Going topless Reaching a in New new level York of control The newspaper of Stagecoach Group Issue 54 Spring 2004 Stagecoach joins Danes in bid for rail franchise tagecoach Group has linked up with Danish State SRailways (DSB) to bid for a major UK rail franchise. Carry on The Group has taken a 29.9% majority of passenger rail services in stake in South Eastern Railways Ltd, a Denmark and has further franchise company set up by DSB, to bid for operations in other Scandinavian the new Integrated Kent franchise in countries. logging on south-east England. It is an independent Public Three other companies – GNER, Corporation, owned by the Danish Carry on megabus.com! First Group and a consortium of Go- Government, and is managed by a That was the message Ahead and Keolis, of France – have Board of Directors and an Executive from bubbly actress been shortlisted for the seven to 10- Committee, who are responsible for Barbara Windsor when year franchise. the day-to-day business. she helped launch Integrated Kent, which will be let Executive Vice President and CFO Britain’s first low-cost from early 2005, of DSB, Søren internet bus service. will include routes Eriksen said: And, with tickets on the national rail ‘Both Stagecoach “Stagecoach has available from just £1 network throug- extensive through megabus.com, the hout Kent, parts of and DSB share a experience with initiative is catching the Sussex and South- train operations in public’s imagination for East London. It will commitment to the UK and DSB is catching a bus. also incorporate undisputedly one An astonishing 20,000 new domestic putting passengers of the best folk a day are calling up services on the performing train the website, with an Channel Tunnel Rail at the heart of our operators in incredible 25% snapping Link (CTRL). Europe. up a ticket. Graham Eccles, business’ “Therefore, the Now, following the Stagecoach Group’s two com-panies success of trial routes in Executive Director can draw on their Scotland and the north of Rail, said: “We are respective core England, megabus.com is delighted to be competencies in linking London to 10 cities partnering DSB to delivering value in England and Wales. bid for the for public money. To celebrate the Integrated Kent rail Graham Eccles DSB and success of the service, franchise. Stagecoach Barbara, one of the Collectively, we Executive Director complement each country’s favourite TV, believe we have a other well.” stage and film stars, was strong mix of Rail Stagecoach’s delighted to spread the experience in experience in word that “fings ain’t what operating high- running South they used to be” when it volume commuter West Trains – the comes to the cost of and long-distance rail services. UK’s largest rail franchise with 1,700 hopping on a bus. “Both Stagecoach and DSB share a trains a day running out of London’s commitment to putting passengers at Waterloo Station – will be an Full report – page 3 the heart of our business, investing in important factor as the new franchise new trains and focusing closely on includes a significant commuter delivering a first-class operating element. performance. We look forward to The Strategic Rail Authority will Barbara Windsor tries to get working together to develop a strong decide the preferred bidder for the more of us on the buses with her bid for the franchise.” franchise and interested parties have promotion of megabus.com. DSB, which has an excellent to submit final bids by August this reputation in Europe, operates the year. Aberdeen heads the First class trains regions The Stagecoach East Scotland office at Aberdeen bus station best in business was recently crowned National Express Regional Agent of the Year for Scotland. outh West Trains’ new bringing new journey opportunities The Desiro award was a joint “Chandler’s Ford station is really a Staff at the Aberdeen office SDesiro fleet has won a and providing an attractive gateway entry between South West Trains, project to be proud of and I’d like to beat off competition from 300 to the South West Trains’ network. Siemens Transportation, the rolling thank everyone for their efforts other agents throughout top prize at a national rail Chandler’s Ford was officially stock leasing company Angel Trains, which have created a first class Scotland to pick up the award industry awards ceremony. opened in October 2003 and and First Great Eastern, which also railway station. and have now been entered in The Desiro trains, manufactured includes a new station building, has Desiro trains operating on its “These awards recognise the the race for National Express by Siemens, were announced as platform and modern footbridge. network. Siemens was given a efforts that have been made to bring Agent of the Year for the UK. winners in the Rolling Stock The first Desiro trains were further accolade when it was a high standard of rolling stock and There are some 1,800 agents Excellence of the Year category at introduced to South West Trains’ awarded the ultimate title of Rail stations to our passengers and it was throughout the UK. the HSBC Rail Business Awards in network in October 2003. They are Business of the Year. a night that made me proud to be Stagecoach operates as an February. part of the largest train order in the South West Trains Managing part of South West Trains.” agent for National Express and South West Trains was also highly UK, worth around £1 billion, which Director Andrew Haines said: “The David Wilson, Director of overall sales at Aberdeen commended in the Station will see more than 150 new trains award for the Desiro trains is a Siemens Transportation, said: increased by 20 per cent last Excellence of the Year category for arriving in the region. fantastic achievement, especially so “Siemens is delighted to win this year. There was also a 34 per the new station at Chandler’s Ford, The Desiros have improved levels early on in the introduction award with its partners. Passengers cent increase in add-on which was built in partnership with of crash-worthiness and bring a programme. are already beginning to experience products such as insurance. Hampshire County Council, Network whole host of passenger benefits, “The trains are a credit to all the benefits of the Desiros and we Congratulations go to all the Rail and the Strategic Rail Authority. including air-conditioning, on-train involved and have delivered a real will continue to work hard together staff from Stagecoach East The brand new station offers an CCTV, a passenger information improvement in our passengers’ to ensure they achieve ever- Scotland who played a part in hourly train service to passengers, system and a smoother ride quality. experience of travelling with us. improving levels of reliability.” the winning of the award. Robert Andrew, Deputy Managing Director of Stagecoach Scotland, said: “We are delighted that the Top award takes account Stagecoach staff at Aberdeen bus station have received this accolade. of a great performance “They have worked extremely hard for the travelling public, offering Stagecoach Group Finance Director Group Finance Director in April 2000 information and advice on Martin Griffiths has scooped a top and is responsible for the Group’s journey options. professional award. overall financial policy and treasury “This award is well Martin (37) was named Young management. deserved.” Finance Director of the Year at the A Chartered Accountant, he also Financial Director of the Year Awards has responsibility for the overall in Edinburgh. management of the Group’s property The award was presented by BBC portfolio. New team Business Editor Jeff Randall at an Two other honours were event in the Edinburgh International presented at the awards. Stuart Conference Centre, attended by over Paterson, Johnston Press plc, was 400 leading professionals. named FD of the Year for the in place Martin was appointed Stagecoach corporate sector, while John Matheson, of NHS Lothian, received the top award in the Public/Not for for UK Bus Profit sector. Martin Griffiths picks up the The awards were organised by Young Finance Director of ASA International and sponsored by Stagecoach UK Bus has the Year honour at the Bank of Scotland Corporate Banking strengthened its management awards ceremony. and CA Magazine. team in the South Midlands as part of moves to develop the business. Contacts The division will now be managed as two separate The Editor, On Stage, Stagecoach Group, Stagecoach South West Mark Whittle 01392 889747 operating companies. 10 Dunkeld Road, Perth PH1 5TW. National Transport Tokens Sajda Khan 01254 680180 Martin Sutton, the current Tel: +44 (0)1738 442111, Fax: +44 (0)1738 580407 Managing Director for the UK Rail area, has been appointed www.stagecoachgroup.com South West Trains Kathryn Rowe 0207 620 5238 Managing Director If you have a story for On Stage please get in touch with Island Line 01983 812591 Oxfordshire, with responsibili- your local contact below. Stephen Wade Stagecoach Supertram Julia Shaw 0114 2759888 ty for the Oxford, Witney and Stagecoach Group Steven Stewart 01738 642040 Banbury depots. He will be based in Oxford and also Overseas oversee the Oxford Tube UK Bus Coach USA operation. Stagecoach East Scotland Lisa McCloy 01592 261461 North East Roger Bowker 001 201 225 7581 James Freeman, Operations Stagecoach West Scotland Emma McNae 01292 613515 North Central Dale Moser 001 847 390 5800 Director, has become Stagecoach North East Robin Knight 0191 567 5251 Coach Canada Jim Devlin 001 705 748 1170 Managing Director Stagecoach North West Colin Nicholson 01772 255752 Warwickshire. Based in Rugby, Stagecoach Manchester Karen Best 0161 276 2727 New Zealand Dennis Elliot 00 649 309 3500 he will manage the Nuneaton, Rugby and Leamington depots.