29/07/2010

Stagecoach Group confirmed today (29 July 2010) that it is making changes to the management structure at its UK light rail division.

Andy Morris, Managing Director, Stagecoach Light Rail, will be leaving the business after eight years. During that time, he has overseen significant growth in patronage on the Sheffield Supertram system and has delivered for Stagecoach the 10-year operations and maintenance contract for the Manchester Metrolink network.

Tim Shoveller, Managing Director of East Midlands Trains, will directly oversee management of the Group’s light rail operations in Manchester and Sheffield in addition to his current role.

Stagecoach is the biggest tram operator in Britain and the management changes will build on the close operational links already in place between East Midlands Trains, Metrolink and Supertram.

Under the new structure, the senior management teams at Stagecoach Metrolink and Stagecoach Supertram will report directly to Tim Shoveller.

Tim Shoveller said: “The light rail systems in Manchester and Sheffield are key to the communities and the economy in those regions and we are committed to delivering a high-quality service that meets the needs of local people, day in day out.

“In the months ahead, I will look to build on the work to date by Andy and his team. I will be working in close partnership with local stakeholders to develop a proactive plan to improve further our service to our customers.

“East Midlands Trains already has very close operational links with the management teams in Manchester and Sheffield where we work together to deliver integrated travel opportunities and we will continue to focus on maximising these benefits.”

Martin Griffiths, Stagecoach Group Finance Director, said: “The changes we are making at our light rail operations will ensure our good quality teams on the ground are best placed to meet the needs of our customers.

“We look forward to building on the strong relationships with our partners at Greater Manchester and South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executives. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Andy for his contribution to the Group over the past eight years and I wish him well for the future.”

Andy Morris said: "I have enjoyed immensely my time with Stagecoach. I’m very proud to have been part of the successful growth of our light rail operations as Stagecoach has become the biggest and one of the best tram operators in the UK. I have worked with a group of fantastic people in Manchester and Sheffield and they have been central to what we have achieved. I wish them and Tim Shoveller every success in the future."

ENDS

Media enquiries: call Stagecoach Group Communications on 01738 442111 or email media@stagecoachgroup.com

NOTES TO EDITORS

• Stagecoach Group is a leading international public transport company with bus and rail operations in the UK and North America. The Group employs around 30,000 people and runs around 12,000 buses and trains.
• We are Britain’s biggest tram operator, with contracts to operate major systems in both Sheffield and Manchester. Stagecoach Supertram, which has been in operation for more than a decade, was Britain’s first state-of-the-art tramway. It incorporates three tram routes in the city of Sheffield and has an annual patronage of15 million. Stagecoach Metrolink is responsible for the management and operation of the 37 km tram network in Manchester under a 10-year contract awarded in 2007. Metrolink carries approximately 20 million passengers a year.
• Stagecoach operates the South Western rail franchise, which includes the South West Trains and Island Line networks. South West Trains, the UK's biggest commuter rail network, runs nearly 1700 trains a day in the south-west of England out of London Waterloo. Island Line, on the Isle of Wight, has been designated a Community Rail Partnership.
• In addition, Stagecoach runs the East Midlands rail franchise. East Midlands Trains operates high-speed long distance services from London St. Pancras to Sheffield, Derby and Nottingham, Liverpool - Norwich and regional services throughout Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Lincolnshire.
• Stagecoach also has a 49% shareholding in Virgin Rail Group, which operates the West Coast inter-city rail franchise.
• 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.