22/02/2010

• Transport consultants TAS find Stagecoach offers cheapest fares
• Average fares up to 30% lower than other major UK operators
• Passengers also benefit from continued investment despite cost rises

Stagecoach offers the best value bus fares in Britain, according to an authoritative independent survey.

Respected independent transport consultants TAS has found that Stagecoach offers significantly lower commuter, leisure and shopping fares than the UK’s other major transport groups.

TAS found that average prices paid by Stagecoach customers were up to 30% less than those charged by the other major UK bus operators – First Group, Arriva, Go Ahead and National Express.

The consultancy carried out a major national survey of fare levels in different markets up and down the country.

On each journey type, Stagecoach was rated as offering the lowest average fares of any of the UK’s “Big Five” bus companies. The survey also found that Stagecoach consistently offered lower prices than independent operators. (See Notes to Editors).

Stagecoach’s market-leading position on low fares is despite significant increases in bus industry costs. Separate analysis published in December in the 2009 edition of the TAS Bus Industry Performance report found that rises in wages, fuel and pensions costs have meant bus operating costs have risen by more than 19% above inflation in five years.

Passengers using Stagecoach services are continuing to benefit from multi-million pound investment in new vehicles despite the economic downturn, while receiving punctual and reliable services.

Brian Souter, Stagecoach Group Chief Executive, said: “Stagecoach is officially Britain’s low fares bus operator. This new research confirms that our passengers get an unrivalled package of low fares and high quality services. We will continue to work hard to make sure we offer value for money and a greener, smarter way to travel.”

A Stagecoach survey in August 2008 of more than 30 key locations around the UK found that travel on its bus services was up to a massive 80% cheaper than commuting by car. Consumers were able to save up to £3,000 a year by getting on board public transport.

Stagecoach is also continuing to invest in improving services for passengers. In 2009-10, the company is investing more than £70m on over 430 new vehicles for the company's bus operations in Scotland, England and Wales. This summer, a fleet of 56 double-decker hybrid vehicles will go into service in Manchester and Oxford, with 30% less carbon emissions than standard vehicles.

ENDS

For further information, please contact Stagecoach Group Communications on 01738 442111 or email media@stagecoachgroup.com.

NOTES TO EDITORS

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. Stagecoach is one of UK’s biggest bus and coach operators, running around 7,000 vehicles from south-west England to the Highlands and Islands of Scotland and carrying around 2 million passengers every day.

TAS National Fares Survey 2009, Urban Single Fare Levels by Ownership

TABLE 1 - COMMUTER FARES

TABLE 2 - LEISURE & SHOPPING FARES

TABLE 3 – ADULT SINGLE FARES

TABLE 4 – STAGECOACH AND INDEPENDENT OPERATOR FARES