01/11/2006

Stagecoach has been named Britain's best bus operator - for the second year running.

Judges at the 2006 UK Bus Awards voted Stagecoach West Scotland, which runs around 400 buses stretching from Dumfries to Glasgow, as winner of the headline Belmont International Bus Operator of the Year Award and the Award for Operating Excellence - Large Fleet.

The West Scotland business also won both categories at the 2005 event and it is the first time in the 11-year history of the UK Bus Awards that the same company has won the top honours two years in a row.

Sam Greer, Managing Director for Stagecoach West Scotland, said: “This is a fantastic achievement and the first time any operator has won the top award two years running.

“It is a tribute to the hard work and commitment of all our employees, from drivers and engineers, to managers and support staff. They are the people who, day in day out, ensure Stagecoach delivers a high quality bus service to our passengers.”

Three other Stagecoach companies, covering Fife, Devon and Cambridge, were also in the running for the top award.

Stagecoach had a total of six finalist entries across four categories in this year’s 11th annual awards, which were presented at a special lunch in London today.

Stagecoach in Cambridge was runner-up in the Award for Operating Excellence – Smaller Fleets. The company has grown passenger numbers on its services in the city by around 70% in the past four years – double the growth rate in London – as a result of strong partnerships with local authorities.

Cambridgeshire County Council, which has worked closely with Stagecoach on developing bus services in the city, was runner-up in the Transport Authority of the Year category.

Stagecoach Supertram, operator of the light rail system in Sheffield, won the Street Transit Award. Supertram runs a 28km network incorporating three routes in Sheffield and was Britain’s first state-of-the-art tramway.

Barry Arnold, who retired as Managing Director of Stagecoach’s former London bus operations this summer after a 42-year career, received a special award for Services to the Bus Industry, along with Paul Hill, formerly of Lincolnshire Road Car.

Stagecoach’s other shortlisted entry was Stagecoach North West’s “Cumbria and the Lakes” promotion in the Bus in the Countryside category.

Les Warneford, Managing Director of Stagecoach UK Bus, said: “We are delighted so many of our companies have been recognised for their commitment to excellence. Stagecoach is leading the way in attracting more people to bus travel through innovation, investment, strong marketing, operational expertise and a commitment to excellent customer service.”

John Owen, Chairman of the UK Bus Awards, said: “Bus companies, local authorities and suppliers to the industry are working together to improve passenger services and increase patronage. Slowly but surely their efforts to provide a truly viable alternative to cars are succeeding – as indeed they must if congestion and environmental issues are to be tackled. Today’s winners show how it can be done. Congratulations to them all.”

ENDS

For further information, please contact:
Steve Stewart, Head of Media and Public Affairs, Stagecoach Group
Tel: 01738 442111
Mobile: 07764 774680
E-mail: steven.stewart@stagecoachgroup.com

NOTES TO EDITORS

• Stagecoach is one of the UK’s biggest bus operators, running around 7,000 buses in nearly 100 towns and cities across the country, from the Highlands of Scotland to south-west England.
• The UK Bus Awards, now in their 11th year, recognise excellence and best practice across the industry. Bus operators, local authorities and other organisations are judged on innovative projects that deliver better bus services for passengers.