Stagecoach to roll out new buses

Perth-based transport business Stagecoach today announced it has placed £97 million of orders for 480 new buses, many of which will be equipped with free wi-fi.

Perth-based Stagecoach is one of Britain's biggest bus operators

The order brings to £1 billion the amount the company has spent on 6,500 new vehicles over the past decade, with the latest intake all meeting European emissions standards.

Stagecoach said the new orders meant about £82m of new buses and coaches will be introduced in the group’s regional networks in Scotland, England and Wales. The first of the new vehicles will be delivered this spring.

There is also a £10m order for new buses in London and £4.5m will go on coaches for the group’s successful megabus.com subsidiary.

Stagecoach said in a statement: “Most of the new vehicles are set to be built in the UK, helping to support hundreds of British manufacturing jobs and smaller businesses in the supply chain who produce key components from drivers’ seats and toilets to wheelchair lifts and destination displays.”

Martin Griffiths, Stagecoach’s chief executive, said: “We are investing in state-of-the-art, cleaner, greener vehicles, digital technology and smart ticketing to raise the bar and deliver an even higher standard of service.”