On Stage Issue 71 - Stagecoach Group

GREEN TRAVEL
GAINS GROUND
CONSUMER concerns about
the environment and health are
helping drive a shift from car
travel to greener public transport,
according to new research.
More than 10% of people surveyed
by Stagecoach Group have changed
their mode of transport in the last
three years as public concern about
climate change continues to grow in
the UK.
Stagecoach found that, of those
who had previously used the car,
36% had switched to the bus, 30%
now walked and 5% changed to
travel by train.
The study of more than 4,000
consumers revealed that 12% of
respondents changed mode as a
result of environmental considerations,
while 20% cited health
reasons.
Some 47% of respondents said they
were using their car less, with 36%
stating an increased use of buses
Safety first
DAVID Maxwell is East Midlands
Trains’ new Safety and Environmental
Director.
David (44), who’s originally
from Liverpool, was most
recently Head of Safety and
Environment for Westinghouse
and has worked in the rail
industry for over 20 years.
His latest move marks a full
circle for David as he spent part
of his early railway career as a
British Rail Management trainee
based at Derby back in 1987.
David said: “I have worked in
many roles in the industry from
the footplate to the boardroom
and I want to make a true
difference to our safety record
and environmental impact.
“I believe that, by engaging
with our staff, we will drive
improvements in these two key
areas.”
David lives in Tamworth and
has two teenage sons. He is a
member of the Territorial Army
where he is a Sergeant in 275
Railway Troop, part of the Royal
Logistic Corps.
In his spare time he also finds
time to play rugby union and
enjoys travelling and hill walking.
and 19% said they made more use
of trains.
Research also found that:
with a company whose ethics
supported the environment
more for public transport that is
environmentally sustainable
the car to the bus if it was fuelled
by biodiesel.
Brian Souter, Stagecoach Group
Chief Executive, said: “These
results confirm that environmental
concerns are increasingly driving
customer behaviour and a growing
number of people are now making
more intelligent use of the car.
“With increasing car congestion
and high fuel prices, we are starting
to see a fundamental shift towards
public transport.
“We believe there is significant
Public transport is ahead of cars in the race for greener, smarter travel.
opportunity to attract more people
to greener, smarter travel to help
them reduce their carbon footprint
and tackle the challenge of climate
change.”
The survey results were revealed
as Stagecoach continued a major
drive to make its own business more
sustainable and attract more people
St Pancras International station has put many more Europe-bound passengers on the trains.
YOUNG rugby enthusiasts have
been given a smart boost by
their local bus company.
Stagecoach in Fife teamed
up with Beath High School’s
rugby team, the Beath Bulls, to
provide them with brand new
kits.
Lauren Kobilnyk, Marketing
Manager for Stagecoach East
Scotland, said: “We are keen to
support the local community
and saw this sponsorship as an
opportunity to contribute to the
development of young people
in the area.
“We’d like to wish the team
all the best for the remaining
season and hope they are happy
with the new kits.”
Grateful Beath Bulls coaches
Allan Neill and Michael Rankin
added: “With the support from
Stagecoach in Fife, the Bulls will
continue to grow in strength
and we sincerely thank them for
their support and the wonderful
opportunity this has provided.”
The Beath Bulls show off their new
Stagecoach-sponsored strips.
to travel by bus, coach, train and
tram.
The Group’s wide-ranging strategy
includes investment in renewable
fuels and cleaner engines, state-ofthe-art
energy efficient facilities,
water and waste recycling initiatives
and offering businesses green travel
incentives for their employees.
PASSENGERS buying through rail
tickets with East Midlands Trains
and Eurostar are helping to swell
the number of people travelling to
Europe via rail to an all-time high.
Eurostar has reported an increase in
passenger numbers as the opening of
St Pancras International station and
the debut of a £5.8 billion high-speed
link through south England lured
more passengers from the region to
travel to the continent by rail.
Eurostar said 2.17 million customers
travelled between London, Paris and
Youth Club
donation is
just the ticket
SOUTH West Trains has put
Hampshire youngsters on the
right track.
A donation from the rail
operator has helped to set up a
new youth club in Portchester.
The contribution was
instigated by Dave Cannons,
who works for South West Trains
at London Waterloo station.
Dave secured the £2,000
donation to fund laptops with
educational software.
Sarah Moss, Centre Manager
for the Westlands Youth Group,
said: “Funding for organisations
such as ourselves is vital and we
would like to express our thanks
to South West Trains for its
donation.
“Membership has now reached
over 50 with weekly sessions
where young people enjoy
not only the wireless-enabled
laptops but play pool, table
tennis, table football, arts, crafts
and games.”
Mark Dunn, South West
Trains’ Area Manager, added:
“It’s vital that we give young
adults something constructive
to do in their spare time and
the Westlands Youth Centre
provides youngsters with a fun
and educational experience,
which cuts down the dangerous
pastime of using the railway as a
playground.”
Continental shift to rail
as Brits flock overseas
Brussels in the first three months of
the year, an increase of more than
21.3% on the same period in 2007.
Simon Montague, Eurostar’s
Director of Communication, said
the service was benefiting from
shorter journey times thanks to the
high-speed link.
“We have seen the number of
travellers from the East Midlands and
Yorkshire more than double in the
first three months since we started
running 186mph services on High
Speed 1,” he added.
Kit is scrumthing special
Summer 08 3