07/11/2006

• Vehicles to feature “green” exhaust gas re-circulation technology
• First futuristic Optare Versa midi-buses included in order
• Investment follows latest Bus Operator of the Year award

Stagecoach Group plc announced today (7 November 2006) that it has placed an £9 million order for 100 new state-of-the-art buses for its regional bus operations in the UK.

The new vehicles will be supplied by Leeds-based manufacturer Optare and will be delivered from May 2007.

Fitted with hi-tech MAN exhaust gas re-circulation (EGR) four-cylinder engines, the Euro 4-compliant buses will be among the most environmentally friendly in Stagecoach’s fleet.

The announcement comes only a week after Stagecoach was named UK Bus Operator of the Year for the second year running.

Stagecoach has ordered 75 Optare Solo vehicles, which can carry 27 seated passengers.

The Perth-based transport operator has also placed the first order for 25 Optare Versa midi-buses, a new product being unveiled today at the Euro Bus Expo Show at the NEC in Birmingham.

Featuring a curved futuristic design, the 11-metre vehicle can carry up to 40 seated passengers and is based on the same technology as the Solo.

Les Warneford, Managing Director of Stagecoach UK Bus, said: “We have invested more than £150 million over the past three years as part of our drive to make our operations greener and attract more people to public transport.

“Stagecoach has consistently grown the number of people using its services for the past four years and this new fleet of high-quality, environmentally-friendly vehicles will help our drive to encourage car users to switch to the bus.”

Bob Coombes, Optare’s Group Managing Director, said: “We are delighted to have received this further substantial order from the Stagecoach Group, which demonstrates their satisfaction both with our business approach and the performance of our products. The innovative new Optare Versa will add great value to Stagecoach Group’s drive to increase further its passenger numbers.”

ENDS

For further information, please contact:
Steve Stewart, Head of Media and Public Affairs, Stagecoach Group
Tel: 01738 442111 or mobile 07764 774680

Optare media queries to:
Martin Hayes, Communications Advisor	0207 494 8050

Notes to Editors:

• Stagecoach is one of UK’s biggest bus and coach operators, connecting communities in more than 100 towns and cities. The company runs around 7,000 vehicles from Devon in south-west England to Inverness in the Highlands of Scotland, carrying around 2 million passengers every day.
• An electronic image of the new Optare Versa midi-bus is available on request.