FirstBus motored ahead by 81 per cent in the six months to September 30th, according the figures published yesterday. The group, now Britain's largest local bus operator, made a pre tax profit of £25.7 million, compared with £14.2 million in the equivalent period in 1995. After accounting for restructuring costs in each period, the headline figures dip to £23.5 million and £9 million respectively.