The newsletter of Stagecoach Group Issue 110 | July 2015 STAGE ON page 2 page 6 INSIDE Memorial award | Greener together megabus.com continues European expansion megabus.com has revealed record advance ticket sales on its new network of domestic coach services in Italy as well as launching two new international routes. More than 30,000 customers purchased tickets during the first week of sales in Italy – higher than the initial sales on any of the company’s other networks in Europe. megabus.com services now link 13 destinations across Italy and passengers have been snapping up bargain fares from just €1 (plus 50 cents booking fee). The major new network of inter-city coach services covers Rome, Milan, Florence, Venice, Naples, Turin, Bologna, Verona, Padua, Siena, Genoa, Sarzana (La Spezia) and Pisa. megabus.com has also created around 100 new jobs through the opening of new bases near Milan megabus.com vehicles at the launch of the new Italian domestic network in Florence and in Florence. In addition, megabus.com recently launched its first base in France, where it has created 35 jobs between London and Milan via Lille, Paris, Lyon from customers has been fantastic. at a depot located near Lyon, from which a new and Turin. “The new routes between London and Milan, and international route now operates between megabus.com Managing Director Edward between Barcelona and Cologne are great news Barcelona, Perpignan, Montpellier, Avignon, Lyon, Hodgson said: “These latest routes mark even for our customers who now have access to even Mulhouse, Freiburg, Karlsruhe, Heidelberg, more expansion of our services in Europe. We’re more great value coach links across Europe. We Frankfurt and Cologne. delighted with the success of our megabus.com are the only coach operator in Europe to offer The company also recently announced a new link network in Italy so far and the level of interest €1 fares on all services across all routes.” Success at Scottish Transport Awards Stagecoach signs STAGECOACH East Scotland was recognised with a The Coastrider X7 service now carries 12,000 Armed Forces covenant top honour at the 2015 Scottish Transport Awards. customers each week and has seen a 36% rise STAGECOACH Group has demonstrated its The business was awarded the Best Bus Service in passenger numbers over the past year. commitment to the UK Armed Forces by signing accolade at the 13th annual event held in Glasgow Stagecoach East Scotland Managing Director a corporate covenant to support the country’s after impressing judges with its Coastrider X7 route Andrew Jarvis said: “This award is a real credit military community. which operates along the east coast of Scotland. to the hard work of our employees who deliver In addition, the Group offered free travel to Stagecoach launched the X7 Coastrider service in all of these fantastic services to our customers military personnel on the weekend of National 2011, providing a vital link between Dundee and all year round. Armed Forces Day. Aberdeen via Arbroath, Montrose and Stonehaven. “Thousands of people a week rely on the The voluntary Ministry of Defence written Services quickly proved popular and Stagecoach Coastrider X7 services as an affordable and covenant recognises the contribution made has since invested heavily in a further new fleet reliable transport solution and, by investing in by service personnel, reservists, veterans and of luxury vehicles for the route, featuring free wifi, new vehicles and delivering excellent customer military families to the UK and the value they leather reclining seats, air conditioning and a toilet. service, we look forward to attracting even more bring to businesses across the country. In 2012 the company launched a night service and people on to our greener, smarter services in last year the route was extended through to Perth. the future.” Story continued on page 3 1 Did you know? Bus operator Stagecoach South has recently moved into new premises in Peasmarsh, near Guildford. ON STAGE Change at the helm Fond farewell for What a in South Wales Andrew Laugh! JOHN GOULD, Stagecoach South Managing Director Andrew Dyer Posted on Twitter: Managing Director from has retired after a 40-year career. Stagecoach in South Starting at Oxfordshire independent Charlton-on- “This is the last time I take a box of iced Wales, is to retire in Otmoor Bus Services in 1970, Andrew worked as a fingers on the tube in rush hour.” August after a 40-year bus cleaner and conductor before working his way up If you have seen or heard something funny – career in the UK bus to Managing Director of Stagecoach South in 1999. online, in the papers, on social media or just industry. Andrew said: “I have thoroughly enjoyed my career while out and about – send your contributions John (64) has headed – my philosophy for the ‘What a Laugh’ section in the next edition up Stagecoach’s bus has always to [email protected] operations in Wales for been lots of the past 14 years and hard work and during his career has Retiring South Wales humour and n Top awards held senior positions at a Managing Director a focus on John Gould A TEAM from Stagecoach in Chesterfield’s coach number of regional bus bringing new department has been recognised at a national companies across the UK. managers on. I transport awards ceremony. He will retire on 31 August, shortly after his 65th am proud of the Staff at the company’s Stonegravels base birthday, and be succeeded by Nigel Winter who is improvements celebrated winning the Operator of the Year award currently Managing Director, Stagecoach Cumbria we have made at the 2014 National Express Awards, held in and North Lancashire. at Stagecoach Coventry, in which the team were pitted against He was appointed Managing Director of Stagecoach South in 37 other operations teams. West and Wales in 2001 and has been Managing recent years, At the annual event, Stagecoach in Chesterfield, Director of Stagecoach South Wales since 2003. which has only which operates National Express coaches between John said: “I can honestly say that I have enjoyed every been possible West Yorkshire and London, also triumphed in minute of my 40 years in the bus industry and I have because of the been privileged to work with, and for, some amazing great team we Andrew Dyer pictured with the Operator of the Year for the 11–20 vehicles his cake category for the second year running. people at all levels in that time.” have here.” The team were also recognised with the High Achiever accolade. Joe Gilchrist, Engineering Director of Stagecoach Yorkshire, who accepted the award on behalf Christopher Ball Memorial Award of the team, said: “These awards highlight the best depot (Hartlepool) and the best driver, Dave consistently high standards demonstrated by our Birch from Merseyside. hard working, talented team. They fully deserve The GreenRoad system is installed on all this award recognition.” Stagecoach vehicles at the Group’s bus companies and gives drivers instant feedback on their driving manoeuvres, encouraging smoother, safer, and n On the pull more fuel-efficient driving. TWENTY Coach USA and megabus.com Stagecoach UK Bus Regional Director Robert employees recently undertook a strength-based Andrew said: “Along with GreenRoad, we challenge to raise money for the Wounded wanted to find a fitting tribute to Christopher Warrior Project. and, as he was the driving force behind the The group pulled a tank on an 18-wheel trailer technology at our bus companies, we felt – giving a combined weight of 80,000lbs – for Stagecoach Merseyside driver Dave Birch receives this was an appropriate way to remember a distance of 12 feet. The megabus.com team his award from John Ball him and pay tribute to his hard work.” came in 19th out of the 42 teams competing Christopher Ball’s father John was involved in with a time of 7.19 seconds. Stagecoach’s UK Bus division has rewarded presenting the awards. He added: “Christopher its employees for their high standards cared deeply about his job and it’s lovely to know of eco-driving, with an awards scheme he is still in the company’s thoughts. He was held in tribute to former employee. delighted with the backing that Stagecoach gave Christopher Ball, Stagecoach Ecodriver Project him and it was very important to him to be involved Manager, sadly passed away last year. Christopher in this project even during his illness. Our family had worked tirelessly to roll out the GreenRoad would like to express sincere thanks to Stagecoach eco-driving technology to Stagecoach’s bus for the way they supported Christopher during his companies across the UK and was a respected illness, particularly Robert Andrew. It’s very nice to and well-liked employee. hear all of the lovely things that his colleagues at The Christopher Ball Memorial Award was awarded Stagecoach and at GreenRoad have said about him to Stagecoach Oxfordshire as the best performing and, along with the rest of my family, I would like to The strong megabus.com team of fundraisers company, with glass bowls also presented to the congratulate the winners of these awards.” 2 Barcelona bangers challenge ... find out more on page 5. ON STAGE military personnel in a variety of ways over the last 12 months including donations to the British n On board with Legion, activities to recognise local heroes, attending dedicated Armed Forces recruitment fairs and ‘Catch the Bus Week’ offering free transport to uniformed personnel and Stagecoach has joined forces with veterans on National Poppy Day. For the past two sustainable transport group Greener Journeys years Stagecoach Group’s megabus.com business in to promote the benefits of bus use during the North America has also donated $1 to the Wounded third annual ‘Catch the Bus Week’.