On Stage Issue 71 - Stagecoach Group

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STRONG PERFORMANCE AS TRAVELLERS DITCH CARS FOR BUSES AND TRAINS ECO-UNEASE FUELS SUPERB RESULTS STAGECOACH Group has posted a strong set of financial results as high fuel prices, rising congestion and concerns over climate change drive more people to switch from the car to bus and train. Revenue from the Group’s continuing operations shot up by more than 17% for the 12 months ending April 30, 2008, while profit before taxation jumped from £162m to £174.4m. Stagecoach recorded its sixth successive year of organic growth at its UK Bus division, with an extra 21m passengers getting on board – a rise of 3.6%. Strong partnerships with local authorities, coupled with innovative services and the success of its telemarketing campaigns, have also contributed to the huge return to public transport. The Group’s rail division, which now includes the South Western and East Midlands rail franchises as well as tram operations in Sheffield and Manchester, had a very strong year. Revenue from UK Rail was up 36.1%, while Virgin Rail Group (VRG), in which Stagecoach has a 49% shareholding, also performed strongly. Stagecoach’s share of VRG’s profit was up from £18.9m in NEARLY four centuries of service were celebrated at a event in South Wales recently. Pictured at the Stagecoach in South Wales long service awards dinner on June 7 are (back row, from left): Richard Davies (Commercial Director); Melvyn Hockey (Brynmawr Driver) – 25 years’ service; Phillip Pitman, (Porth Driver) – 20 years; Merlin Jones (Brynmawr Engineering) – 30 years; Derek Chick (Porth Driver, retired) – 45 years; Albert Williams (Caerphilly Leading Driver) – 20 years; Andrew Rapado 4 Summer 08 2007 to £32.2m in 2008 as passenger volumes on the West Coast franchise continue to grow. Both operating profit and margins were up in the Group’s North American business where growth has continued in sightseeing, charter, contract, commuter and scheduled services. Increased profits across the Group are being ploughed back into better services for passengers, including a record £71m order for new buses in 2008-09 and investment of around £180m in improving rail Centuries of service celebrated (Revenue Protection Inspector) – 20 years; John Gould (Managing Director); David Howe (Engineering Director) – 20 years; Alan Seymour (Cwmbran Engineering, retired) – 22 years. Front row, from left: Ivor Williams (Cwmbran Driver) – 20 years; Peter Owen (Merthyr Driver) – 34 years; Barrie Ware (Caerphilly Inspector) – 20 years; Terry Watkins (Cwmbran Driver and union rep, retired) 44 years; Wayne Evans (Cwmbran Driver) – 35 years; Lincoln Alford (Cwmbran Engineering) – 39 years. services over the lifetime of the South Western and East Midlands franchises. Stagecoach Chief Executive Brian Souter said: “We believe there are growing signs of a fundamental positive shift in customer attitudes towards public transport, driven by increasing road congestion, rising fuel costs and concern about climate change. “We are leading the sector in offering customers greener, smarter travel to reduce their carbon footprint. Door to door SOUTH West Trains and Island Line Trains, both Stagecoach Group rail companies, are to offer an innovative door-to-door luggage delivery service. They have teamed up with Carry My Luggage, an independent company that can collect and distribute baggage to and from any UK address. It can also deliver and collect luggage for some cruise operators at Southampton Docks. Carry My Luggage removes the hassle normally associated with travelling with luggage by collecting items prior to travel and delivering them safely to their destination. With its state-of-the-art tracking systems, Carry My Luggage monitors every item from collection through to delivery, ensuring security and peace of mind. Visit www.carrymyluggage.com for more details. 2008 RESULTS FACTFILE £1,763.6m Strong passenger volume and revenue growth at South Western and East Midlands Trains Performance objectives in North America achieved ahead of schedule Expansion of budget inter-city coach service megabus.com in North America Continued strong revenue growth on Virgin West Coast franchise “We have strengthened our position as a leading UK rail operator, generating strong revenue growth, winning new contracts and offering consistently high quality of service to our customers “In North America, we are encouraged by the continuing strong performance of our business and we have achieved our objective of an improved operating margin ahead of schedule.” In May/June last year, the Group completed a significant return of value to shareholders. Adjusted STAGECOACH North West will have no fewer than three entrants in this year’s Bus Driver of the Year competition. West Cumbria driver Brian Kirkwood, Morecambe driver Martin Shaplin and Carlisle driver John Murray have all qualified in local heats. And the trio will be hoping to topple Arriva’s defending champion Paul Cleaver at the awards ceremony in Blackpool on September 7. The national competition, now in its 42nd year, is designed to test earnings per share for the year are up more than 70% and the proposed full-year dividend has increased by over 30%. Stagecoach Group Chairman Robert Speirs said the new financial year to April 30, 2009, had started well and “trading across the Group is in line with our expectations.” Robert added: “I would again like to thank our hard-working employees across our operations who ensure we meet the high expectations of our customers every day.” Three-way tussle to land top spot Chris Bowles (left) congratulates Martin Shaplin, Brian Kirkwood and John Murray. the driving skills and knowledge of entrants and at the same time help to raise standards in the bus and coach industry. Entrants are tested on their ability to handle full-sized buses in difficult situations and are given a thorough grilling on their knowledge of road safety law and the Highway Code. Stagecoach North West Managing Director Chris Bowles said: “All three have worked really hard to qualify for the competition and we wish each of them well in September.”
In the pink: Mark Threapleton, Managing Director of Stagecoach Manchester, is joined by Genesis Corporate Fundraising Co-ordinator Tamzin Morris (left) and Wendy Henshall, Genesis Campaign Manager, to add a splash of colour to a bus. STAGECOACH Group is ahead of the game when it comes to protecting the environment. More than a year ahead of schedule, the company announced it is to invest in greener bus technology to meet new European emissions. The Group confirmed the first part of a £71m investment in a fleet of 584 new vehicles for the UK during 2008-09 – the biggest ever order placed by the company. Stagecoach has initially ordered nearly 500 vehicles with a total value of more than £60 million from manufacturers Alexander Dennis (ADL), Optare, MAN, Plaxton, Scania and Volvo. The remainder of the £71 million orders will be confirmed later this year. The initial order includes an investment of over £30 million in more than 220 new buses and coaches that meet tough new Euro 5 emissions standards, which are not due to come into force until September 1, 2009. These vehicles will use selective catalytic reduction (SCR) technology to reduce nitrogen oxides in the exhaust gas. The engine is optimised for low emissions of diesel particulates and low fuel consumption and, by adding a reducing agent, the nitrogen oxides produced during combustion are converted into harmless nitrogen and water vapour within a catalytic converter. Les Warneford, Managing Director of Stagecoach UK Bus, said: “We believe there is huge potential to encourage more people to reduce car use, get back on board the bus and help address the challenge of climate change. “By re-investing our profits in greener bus technology, we will make our own operations more sustainable and help reduce the carbon footprint of our customers.” Rupert Cox, Commercial Director for Stagecoach Yorkshire, joins Mayor of Dronfield Cllr Izzy Pryce and Geoff Pickford, Integrated Transport Manager for Derbyshire County Council, to launch Dronfield’s new fleet of buses. Charity support is wheely special STAGECOACH Manchester helped the drive to beat breast cancer by joining the Pink Pinkie Week Campaign. To show support for the Genesis Appeal, which runs Pink Pinkie Week, the company donated £500 and painted the front left wheel nut guard pink on 50 of its buses. Staff also lent a hand by rattling their pink collection boxes and swapping their uniforms for pink outfits. A VIP guest did the honours as a new fleet of hi-tech buses hit the road in Dronfield, Derbyshire. The Mayor of Dronfield, Cllr Izzy Pryce, helped to launch the new buses, featuring a special Peel Monument livery. The MAN/E300 buses meet tough European emissions standards, marking a real move forward for public transport in the area. They are designed to be fully accessible to elderly passengers, people with disabilities and families with young children. The Genesis Appeal, based at Wythenshawe Hospital, is the UK’s only breast cancer charity entirely dedicated to the prevention of the disease and aims to create a future without breast cancer. Lester Barr, Chairman of The Genesis Appeal, said: “Genesis is delighted with the support that Stagecoach Manchester gave.” Breast cancer is the most common cancer in British women, with one in ten likely to develop the condition. GREENER BUSES LEAD THE WAY Honoured passenger welcomed on board EAST Midlands Trains recently played host to a very special passenger. His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet travelled on the company’s 14.55 from St. Pancras International to Nottingham. The spiritual leader was going to the city to give five days of teachings. The Dalai Lama is shown being welcomed by Tim Shoveller, Managing Director of East Midlands Trains. The Pryce is right for fresh investment Stagecoach Yorkshire’s newest fleet cost over £500,000, and Cllr Pryce believed Stagecoach’s investment in the service, connecting Dronfield with Chesterfield and Sheffield, will lead to further passenger growth across the town. Rupert Cox, Commercial Director for Stagecoach Yorkshire, added: “This service has seen significant growth since 2003 and, with this investment, we hope to make Stagecoach buses even more accessible for passengers in Dronfield.” Ian meets chartered challenge IAN Day, the Operations Manager based at Stagecoach’s Ashford depot, has been elected as a Chartered Member of the Institute of Logistics and Transport (CMILT). Ian, from Margate, was with Thanet Council’s Community Transport service for 10 years before his appointment as Operations Manager with Stagecoach in 2006. He gained his certificate after proving the necessary experience within the transport industry and the competence and professionalism required within his present role. Ian, whose team of 67 drivers and administration personnel operate a fleet of 30, said he was delighted with the accolade. “The acceptance into the Institute offers a range of services and access to a vast library of information and research that will enhance the way we can approach the day-to-day challenges of running a bus network,” he added. Egg-citement over British breakfast FIRST-CLASS passengers on East Midlands Trains can still start their day in the traditional way. As the rail operator’s London service prepared to launch a new First Class menu, speculation was rife that the full cooked British breakfast was to be dropped. But the classic dish is still on the bill of fare, as Customer Service Director Jake Kelly explained. “Feedback from passengers told us that, although many wanted to see lighter breakfast options, a significant number still loved our cooked British breakfast,” said Jake. “The breakfast is cooked fresh on board by a chef and we will also be retaining the buffet cars on our high-speed train fleet. “I believe this shows we are a train company who are not only committed to providing a fantastic service, but also listen to what customers want and then deliver it.” Summer 08 5
Page 1 and 2: WHAT A RESULT! The newspaper of Sta
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Page 9 and 10: NT AND ENCOURAGE GREENER, SMARTER T
Page 11 and 12: Geraldine Smith MP launches Morecam
Page 13 and 14: Brilliant birthday bash for Corby b
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On Stage Issue 71 - Stagecoach Group

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