:Stagecoach Group
{{short description|Scottish transport group}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2017}}
{{EngvarB|date=November 2017}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Stagecoach Group Limited
| logo = StagecoachGroup.svg
| former_name = Stagecoach Group plc
| type = Private
| industry = Public transport
| founded = {{start date|1980|4|9|df=y}}
| founders = Brian Souter
Ann Gloag
Robin Gloag
| location = Perth, Scotland, UK
| area_served = United Kingdom
| key_people = Ray O'Toole (Chairman)
Claire Miles (Chief Executive)
| products = Bus, coach, tram and train services
| revenue = {{increase}} £1,372.6 million (2023){{cite web |url=https://www.stagecoachgroup.com/~/media/Files/S/Stagecoach-Group/Attachments/financial/agm/annual-report-2023.pdf |publisher=Stagecoach Group|title=Annual Report 2023 |access-date=23 August 2023}}
| operating_income = {{increase}} £77.8 million (2023)
| net_income = {{decrease}} £23.2 million (2023)
| num_employees = 24,000 (2023){{cite web |url=https://www.stagecoachgroup.com/who-we-are/our-companies/current-operations.aspx#:~:text=Our%20team%20of%2024%2C000%20people,in%20England%2C%20Scotland%20and%20Wales. |publisher=Stagecoach Group|title=Who we are |access-date=23 August 2023}}
| parent = Inframobility
| homepage = {{nowrap|{{url|https://www.stagecoachgroup.com}}}}
}}
Stagecoach Group is a transport group based in Perth, Scotland. It operates buses and express coaches in the United Kingdom.
Stagecoach was originally founded in 1976 as Gloagtrotter, a recreational vehicle and minibus hire business. During the early 1980s, it took advantage of the deregulation of the British express coach market, launching services from Dundee to London using second-hand Neoplan coaches, competing against the then state-owned National Express Coaches and Scottish Citylink. Stagecoach purchased several recently-privatised national bus groups from London Regional Transport, the National Bus Company, Scottish Bus Group and various city councils, as well as pursuing those that had opted for management buyouts and employee-owned corporations. During August 1996, Stagecoach acquired roughly one-third of all passenger rolling stock in the UK via the acquisition of the recently-privatised leasing company Porterbrook; it sold the company on four years later. In 1997, Stagecoach was awarded the franchise to operate the recently privatised Sheffield Supertram system. In 1998, it purchased Prestwick Airport.
Following the sale of its London bus operations to Macquarie Bank in 2006, Stagecoach UK Bus concentrated on the bus market outside the UK capital. During 2007, Stagecoach was awarded the East Midlands franchise. In July 2007, it commenced operating the Manchester Metrolink tram network. During January 2009, Stagecoach purchased Preston Bus, a former rival in the Lancashire area, but was promptly compelled to sell it by the Competition Commission. In October 2010, it expanded further by re-acquiring East London and Selkent, Stagecoach's former London bus operations. During March 2015, Virgin Trains East Coast, in which Stagecoach held a 90% shareholding, commenced operating the InterCity East Coast franchise; the franchise was terminated early three years later as it was unable to fulfil the agreed payments.
During April 2019, private equity house Variant acquired Stagecoach's US division in exchange for $271 million. In April 2019, Stagecoach was disqualified from participating in three rail franchise competitions by the Department for Transport after it submitted non-compliant bids. During September 2021, it was reported that rival company National Express entered into talks to acquire Stagecoach. In May 2022, a rival takeover offer from a DWS managed investment fund bought Stagecoach.
History
=Background and early years=
File:Stagecoach Southdown 501.JPG Alexander Dash bodied Dennis Dart in the original 'stripes' fleet livery]]
The origins of Stagecoach Group can be traced back to 1976, at which point Ann Gloag and her husband Robin Gloag established a small recreational vehicle and minibus hire business called Gloagtrotter based in Perth, Scotland.{{cite news|url=https://www.proactiveinvestors.co.uk/companies/news/908992/stagecoach-group-last-stop-for-the-founders-908992.html|title=Stagecoach Group: last stop for founders|date=11 December 2019|newspaper=Proactive Investor|access-date=30 January 2025}} Ann's brother, Brian Souter, an accountant, joined the firm and expanded the business into bus hire. In 1982, following the collapse of his marriage to Ann, Robin Gloag sold his ownership stake in the business and ceased any involvement. Around this time, the company would benefit greatly from the deregulation of the British express coach market in the early 1980s; specifically, the Transport Act 1980, which freed express services of 35 miles and over from regulation by the Traffic Commissioner, brought new opportunities for the company and services were launched from Dundee to London using second-hand Neoplan coaches. For a while, the company offered a very personal service with Brian Souter doing the driving and Ann Gloag preparing sandwiches and other snacks for the passengers.{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/markets/2812730/Business-profile-The-man-who-hates-not-getting-his-moneys-worth.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/markets/2812730/Business-profile-The-man-who-hates-not-getting-his-moneys-worth.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Brian Souter: The man who hates not getting his money's worth |work=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |date=23 July 2007}}{{cbignore}}{{cite news |url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/new-man-at-stagecoach-wheel-2724268 |title=New man at Stagecoach wheel |work=Daily Record |date=19 April 2013}}
Between 1981 and 1985, the company grew significantly, successfully competing against the then state-owned National Express Coaches and Scottish Citylink. Stagecoach entered local bus operation with the acquisition of McLennan of Spittalfield, near Perth. Its early success allowed Stagecoach to take advantage of the privatisation of the national bus groups. Several firms were purchased from London Regional Transport, the National Bus Company, Scottish Bus Group and various city councils. The company consolidated its operations during the 1990s by purchasing ex NBC and SBG bus companies that had been purchased via management buyouts and employee-owned corporations when privatised. In 1988, Stagecoach withdrew from the long-distance express coach market, selling its operations to National Express.{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ls55DAAAQBAJ&pg=PT111 |title=British Coaching: Chassis Manufacturers, Coachbuilders and Operators |first=Michael |last=Hymans |publisher=Amberley Publishing |year=2016 |isbn=978-1445661803}}
=1990s=
During the privatisation of British Rail, Porterbrook was formed as one of three rolling stock companies owning around a third of passenger railway locomotives, multiple units and coaching stock running on Network Rail's system which is leased to various train operators.{{cite magazine |title = BR's passenger trains fleet sold-off for £1.8 billion |magazine = Rail Magazine |issue = 266 |date = 22 November 1995 |page = 6}}{{cite magazine |title = 25 Years of ROSCOs |magazine = Rail Express |issue = 281 |date = October 2019 |pages = 18–21}} Porterbrook was privatised via a management buyout before being purchased by Stagecoach for £825 million during August 1996.{{cite web |url = http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/spl/aberdeen/stagecoach-aims-to-buy-trains-porterbrook-purchase-would-give-bus-and-rail-giant-one-third-of-passenger-rolling-stock-1.448010 |title = Stagecoach aims to buy trains Porterbrook purchase would give bus and rail giant one-third of passenger rolling stock |publisher = The Herald |location = Glasgow |date = 1 July 1996}}{{cite web |url = http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/porterbrook-leasing-sale-agreed.html |title = Porterbrook Leasing sale agreed |publisher = Railway Gazette International |date = 27 October 2008}} The acquisition garnered some public controversy and political criticism for the low value returned to the taxpayer.{{cite magazine |title = Stagecoach to buy Porterbrook for £475m |magazine = The Railway Magazine |issue = 1145 |date = September 1996 |page = 7}}{{cite web |url = https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/exposed-who-gets-what-from-eversholts-great-gravy-train-1279632.html |title = Exposed: Who gets what from Eversholt's great gravy train |website = The Independent |date = 20 February 1997 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200418113235/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/exposed-who-gets-what-from-eversholts-great-gravy-train-1279632.html |archive-date = 18 April 2020 |url-status=dead}} In April 2000, Stagecoach sold Porterbrook to the British banking group Abbey National in exchange for £1.44 billion.{{cite news |last= |first= |date=20 March 2000 |title=Stagecoach poised to sell Porterbrook |newspaper=Independent |location=London |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/stagecoach-poised-to-sell-porterbrook-722632.html |url-status=dead |access-date=1 January 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090213123340/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/stagecoach-poised-to-sell-porterbrook-722632.html |archive-date=13 February 2009}}{{cite magazine |title = £1.44 billion Porterbrook Sale |magazine = Entrain |issue = 54 |date = June 2000 |page = 7}}
In 1997, Stagecoach was awarded the franchise to operate the recently privatised Sheffield Supertram system, from the South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive, who owned the system. Stagecoach bought the remaining 27 years of a 30-year franchise in exchange for £1.15 million, which was substantially below the anticipated £80 million that the councils had hoped to raise to help pay off the accumulated debts to build the system.{{cite web |url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/3651587.stm |title = Losses 'jeopardising tram plans' |publisher = BBC News |date = 23 April 2005}} The franchise, which expired in March 2024, was operated under the Stagecoach Supertram brand, the company having responsibility for the operation and maintenance of the tram system. When Stagecoach took over the system, it was struggling, both financially and in terms of attracting passengers; patronage subsequently rose from 7.8 million recorded passenger journeys in 1996/97, to 15.0 million during 2011/12.{{cite web |url = https://www.independent.co.uk/news/sheffield-supertram-falls-victim-to-competition-from-cheap-buses-1336364.html |title = Sheffield supertram falls victim to competition from cheap buses |work = The Independent |date = 10 June 1996}}{{cite web |last = Vincent |first = James |url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-26663137 |title = Sheffield Supertram marks 20-year journey |publisher = BBC News |date = 21 March 2014}}
In 1998, Stagecoach diversified into another transport sector via the purchase of Scotland's Prestwick Airport in exchange for £41 million.{{cite news |url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/smgpubs/access/39252725.html?dids=39252725:39252725&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Feb+24%2C+1999&author=Ian+McConnell&pub=The+Herald&desc=Hudson+takes+to+the+wing&pqatl=google |title=Hudson Takes to the Wing |first=Ian |last=McConnell |date=24 February 1999 |work=The Glasgow Herald |access-date=24 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107061415/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/smgpubs/access/39252725.html?dids=39252725:39252725&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Feb+24,+1999&author=Ian+McConnell&pub=The+Herald&desc=Hudson+takes+to+the+wing&pqatl=google |archive-date=7 November 2012 |url-status=dead}} By the summer of 1999, the company was rumoured to have been offered some £80 million for Prestwick. In January 2001, Stagechoach opted to sell the airport for £33 million to concentrate on surface transport.{{cite news |url = https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/stagecoach-sells-off-prestwick-for-pound33m-703371.html |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090213201135/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/stagecoach-sells-off-prestwick-for-pound33m-703371.html |url-status = dead |archive-date = 13 February 2009 |title = Stagecoach sells off Prestwick for £33m |newspaper = Independent |access-date = 1 January 2009 |location=London |first=Michael |last=Harrison |date=23 January 2001}}{{cite web |url=http://www.infratil.com/our-news/infratil-news/2001/infratil-acquires-majority-shareholding-in-glasgow-prestwick-international-airport/ |title=Infratil Acquires Majority Shareholding in Glasgow Prestwick International Airport |website=Infratil.com |access-date=17 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019105731/http://www.infratil.com/our-news/infratil-news/2001/infratil-acquires-majority-shareholding-in-glasgow-prestwick-international-airport/ |archive-date=19 October 2013 |url-status=dead }}
=2000s=
File:Stagecoach Wales 52267 2.JPG Plaxton Expressliner bodied Volvo B10M in the group's 'beachball' livery]]
In late 2000, Stagecoach UK's bus operations were rationalised into twelve subsidiary companies managed from the group's Perth headquarters. The group was also rebranded in December 2000, with a new 'beachball' logo designed by Edinburgh design house McKinstrie Wilde Millhouse and a new fleet livery designed by Ray Stenning's Best Impressions design company for the group's buses. The new livery for regional operations consisted of 'swoops' on a grey base that retained the previous livery's red, orange, blue and white colours, while Stagecoach London buses maintained base red with blue and orange 'swoops' to the rear of the bus. A blue-based standard interior for new buses was also introduced, with the first UK buses featuring the group's new identity entering service in January 2001.{{cite news |author= |title=New look for Stagecoach |url=http://www.busandcoach.com/latestissue.html |url-status=dead |work=Bus & Coach Professional |date=December 2000 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010112011200/http://www.busandcoach.com:80/latestissue.html |archive-date=12 January 2001 |access-date=6 December 2023}}
On 21 November 2005, Stagecoach announced the sale of its New Zealand operations to Infratil.{{cite news |url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/4456008.stm |title = Stagecoach sells New Zealand unit |work = BBC News |access-date = 22 November 2005 |date = 21 November 2005}} On 14 December 2005, Stagecoach purchased Barnsley based Traction Group (Yorkshire Traction) for £26 million, and also assume Traction's £11 million debt. Traction operated 840 buses in South and West Yorkshire (Yorkshire Traction, Barnsley & District, Yorkshire Terrier), Lincolnshire (RoadCar) and Angus (Strathtay Scottish). Traction was the largest remaining privately owned independent bus operator in the UK.{{cite news |author= |date=15 December 2005 |title=Stagecoach buys Yorkshire Traction Group |url=http://www.busandcoach.com/newspage.aspx?id=226&categoryid=0 |url-status=dead |work=Bus & Coach Professional |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131022231254/http://www.busandcoach.com/newspage.aspx?id=226&categoryid=0 |archive-date=22 October 2013 |access-date=1 January 2009}}
Following the sale of its London bus operations to Macquarie Bank in 2006, Stagecoach UK Bus concentrated on the bus market outside the UK capital, focusing on organic growth and exploring acquisition options.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/marketforceslive/2010/oct/15/stagecoach-buys-london-bus|title=Stagecoach buys back London bus business at a discount |work=The Guardian |access-date=29 March 2013 |first=Nick |last=Fletcher |date=15 October 2010}} In September 2005, following competition with its Megabus coach operation, Stagecoach launched a joint venture with Scottish Citylink coaches. During October 2006, a competition enquiry instructed Stagecoach to sell some of its Scottish coach services.{{cite web |year = 2006 |url = http://www.busandcoach.com/newsstory.aspx?id=1043 |title = Stagecoach told to sell off services |publisher = Bus and Coach News |access-date = 24 October 2006 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071106211024/http://www.busandcoach.com/newsStory.aspx?id=1043 |archive-date = 6 November 2007 |df = dmy-all}} Stagecoach was also active in the passenger rail market, having a 49% stake in Virgin Rail Group. During 2007, the group were successful in their bid for the new East Midlands franchise, which had been created by amalgamating the previous Midland Mainline franchise with the eastern part of the former Central Trains franchise.{{cite news |url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6229246.stm |title = Stagecoach wins railway franchise |work = BBC News |access-date = 22 June 2007 |date=22 June 2007}}{{cite news |first=Ros |last=Davidson |url= https://www.theguardian.com/business/2006/sep/19/transportintheuk |title= Virgin prepares for rail franchise battle |newspaper=The Guardian |location= London |date=19 September 2006}}
File:Whitefield Metrolink Station.jpg AnsaldoBreda T-68 tram at Whitefield tram stop]]
During July 2007, Stagecoach commenced operating the Manchester Metrolink tram network.{{cite press release |title = Stagecoach named preferred bidder to run Greater Manchester's Metrolink |publisher = Greater Manchester PTE |date = 3 April 2007 |url = http://www.gmpte.com/news.cfm?news_id=5205351 |access-date = 12 April 2007 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070927043812/http://www.gmpte.com/news.cfm?news_id=5205351 |archive-date = 27 September 2007 |df = dmy-all }}{{cite news |url=http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/news/transport/public_transport/s/1454330_stagecoach-hand-over-control-of-metrolink-system-to-french-firm-ratp |title=Stagecoach hand over control of Metrolink system to French firm RATP |work=Manchester Evening News |date=2 August 2011 |last=Kirby |first=Dean |access-date=2 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811103614/http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/news/transport/public_transport/s/1454330_stagecoach-hand-over-control-of-metrolink-system-to-french-firm-ratp |archive-date=11 August 2011 |url-status=live }} In January 2009, Stagecoach purchased Preston Bus, a former rival in the Lancashire area.{{cite web |date = 30 December 2008 |url = http://www.lep.co.uk/news/Stagecoach-to-buy-39bus-war39.4829759.jp |title = Stagecoach to buy bus war rival |work = Lancashire Evening Post |access-date = 4 May 2009}} In November 2009, the Competition Commission intervened, ordering Stagecoach to sell Preston Bus after it had adversely affected competition in the area.{{cite web |url=http://www.advfn.com/lse/ShareNews.asp?sharenews=SGC&article=40303653 |title=UK Government: Stagecoach Must Sell Preston Bus Limited |publisher=ADVFN |access-date=3 April 2015}}
=2010s=
In October 2010, Stagecoach expanded further by re-acquiring East London and Selkent, Stagecoach's former London bus operations.{{cite news |title = Stagecoach buys back London bus business at a discount |work = The Guardian |date = 15 October 2010 |url = https://www.theguardian.com/business/marketforceslive/2010/oct/15/stagecoach-buys-london-bus |access-date = 15 October 2010 |first = Nick |last = Fletcher}} During August 2011, Stagecoach sold its Manchester Metrolink concession to RATP Group halfway through its ten-year contract to operate the network.{{cite news |url = https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2011/aug/02/paris-metro-running-manchester-trams |title = Manchester's trams to be run by Paris Metro firm |work = The Guardian |access-date = 4 August 2011 |location=London |first1=Helen |last1=Carter |first2=Dan |last2=Milmo |date=2 August 2011}} In December 2013, Stagecoach bought King's Lynn based Norfolk Green.{{cite web |url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/business/company-news/bus-group-purchases-norfolk-green.22988229 |work=The Herald |location=Glasgow |title=Bus Group purchases Herald Green |date=18 December 2013 |access-date=24 March 2014}} During March 2015, Virgin Trains East Coast, in which Stagecoach held a 90% shareholding, commenced operating the InterCity East Coast franchise.{{cite web |url = https://www.gov.uk/government/news/more-seats-more-services-and-new-trains-for-east-coast-passengers |title = More seats, more services and new trains for East Coast passengers |publisher = Department for Transport |date = 27 November 2014}}{{cite web |url = https://www.bbc.com/news/business-30222458 |title = Stagecoach and Virgin win East Coast mainline rail franchise |publisher = BBC News |date = 27 November 2014}} The East Coast franchise was terminated on 23 June 2018 after it was revealed that Stagecoach had overbid and were thus unable to make the agreed franchise payments.{{cite web |url = https://www.bbc.com/news/business-44142258 |title = East Coast train line to be put into public control |publisher = BBC News |date = 16 May 2018}}{{cite news |url=https://www.ft.com/content/cd4bf9c2-d51b-11e7-a303-9060cb1e5f44 |title=Stagecoach soars after government intervenes on contract |last=Elder |first=Bryce |newspaper=Financial Times |date=29 November 2017 |access-date=2 December 2017 |archive-date=3 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171203072143/https://www.ft.com/content/cd4bf9c2-d51b-11e7-a303-9060cb1e5f44 |url-status=live }}
During December 2018, it was announced that private equity house Variant would acquire Stagecoach Group's US division in exchange for $271 million; the sale was completed in April 2019.{{Cite news |url = https://www.ft.com/content/afaadcb4-0425-11e9-99df-6183d3002ee1 |title = Stagecoach sells US bus division to Variant for $271m |newspaper = Financial Times |date = 20 December 2018 |last1 = Pooley |first1 = Cat Rutter}}{{cite web |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190418100920/http://otp.investis.com/clients/uk/stagecoach/rns/regulatory-story.aspx?cid=273&newsid=1253284 |url = http://otp.investis.com/clients/uk/stagecoach/rns/regulatory-story.aspx?cid=273&newsid=1253284 |title = Completion of North America sale |publisher = Stagecoach |date = 16 April 2019|archive-date=18 April 2019}}
In April 2019, Stagecoach was disqualified from participating in three rail franchise competitions by the Department for Transport after it submitted non-compliant bids for the East Midlands, South Eastern and West Coast Partnership franchises.{{cite web |url = https://www.railjournal.com/passenger/main-line/stagecoach-disqualified-from-bidding-for-three-british-franchises/ |title = Stagecoach disqualified from bidding for three British franchises |publisher = International Railway Journal |date = 10 April 2019}}{{cite web |title=Virgin Trains 'could disappear' after franchise bar |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-47877858 |publisher=BBC News |date=10 April 2019 |access-date=10 April 2019}} One month later, the company announced that it would legally challenge the disqualification.{{cite news |url = https://www.bbc.com/news/business-48393911 |title = Stagecoach takes legal action over West Coast franchise |work = BBC News |date = 24 May 2019}}
=2020s=
{{multiple image
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| image1 = Torquay Corbyns Head - Stagecoach 15319 (YN67YKC) repainted.JPG
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| caption1 = Stagecoach South West Alexander Dennis Enviro400 MMC in the group's local services livery in Torquay
| image2 = Stagecoach in Hull 24196 - FX10 AEG.jpg
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| caption2 = Stagecoach in Hull Alexander Dennis Enviro300 bodied MAN 18.240 in the group's 'steel blue' livery in Kingston upon Hull
}}
The Stagecoach Group rebranded its operations again in February 2020, with a new simplified 'beachball' logo introduced and a new set of liveries introduced for regional bus fleets. Three individual colour schemes were initially developed to distinguish bus services:
- Local services- white with azure blue
- Longer distance - amber yellow
- Specialist services - white with ocean green (this includes park and ride, university and tourist services)
A slogan, 'Proud to Serve', was also introduced across the group.{{cite news |last1=Deakin |first1=Tim |title=Stagecoach new livery unveiled by group |url=https://www.route-one.net/operators/stagecoach-new-livery-unveiled-by-group/ |access-date=2 April 2025 |work=routeone |date=2 February 2020}} Another rebranding of the Stagecoach Group's regional bus operations began to take effect during 2024, with buses repainted into a single-colour 'steel blue' livery and the 'Proud to Serve' slogan replaced by 'We've got you'.{{cite news |title=Stagecoach rolls out more rebranded buses |url=https://cbwmagazine.com/stagecoach-rolls-out-more-rebranded-buses/ |access-date=2 April 2025 |work=Coach & Bus Week |date=18 March 2025 |location=Peterborough}}
During September 2021, it was reported that rival company National Express entered into talks to acquire Stagecoach Group.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-58636437 |title=National Express in talks to buy transport rival Stagecoach |newspaper=BBC News |date=21 September 2021 |access-date=22 September 2021}} In December 2021, a deal was agreed between the boards of the two companies: however, it was subject to both shareholder approval and regulatory scrutiny.{{cite news |url=https://www.scotsman.com/business/scottish-bus-group-stagecoach-and-national-express-combine-to-create-ps19-billion-transport-giant-3493930 |title=Scottish bus group Stagecoach and National Express combine to create £1.9 billion transport giant |newspaper=The Scotsman |date=14 December 2021 |access-date=14 December 2021}} To satisfy the Competition & Markets Authority, Stagecoach had planned to sell Megabus, its 35% shareholding in Scottish Citylink and the Falcon Coaches part of Stagecoach South West to ComfortDelGro.{{cite web |url = https://www.route-one.net/business-deals/agreement-reached-for-national-express-to-buy-stagecoach/ |title = Agreement reached for National Express to buy Stagecoach |publisher = Route One |date = 14 December 2021}}{{cite web |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211214112829/https://otp.tools.investis.com/clients/uk/stagecoach/rns/regulatory-story.aspx?cid=273&newsid=1536056 |url = https://otp.tools.investis.com/clients/uk/stagecoach/rns/regulatory-story.aspx?cid=273&newsid=1536056 |title = Sale of Scottish Citylink stake and the retain and customer service activities of Megabus UK and Falcon |publisher = Stagecoach Group |date = 14 December 2021|archive-date=14 December 2021}} Having originally recommended shareholders accept the National Express offer, in March 2022 the board of directors withdrew the recommendation in favour of a takeover offer from a DWS managed investment fund.{{cite web |url = https://www.theguardian.com/business/2022/mar/09/stagecoach-opts-for-rival-takeover-in-blow-to-national-express-merger-plan |title = Stagecoach opts for rival takeover in blow to National Express merger plan |work = The Guardian |date = 9 March 2022}}{{cite web |url = https://www.businesstravelnewseurope.com/Ground-Transport/German-investment-group-wins-battle-for-Stagecoach |title = German investment group wins battle for Stagecoach |publisher = businesstravelnewseurope.com |first = Rob |last = Gill |date = 23 May 2022}} Following this, Stagecoach instead sold Megabus and Falcon Coaches to Scottish Citylink and increased its shareholding in the joint venture to 37.5% in return.{{Cite web |date=29 July 2022 |title=Stagecoach confirms future for its inter-city coach retail operations |url=https://media.stagecoachgroup.com/news/stagecoach-confirms-future-for-its-inter-city-coach-retail-operations |access-date=2 May 2024 |website=Stagecoach Group}}
In June 2022, Stagecoach purchased London bus operator Tower Transit's Lea Interchange garage, with Stagecoach London taking on 150 buses and 11 Transport for London bus route contracts;{{Cite web |last=Willems |first=Michiel |date=27 May 2022 |title=Stagecoach strikes £20m deal to snap up Kelsian's 150 buses in east London |url=https://www.cityam.com/breaking-stagecoach-strikes-20m-deal-to-snap-up-kelsians-150-buses-in-east-london/?author_month=0&author_year=All&=1 |website=City AM}}{{cite web|url=https://www.route-one.net/business-deals/stagecoach-london-welcomes-lea-interchange-to-its-business/ |title=Stagecoach London welcomes Lea Interchange to its business |publisher=routeone |date=28 June 2022 |access-date=30 December 2022}} operations from Lea Interchange are managed under the Lea Interchange Bus Company Limited license.{{Cite web |title=Lea Interchange Bus Company Limited filing history |url=https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/13867436/filing-history |access-date=28 June 2022 |work=Companies House |language=en}} Later in August, Stagecoach acquired the London operations of the HCT Group after the company had fallen into administration, with Stagecoach acquiring a further 160 buses, 17 TfL route contracts and two bus garages from the acquisition.{{cite web |url=https://www.route-one.net/news/stagecoach-completes-purchase-of-hct-group-tfl-work/ |title=Stagecoach completes purchase of HCT Group TfL work |publisher=routeone |date=27 August 2022 |access-date=30 December 2022}}{{cite magazine |author= |date=8 September 2022 |issue=811 |page= |title=Abellio management buy-out as HCT Group's TfL operations go to Stagecoach |url=https://www.keybuses.com/article/abellio-management-buy-out-hct-groups-tfl-operations-go-stagecoach |magazine=Buses |location=Stamford |publisher=Key Publishing |access-date=30 December 2022}}
In September 2024, Stagecoach was announced as the winning bidder to operate 'buses.gg' bus services on the Bailiwick of Guernsey in the Channel Islands, taking over 20 public services as well as 24 school bus services and a fleet of 42 buses from existing operator Tower Transit, who themselves took over from the HCT Group.{{cite news |title=Stagecoach to take over Guernsey operations |url=https://cbwmagazine.com/stagecoach-to-take-over-guernsey-operations/ |access-date=2 April 2025 |work=Coach & Bus Week |date=17 September 2024 |location=Peterborough}} Services on Guernsey commenced from 1 April 2025, with the buses.gg name and livery retained, two Optare Solo SRs delivered to Guernsey on loan, and funding provision made for the delivery of six new buses, two of these being battery electric buses.{{cite news |title=Stagecoach prepares for Guernsey take-over |url=https://cbwmagazine.com/stagecoach-prepares-for-guernsey-take-over/ |access-date=2 April 2025 |work=Coach & Bus Week |date=31 March 2025 |location=Peterborough}}{{cite news |title=Stagecoach begins bus operations on Guernsey |url=https://www.route-one.net/news/stagecoach-begins-bus-operations-on-guernsey/ |access-date=2 April 2025 |work=routeone |date=1 April 2025}}
Operations
=Key people=
Stagecoach Group plc was listed on the London Stock Exchange. Founder Brian Souter and his sister Ann Gloag were the largest shareholders with a combined 26% shareholding at April 2019.[https://www.stagecoachgroup.com/~/media/Files/S/Stagecoach-Group/Attachments/media/press/pr2019/annual-report-2019.pdf Annual Report 30 April 2019] Stagecoach plc
UK operating companies
The following is a breakdown of the Stagecoach operating divisions. The centre of each operating region is shown in parentheses. Legal company names are listed alongside the trading names for that company.
=Bus division=
Bus division operations are as follows:{{cite web |url=https://www.stagecoachbus.com/about/opcomap |title=Opco map |publisher=Stagecoach Group |access-date=25 April 2017}}
| class="wikitable"
|+ Stagecoach UK bus divisions | |||
| Division | Headquarters | Local brands | Legal name and other notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stagecoach Cumbria & North Lancashire
| Carlisle |
| Cumberland Motor Services | |||
| Stagecoach East
|
| Cambus | |||
| Stagecoach East Midlands
| Lincoln |
| Lincolnshire Road Car Co | |||
| Stagecoach East Scotland
|
| Fife Scottish Omnibuses | |||
| Stagecoach London
| | East London Bus & Coach Co. | |||
| Stagecoach Manchester
|
| |||
| Stagecoach Merseyside & South Lancashire
|
| Ribble Motor Services | |||
| Stagecoach Midlands
|
| Midland Red (South) (Warwickshire) | |||
| Stagecoach North East
|
| |||
| Stagecoach Highlands
|
| Highland Country Buses | |||
| Stagecoach Bluebird
| Aberdeen |
| Northern Scottish Omnibuses Ltd. | |||
| Stagecoach South
|
| Alder Valley | |||
| Stagecoach South East
|
| |||
| Stagecoach South Wales
| Cwmbran |
| Aberdare Bus Company Ltd | |||
| Stagecoach South West
| Exeter |
| Devon General | |||
| Stagecoach West
|
| Cheltenham & Gloucester Omnibus Co | |||
| Stagecoach West Scotland
| Ayr |
| Western Buses | |||
| Stagecoach Yorkshire & Chesterfield
| Barnsley |
| Yorkshire Traction Co |
File:Saltash Fore Street - Stagecoach 26037 (YX65RDO) repainted.JPG|Stagecoach Devon Alexander Dennis Enviro200 MMC in April 2022
File:Stagecoach 84169 (LG71DSE) North Greenwich 07.10.2023.jpg|Stagecoach London Alexander Dennis Enviro400EV in October 2023
File:BNSC 18925 R330.jpg|Stagecoach Manchester Wright StreetDeck in January 2025
File:KX61GEU Stagecoach Bluebird 53642 Volvo B9R with Plaxton pantehr 2 bodywork (52491745779).jpg|Stagecoach Bluebird Plaxton Panther bodied Volvo B9R in September 2022
==Brands==
File:YX70LUW Stagecoach in Oxfordshire Oxford Tube 50532 Volvo B11RLET with Plaxton Panorama Elite bodywork.jpg Plaxton Panorama bodied Volvo B11R at Victoria Coach Station in September 2022]]
Apart from the ordinary bus operations and no-frills services, the UK bus division has the following brands that extend across operating divisions.
- Stagecoach Express – an express coach service that operates mainly between towns and cities where Stagecoach operate. It tends not to compete with National Express like Megabus, and in some cases tickets are available through the National Express website.{{cite web|url=https://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm199798/cmselect/cmenvtra/1141/8111804.htm|title=Integrated Transport White Paper|access-date=25 April 2017}}
- Oxford Tube – an express coach service offering high frequency 24-hour services to London, operated by Stagecoach West.{{cite web|url=http://www.europebus.co.uk/london-to-oxford-with-oxford-espress-and-oxford-tube-coach/|title=London to Oxford by direct coach|publisher=Europe bus|access-date=25 April 2017}}
- Citi – some urban networks have received Citi branding, such as Cambridge, Exeter & Peterborough; although much of this brand has now been withdrawn.{{cite web|url=http://www.visitcambridge.org/visitor-information/getting-around-cambridge|title=Getting Around Cambridge|access-date=25 April 2017}}
- Stagecoach Gold – a luxury bus service brand designed to attract middle class travellers to public transport, generally on the most important and high-profile routes within an area served by Stagecoach (e.g. Sheffield to Chesterfield). Gold buses typically feature a special blue and gold colour scheme, leather seats, and on-board Wi-Fi access. Both single-decker and double-decker gold buses are used.{{cite web|url=https://www.stagecoachbus.com/promos-and-offers/yorkshire/stagecoach-gold|title=Stagecoach Gold X17 – luxury at no extra cost|access-date=25 April 2017}}
- Stagecoach SimpliBus operates in the East Midlands.{{cite web|url=https://thelincolnite.co.uk/2018/01/stagecoach-rolls-out-3m-new-buses-and-timetables-for-lincoln/|title=Stagecoach rolls out £3m new buses and timetables for Lincoln|date=23 January 2018|publisher=The Lincolnite|access-date=30 March 2018}}
==Fleet numbers==
The Stagecoach Group number their buses using a system that applies for the life of the bus or until it is sold, as follows:{{cite web|url=http://www.sdwebsite.co.uk/fleet/sdstagecoachfleetlist.php|title=Stagecoach fleet list|publisher=SD Website|access-date=26 April 2017}}
- 10000 – 19999: diesel-powered double-decker buses
- 20000 – 29999: diesel-powered single-decker buses
- 30000 – 39999: diesel-powered door-forward midibuses
- 40000 – 49999: diesel & electric-powered minibuses and wheel-forward midibuses
- 50000 – 59999: coaches
- 60000 – 69999: New Routemasters, electric midibuses and other specialised vehicles
- 70000 – 79999: electric single-decker buses
- 80000 – 89999: electric and other alternative fuel double-decker buses
- 90000 – 99999: pool cars, staff transport vehicles, etc.
Former operations
=East Midlands Trains=
Stagecoach commenced operating the new East Midlands Trains franchise in November 2007 that took over all of Midland Mainline's and some of Central Trains services.{{cite web |year = 2007 |url = http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/rail/passenger/franchises/emfranchise |title = More services and extra capacity for the Midlands |publisher = Department for Transport |access-date = 5 January 2008 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071211125313/http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/rail/passenger/franchises/emfranchise |archive-date = 11 December 2007}} During August 2019, it ceased operating when the franchise was taken over by Abellio East Midlands Railway.{{cite web |url = https://www.gov.uk/government/news/more-seats-services-and-state-of-the-art-trains-for-passengers-on-new-east-midlands-railway |title = More seats and services and state of the art trains for passengers on new East Midlands railway |publisher = Department for Transport |date = 10 April 2019}}
=Manchester Metrolink=
In July 2007, Stagecoach took over the operation of Manchester Metrolink on a 10-year fixed-term management contract, beating competition from Keolis, Serco and Transdev, to make it the biggest tram operator in the UK.{{cite web |year = 2007 |url = http://www.gmpte.com/news.cfm?news_id=5461495 |title = Stagecoach's Metrolink journey starts on Sunday |publisher = Greater Manchester Public Transport Executive |access-date = 19 July 2007 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070927043819/http://www.gmpte.com/news.cfm?news_id=5461495 |archive-date = 27 September 2007 |df = dmy-all}} This system was the first modern tram system in the United Kingdom, opening just before the Sheffield system in 1992. Nearly 18 million people ride on the system a year. Stagecoach sold the Metrolink business to RATP Group in August 2011.{{cite magazine |url=http://www.railwaygazette.com/nc/news/single-view/view/ratp-buys-manchester-metrolink-operator.html |title=RATP buys Manchester Metrolink operator |date=2 August 2011 |magazine=Railway Gazette International}}
=Sheffield Supertram=
File:20200729 Sheffield Supertram 203.jpg in July 2020]]
Stagecoach operated the Sheffield Supertram under a concession from the South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive between 1997 and 2024.{{cite web|url=http://www.thetrams.co.uk/supertram/history.php|title=Sheffield Supertram: History|access-date=22 August 2007|publisher=TheTrams.co.uk}} Its average daily ridership is 33,700, equalling more than 12 million per year, well above expectations. At the time of the concession's expiry, there were three light rail transit lines and a later tram-train service to Rotherham. Future plans included schemes to Dore, Fulwood and Maltby; following consultations, a reduced scheme with an extension to Broomhill was being considered as of 2017.{{cite web |url=http://www.broomhillonline.org.uk/archive/BANG_15.htm |title=Bromhill on line |access-date=25 April 2017}} The concession expired in March 2024, with the operation of Supertram returning to the public sector.{{cite news |last=Constable |first=Oli |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-68626506 |title=South Yorkshire's Supertram back in public control| work=BBC News |date=22 March 2024 |access-date=22 March 2024}}
=South West Trains=
Stagecoach ran the South West Trains franchise from February 1996 to August 2017. It retained the franchise for three years from February 2004 and for a further 10 years from February 2007.{{cite news |url = https://www.theguardian.com/business/2006/sep/22/transportintheuk.money |title = Stagecoach wins South West Trains contract |work = The Guardian |access-date = 5 January 2008 |location=London |date=22 September 2006 |first=Ros |last=Davidson}} The franchise passed to First MTR South Western Railway on 20 August 2017{{cite web |url = http://www.londonstockexchange.com/exchange/news/market-news/market-news-detail/FGP/13171647.html |title = FirstGroup and MTR welcome South Western rail franchise award |publisher = London Stock Exchange |date = 27 March 2017}}
- Island Line Trains – The rail system on the Isle of Wight, was also operated by Stagecoach from October 1996 to August 2017. In February 2007 it was merged into the South Western franchise.{{cite web |year = 2007 |url = http://www.tssa.org.uk/article-118.php3?id_article=3309 |title = TUPE transfer to Stagecoach South Western Trains Limited |publisher = TSSA |access-date = 5 January 2008}}
=Stagecoach Rail=
In 1992, shortly before the privatisation of British Rail, Stagecoach Rail briefly operated a modest InterCity operation between Aberdeen and London. Two British Railways Mark 2 passenger carriages were re-branded in Stagecoach colours and attached to a scheduled British Rail InterCity sleeper service.{{cite web |year = 2008 |url = http://www.stagecoachgroup.com/scg/about/history/ |title = Stagecoach Group Company History |publisher = Stagecoach Group |access-date = 4 January 2008 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100417155749/http://www.stagecoachgroup.com/scg/about/history |archive-date = 17 April 2010 |df = dmy-all }}
=Virgin CrossCountry=
File:Virgin Voyager 220003 2005-06-09 03.jpg Class 220 Voyager at Bristol Temple Meads in June 2005]]
Virgin Rail Group operated the CrossCountry franchise as Virgin CrossCountry from January 1997{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/virgin-to-run-crosscountry-trains-1352306.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220524/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/virgin-to-run-crosscountry-trains-1352306.html |archive-date=24 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Virgin to run CrossCountry trains|work=The Independent|date=14 November 1996|access-date=26 April 2017}} until November 2007 when it passed to Arriva.{{cite web |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/markets/2811930/Arriva-wins-Cross-Country-rail-routes.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/markets/2811930/Arriva-wins-Cross-Country-rail-routes.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title= Arriva wins Cross Country rail routes |date=11 June 2007 |work=The Telegraph |access-date=26 April 2017}}{{cbignore}}
=Virgin Trains East Coast=
File:43 316 at Kings Cross by Hugh Llewelyn.jpg Class 43 at King's Cross in September 2015]]
Virgin Trains East Coast, in which Stagecoach held a 90% shareholding, operated the InterCity East Coast franchise from March 2015 to June 2018.
=Virgin Trains West Coast=
The group has held a 49% stake in Virgin Rail Group since October 1998. Virgin Rail Group operated the InterCity West Coast franchise as Virgin Trains West Coast from March 1997 until December 2019.{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/virgin-pledges-tilt-trains-for-west-coast-1286084.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220524/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/virgin-pledges-tilt-trains-for-west-coast-1286084.html |archive-date=24 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Virgin pledges tilt trains for West Coast |first=Michael |last=Harrison |date=31 January 1997 |work=The Independent |access-date=4 October 2012}}{{cite web |url = https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/virgin-trains-end-franchise-rail-lose-bid-pensions-london-euston-edinburgh-a8862811.html |title = Virgin Trains to disappear in less than a year due to pensions row |work = The Independent |date = 10 April 2019}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-50699164|title=Virgin Trains: Final service departs as UK's longest-running rail franchise ends |work=BBC News |date=8 December 2019}}
=Australia=
In 1999, Stagecoach purchased the school bus operations of Sunbus in the Cairns, Ipswich and Sunshine Coast regions of Queensland. These were sold in 2002 to:{{cite web |url=https://fleetlists.busaustralia.com/qld.php?info=BLQ |title=Buslink Queensland History |publisher=Australian Bus Fleet Lists |access-date=26 April 2017}}
- Cairns: Love's Bus Service
- Ipswich: Pulitano Group
- Sunshine Coast: Buslink Queensland
=Hong Kong=
Image:HP6440@11.jpg MAN NL262 in Hong Kong in Stagecoach livery]]
In 1994, Stagecoach created a bus-operating subsidiary in Hong Kong which operated residential bus services. It ceased operation in April 1996.{{cite web |url=http://www.orientalmodelbuses.co.uk/Volvo/Olympian/43217.htm |title=Stagecoach Hong Kong |publisher=Oriental Model Buses |access-date=26 April 2017}}
During 1999, Stagecoach planned to become the largest bus company in China through joint ventures, equity stakes and partnerships, and confirmed the £181 million acquisition of Hong Kong's Citybus. Stagecoach acquired control of Citybus Group, which provided franchised bus services on Hong Kong Island and to and from Hong Kong International Airport as well as non-franchised services throughout Hong Kong, in March 1999 and then completed the privatisation of Citybus on 17 July 1999.{{cite web |url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/257522.stm |title = Stagecoach enters Hong Kong |publisher = BBC News |date = 18 January 1999}}
In June 2003, the operation was sold to Chow Tai Fook Enterprises, the parent company of the major rival operator New World First Bus.{{cite web |url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/2974220.stm |title = Stagecoach sells HK buses |publisher = BBC News |date = 9 June 2003}}{{cite web |url = https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/2854416/Stagecoach-takes-the-176m-road-away-from-Hong-Kong.html |title = Stagecoach takes the £176m road away from Hong Kong |publisher = The Telegraph |date = 10 June 2003}}
=Kenya=
In November 1991, Stagecoach Holdings (as it was named then), bought United Transport's shareholding in Kenya Bus Services. During its tenure, Stagecoach rapidly expanded the fleet, introducing the Express Services and the modern double decker buses back on Kenyan roads. During October 1998 a consortium of investors led by Karanja Kabage as chairman acquired Kenya Bus Services from Stagecoach Holdings which owned 95% of the business.{{cite web |url=http://www.ssatp.org/sites/ssatp/files/publications/Presentations/KenyaBusService.pdf |title= Metamorphosis of Kenya Bus in the Provision of Urban Transport in Nairobi |publisher=Africa Transport Policy Programme |access-date=26 April 2017}}
=New Zealand=
Image:WellingtonTrolleybuses.jpg Hawke bodied Volvo B58 trolleybus in Wellington]]
Stagecoach New Zealand was a wholly owned part of the Stagecoach Group, which provided bus services in Auckland, Wellington and the Hutt Valley and nine ferry routes in Auckland. It was the largest bus company in New Zealand when sold. Stagecoach NZ started operations when the firm acquired Wellington City Transport, including the Hutt Valley suburban bus operations of the New Zealand Railways Road Services, branded CityLine, in the 1990s. Following this initial acquisition Stagecoach also purchased Eastbourne Buses, The Yellow Bus Company in Auckland and a controlling interest in Fullers Auckland. In November 2005, the business was sold to Infratil and rebranded as NZ Bus.{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/4456008.stm |title=Stagecoach sells New Zealand unit |date=21 November 2015 |publisher=BBC |access-date=26 April 2017}}
=North America=
Stagecoach carried out bus operations in the northeastern and midwestern United States and in eastern Canada. Businesses were focused on commuter services, and included tour and charter, sightseeing, local, and school bus operations:
- Coach USA – operating primarily in the northeastern United States providing subsidised transit services (primarily in Greater New York), sightseeing, and charter services, and in the midwestern United States with primarily charter and sightseeing services. Yellow school bus services are also provided by Coach USA in the state of Wisconsin.{{cite web |url= http://www.coachusa.com/ |title=Coach USA |access-date=26 April 2017}}
- Megabus – discount express bus services radiating from Chicago and New York City. Like Megabus in the United Kingdom, most stops are made at street locations.{{cite web |url= http://us.megabus.com/ |title=Megabus |access-date=26 April 2017}}
- Coach Canada – serving primarily Ontario and Quebec, where it operates interurban and chartered bus services, contract bus services in Durham, yellow school bus service in Durham Region and Peterborough County in Ontario, and sightseeing services in Montreal.{{cite web |url=http://www.coachcanada.com/coachcanada/language.asp |title=Coach Canada |access-date=26 April 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170426131226/http://www.coachcanada.com/coachcanada/language.asp |archive-date=26 April 2017 |df=dmy-all}}
In December 2018, Stagecoach announced it had agreed to sell all of its North American operations to Variant Equity Advisors with the deal concluded in April 2019.{{cite web |url = https://www.stagecoachgroup.com/media/news-releases/2018/2018-12-19.aspx |title = Sale of North America Division for Estimated Enterprise Value of US$271M |publisher = Stagecoach |date = 19 December 2018}}{{cite web |url = https://cbwmagazine.com/stagecoach-sells-off-north-american-division-for-271m/ |title = Stagecoach sells off North American division for $271m |publisher = Coach & Bus Week |date = 21 December 2018}}{{cite magazine |title = Stagecoach agrees to sell Coach USA |magazine = Buses |issue = 767 |date = February 2019 |page = 6}}
=Portugal=
Stagecoach Portugal had its origins in the re-privatisation of Portuguese bus and coach operation, which had been nationalised after the 1974 Revolution. In 1990, the nationalised Rodoviária Nacional was split into ten components. In the capital, Lisbon, Rodoviária de Lisboa was the chief operator outside the city itself, where Carris provided city bus and tram services. The name of Rodoviária de Lisboa survived as part of the Barraqueiro bus company, but another part, serving the area to the west of Lisbon, became Stagecoach Portugal in 1995. A further portion still operates as Vimeca – Viação Mecânica de Carnaxide. During June 2001, Stagecoach announced the sale of their Portuguese operations to ScottURB for £14 million.{{cite web |url = https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/2722408/Stagecoach-to-shed-Portuguese-fleet.html |archive-url = https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/2722408/Stagecoach-to-shed-Portuguese-fleet.html |archive-date = 12 January 2022 |url-access = subscription |url-status = live |title = Stagecoach to shed Portuguese fleet |work = The Telegraph |date = 17 June 2001 |access-date = 18 June 2001}}{{cbignore}}
=Nordic countries=
In October 1996, during Stagecoach's International buying spree, it made its most important international acquisition at the time, buying Swebus AB, the bus-company arm of the Swedish State Railways (SJ), for 1.2 billion kronor ($164 million), which also included operations in Denmark, Finland and Norway.{{cite web |url= https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/stagecoach-seals-pounds-230m-takeover-of-swebus-1361784.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220524/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/stagecoach-seals-pounds-230m-takeover-of-swebus-1361784.html |archive-date=24 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title = Stagecoach seals pounds 230m takeover of Swebus |date=3 November 1996|work=The Independent |access-date=26 April 2017}} The operations in Norway included only city and regional traffic in three minor cities around lake Mjøsa, but several unsuccessful bids on operators in the Oslo area led to Stagecoach selling out to Norgesbuss during April 1997. The Danish operations never proved profitable, and were sold to Combus in autumn of 1997. The operations in Finland were more successful, and were in April 1998 renamed Stagecoach Finland. In spring of 1997, Swebus Express was started as an intercity coach service between several cities in southern parts of Sweden, sporting the Stagecoach livery of the time. Stagecoach in 1998 announced that it had bid for several rail franchises in Sweden. On 27 October 1999, Stagecoach revealed that it was going to sell Swebus to Concordia Bus for £100 million, to refocus its bus operation on the United States and Asia.{{cite web |url = https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/stagecoach-loses-pound123m-on-sale-of-swebus-740507.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220524/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/stagecoach-loses-pound123m-on-sale-of-swebus-740507.html |archive-date=24 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Stagecoach loses £123m on sale of Swebus |date=27 October 1999 |work=The Independent |access-date=26 April 2017}}
No-frills brands
Stagecoach operate a number of so-called "no-frills" services across the United Kingdom and the United States. Applying the business model of the low-cost carrier air lines, these services aim to offer cheaper alternatives to the established operators in the bus, coach and rail markets, by reducing costs, and offering extremely low fares for the earliest bookings, rising nearer the journey time:
=Magic Bus=
{{Main|Magic Bus (Stagecoach)}}
File:Stagecoach Manchester (Magicbus) 17614 V614DJA (8589270163).jpg Alexander ALX400 bodied Dennis Trident 2 in Manchester in March 2013]]
Magic Bus was the first no-frills brand of Stagecoach. It was first used in red lettering on ex London Regional Transport AEC Routemasters, otherwise painted in Stagecoach stripes, in competition in Glasgow. Later, an allover blue with yellow lettering was adopted, on older service buses with simple fares and no travel passes, usually operated on routes with strong competition from other operators, most notably on the Manchester Piccadilly to East Didsbury Wilmslow Road bus corridor route in Manchester, but also in Newcastle upon Tyne and East Scotland (as Magic Mini). In 2008 Stagecoach Merseyside introduced a Magic Bus service competing with themselves and Arriva North West on the busy route 14 corridor, Magic Bus 14C runs every 7/8 minutes between City Centre and Broadway. By 2012, only the Manchester Magic Bus remained, these being upgraded from Volvo Olympians and Dennis Dragons to Alexander ALX400 and East Lancs bodied Dennis Trident 2s.{{cite news |url= http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/magic-bus-1-price-raise-12794446 |title= The price of the Magic bus is going UP by 50p... and students are not happy |date=24 March 2017 |newspaper=Manchester Evening News |access-date=26 April 2017}}
=Megabus=
{{Main|Megabus (North America)|Megabus (Europe)}}
File:Megabus 50245 SV12 DVW 2.jpg Van Hool Astromega in September 2012]]
Megabus is a low cost, "no-frills" intercity coach service launched in the United Kingdom by Stagecoach in 2003, on 10 April 2006 in the United States, and in 2009 within Canada. Its main rival in the UK is National Express, who have had to lower their prices to compete with Megabus. In the US, Megabus/Eastern Shuttle's main rival is BoltBus, which is 50% owned by Stagecoach rival FirstGroup. In the UK, the Megabus network covers most of the island of Great Britain, although some routes offer only one journey per day. Originally operated using high capacity, but older coach-seated vehicles, most services are now operated with new modern single or double deck coaches. In the United States, services radiate from Chicago and New York City, but the networks are not connected. In both the UK and the US, to cut costs, most services use on-street bus stops, rather than pay for access to coach stations (except in cases where pre-existing routes were converted to Megabus lines). A notable exception to this is the use of London Victoria Coach Station.{{cite web |url= https://www.londontoolkit.com/briefing/coaches_megabus.html |title=Megabus services to and from London |publisher=London Tool Kit |access-date=26 April 2017}}
=Megatrain=
{{Main|Megatrain}}
On 14 November 2005, the Megabus concept was extended to certain rail services, with the introduction of Megatrain between London and Southampton, and London and Portsmouth, using a dedicated carriage on selected South West Trains services. It was later extended to some Virgin Trains services (since withdrawn) and to selected East Midlands Trains services. In 2009, the Megabusplus concept was introduced, under which certain trips are begun on a train and are then completed on a bus. Unlike the original Megatrain concept, this service is available seven days a week.{{cite news |url=http://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/rivals-fear-1-london-service/story-11973550-detail/story.html |title=Rivals do not fear £1 London service |date=27 March 2009 |newspaper=Hull Daily Mail |access-date=26 April 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140103213514/http://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/Rivals-fear-1-London-service/story-11973550-detail/story.html |archive-date=3 January 2014 |df=dmy-all}}
Scottish Citylink
{{Main|Scottish Citylink}}
File:Stagecoach in the Highlands coach 53109 (SV09 EGD), Showbus 2010.jpg bodied Volvo B12B in September 2010]]
In September 2005, Stagecoach and ComfortDelGro announced a joint venture in the provision of express coach services in Scotland, ending intense competition between ComfortDelGro's subsidiary Scottish Citylink and Stagecoach subsidiaries Megabus and Motorvator. Under the terms of the joint venture, the Stagecoach Group acquires a 35% stake in Scottish Citylink Coaches Ltd, with Citylink assuming certain rights to the Megabus and Motorvator brands in Scotland.{{cite web |year = 2006 |url = http://www.stagecoachgroup.com/scg/media/press/pr2005/2005-09-13/ |title = Scottish Citylink joint venture |publisher = Stagecoach Group |access-date = 13 September 2006 |url-status = dead|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20061110095243/http://www.stagecoachgroup.com/scg/media/press/pr2005/2005-09-13/ |archive-date = 10 November 2006|df = dmy-all}}
The Competition Commission ruled in October 2006 that the joint venture substantially reduced competition and that evidence suggested some routes were already experiencing higher fares as a result.{{cite web |year = 2006 |url = http://www.competition-commission.org.uk/rep_pub/reports/2006/516citylink.htm|title = Stagecoach/Scottish Citylink inquiry |publisher = Competition Commission |access-date = 23 October 2006 |url-status = usurped |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070108154147/http://www.competition-commission.org.uk/rep_pub/reports/2006/516citylink.htm |archive-date = 8 January 2007 |df = dmy-all}} Though no firm conclusion was drawn, regulators are to consult the two companies about what they need to do to comply with competition regulations and they have indicated that this will likely lead to the forced divestment of some services to an independent operator. The ruling was criticised by Stagecoach as leaving vital services in limbo and jeopardising Scotland's intercity coach network, making it unable to compete effectively with rail and private car journeys.{{cite news |url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/604015.stm |title = StagecoachScottish Citylink response to Competition Commission announcement |publisher = Stagecoach Group |access-date = 23 October 2006 |date=14 January 2000}}
To satisfy the commission, some Citylink routes were sold to Parks Motor Group in early 2008.{{Cite news |title = Scottish Citylink Completes Sale of Services |publisher = Competition Commission |date = 5 February 2008}}
Controversy
File:Section28-cropped.jpg protestor in Manchester in July 2000]]
=Competitive strategy=
Following the deregulation of bus services in the United Kingdom, Stagecoach bought a number of the newly emerged small bus companies and ran free or low fare buses to put local rivals out of business.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/612409.stm |title=UK | Brian Souter: Stagecoach's straightman |work=BBC News |date=21 January 2000 |access-date=5 February 2012}} In Darlington, Stagecoach subsidiary Busways offered bounties to recruit drivers away from the existing bus service and offered free buses to deter the rival preferred bidder from taking over the existing bus service. This was "predatory, deplorable and against the public interest" according to findings from the Monopolies & Mergers Commission.{{cite news |first=Glenda |last=Cooper |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/stagecoach-set-record-of-shame-ful-record-of-shame-1527193.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220524/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/stagecoach-set-record-of-shame-ful-record-of-shame-1527193.html |archive-date=24 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Stagecoach set record of shame ful record of shame – Home News – UK |work=The Independent |date=24 December 1995 |access-date=5 February 2012 |location=London}}{{cite web |url=http://www.competition-commission.org.uk/rep_pub/reports/1995/371bus.htm |title=The supply of bus services in the north-east of England |publisher=Competition Commission |access-date=5 February 2012 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120204082405/http://www.competition-commission.org.uk/rep_pub/reports/1995/371bus.htm |archive-date=4 February 2012 |df=dmy-all }}
In 2000, Stagecoach Manchester was found to have been employing bus inspectors to usher passengers away from competitor's services.{{cite web |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110203120413/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/stagecoach-found-guilty-of-bus-war-dirty-tricks-627146.html |url = http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/stagecoach-found-guilty-of-bus-war-dirty-tricks-627146.html |title = Stagecoach found guilty of bus war dirty tricks |work = The Independent |date = 3 December 2000|archive-date=3 February 2011}} During 2005, alleged aggressive behaviour by Stagecoach drivers, seeking to compete with Scotbus, resulted in an arson fire at a Stagecoach East Scotland garage.{{cite news |url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/4713656.stm |title = Man jailed over bus depot fires |work = BBC News |access-date = 14 February 2006 |date=14 February 2006}}
Between 2006 and 2007, Stagecoach Manchester and UK North engaged in a bus war on route 192 and on the Wilmslow Road bus corridor that caused traffic chaos in Manchester.{{cite web |url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/manchester/4871214.stm |title = Council concerns over 'bus war' |publisher = BBC News |date = 3 April 2006}}{{cite web |url = http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/bus-wars-get-it-sorted-1041884 |title = Bus wars: Get it sorted |publisher = Manchester Evening News |date = 15 February 2007}} In November 2009, the Competition Commission ordered Stagecoach to sell Preston Bus after it had adversely affected competition in the area; the sale was completed as instructed in January 2011.{{cite web |url = http://www.competition-commission.org.uk/assets/competitioncommission/docs/pdf/non-inquiry/press_rel/2009/nov/pdf/51-09.pdf |title = Preston Bus to be Sold |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131019120120/http://www.competition-commission.org.uk/assets/competitioncommission/docs/pdf/non-inquiry/press_rel/2009/nov/pdf/51-09.pdf |archive-date = 19 October 2013 |publisher = Competition Commission |url-status = usurped |date = 11 November 2009}}{{cite web |url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/lancashire/8354043.stm |title = Company must sell 'bus war' rival |publisher = BBC News |date = 11 November 2009}}{{cite web |url = http://www.lep.co.uk/news/local/stagecoach-must-sell-preston-bus-1-131665 |title = Stagecoach must sell Preston Bus |publisher = Lancashire Evening Post |date = 11 November 2009}}
=Controversial chairman=
The Stagecoach Group has also indirectly attracted criticism through controversial statements and actions made by its chairman and co-founder, Brian Souter, regarding certain public statements and his funding of a campaign to block the repeal of the Section 28 law. In 2000, OutRage! spokesman Peter Tatchell, called for a boycott of the bus and rail group.{{cite news |url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/604015.stm |title = Boycott call in Stagecoach 'anti-gay' row |work = BBC News |access-date = 7 November 2007 |date = 14 January 2000}}
Guided Busway
Stagecoach operate buses along the Cambridgeshire Guided Busway. The Guide wheels on the side of the buses, combined with a specially built track mean that hands free driving is possible. The main advantages of a guided busway, versus a normal road are higher speeds (meaning increased capacity) and increased safety as traffic of differing directions is physically separated.{{cite news |work = BBC News |last = Scott |first = Richard |date = 8 August 2011 |title = hands-free bus |url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-14405734 |access-date = 14 April 2012}}
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
Further reading
- {{cite magazine |title=The real Stagecoach story... |first=Christian |last=Wolmar |magazine=Rail |issue=34 2|publisher=EMAP Apex Publications |date=21 October – 3 November 1998 |pages=24–28 |issn=0953-4563 |oclc=49953699}}
External links
- [https://www.stagecoachgroup.com Company website]
- {{Commons category-inline}}
- {{Commons category-inline|Stagecoach UK Bus}}
{{StagecoachGroup}}
{{Major UK Transport Companies}}
{{Bus companies in Scotland}}
{{Bus transport in the United Kingdom}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Bus groups in the United Kingdom
Category:Companies formerly listed on the London Stock Exchange