14/08/2009

• Stagecoach Bluebird and Stagecoach in Fife nominated as Public Transport Operator of the Year
• Three Stagecoach companies shortlisted for Partnership of the Year
• Stagecoach West Scotland in line for Sustainable Transport Award

Stagecoach is in the running for three top awards at the 2009 Scottish Transport Awards.

The transport company has been shortlisted as Operator of the Year for its Fife and Bluebird operations, while Stagecoach West Scotland is nominated for the Contribution to Sustainable Transport Award.

Stagecoach companies also represent three of the six shortlisted nominations in the Best Transport Partnership of the Year category. Stagecoach Bluebird is nominated for its partnership working with Aberdeenshire Council while Stagecoach East Scotland is in the running for its partnership with Perth and Kinross Council. Stagecoach West Scotland is also shortlisted for its ‘Wee G’ bus initiative, which aims to combat youth disorder, in partnership with Strathclyde Police and East Renfrewshire Council.

Tom Wileman, Regional Director, Stagecoach Scotland said: “We are committed to providing first-class bus services and I am delighted that our companies and staff have been shortlisted for these high profile awards.

"At the heart of our success is our strong partnerships, operational expertise, innovation, marketing and commitment to customers and we are continuing to attract more people on to our greener, smarter bus services.”

The 2009 Scottish Transport Awards bring together the transport community to recognise and reward real improvements to local transport. A total of 17 awards will be handed out at the 2009 ceremony which takes place on 29 October in the Radisson Hotel, Glasgow.

Judges at the awards have picked out Stagecoach Bluebird and Stagecoach in Fife for their commitment to passenger growth and innovation, service reliability, fleet investment and customer satisfaction.

Stagecoach Bluebird was named Public Transport Operator of the Year at the 2009 National Transport Awards last month. The company now carries 12million passengers a year, with 95% punctuality, and has invested heavily in new vehicles with greener engines. Stagecoach Bluebird has achieved passenger growth through continued investment, close working partnerships, the introduction of new products and services, leading edge marketing campaigns and through a number of improvements to existing routes.

Stagecoach in Fife carries over 23 million passengers a year and operates over 15 million miles. The company has undertaken a number of successful initiatives that have attracted new customers to public transport, including the Ferrytoll park and ride operation and the company's commitment to a carbon neutral network between Fife and Edinburgh. Stagecoach in Fife has also been involved in bus partnership schemes with local authorities and is committed to on-going training and development and first class customer relations.

Stagecoach is no stranger to awards, having won more awards than any other operator at both the 2007 and 2008 UK Bus Awards.

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS

Stagecoach Group
Stagecoach Group is a leading international public transport group, with extensive operations in the UK, United States and Canada. The company employs 30,000 people, and operates bus, coach, rail, and tram services.

For further information contact:
Lindsay Reid
Corporate Communications Manager
Stagecoach Group
10 Dunkeld Road
Perth
PH1 5TW
Phone: 01738 442111
Fax: 01738 443076
Mobile: 07500 446896
email: lindsay.reid@stagecoachgroup.com