Stagecoach expands US budget bus service

Transport heavyweight Stagecoach is extending its budget Megabus service to cover 11 cities in the southern United States, including Nashville in Tennessee.

The Perth-based group confirmed yesterday that the coach services would begin running out of a new hub in Atlanta, Georgia, from next month. The expansion means that more than 70 locations will be served across the US and Canada. Some 500 jobs have been created by Megabus throughout North America.

Dale Moser, president and chief operating officer of the North American operation, said: “Americans are continuing to look for ways to stretch their income, and we look forward to providing safe, convenient and affordable travel to millions of new customers.”

Other cities being served by the expansion include Birmingham, Alabama; Chattanooga and Memphis, both in Tennessee.

Megabus launched in the UK in 2003 offering inter-city travel from just £1. Last week, the firm unveiled a new sleeper service linking Glasgow with London, using specially converted coaches with 24 berths and 24 seats.