Stagecoach update

A message from Stagecoach MD, Darren Roe

Stagecoach East is, and always has been, all about our people. Whether they’re from the communities we serve, the teams we employ or the countless, every-day passengers who rely on our buses to discover new places, connect with loved ones, commute to work and school, and live their lives to the fullest. While we continue to learn to live with the after-effects of the Covid pandemic, and adapt to the ‘new normal’ of working and living, we suddenly face a new challenge. Communities across the country are now dealing with a steep rise in the cost of living and household goods, with utility bills and fuel prices soaring to new record rates and the devastating war in Ukraine set to deliver further blows to the UK economy. As families continue to navigate the pressures of today’s society, and adapt to the cost of the living crisis, it has never been more imperative for us to support our people. Stagecoach East is dedicated to delivering sustainable, affordable and reliable bus travel and doing our utmost to support our passengers and ease the financial pressure on communities who have loyally chosen to travel with us over the decades. Back in January we launched our new fare simplification structure to provide people with a more consistent range of flexible and cost-effective travel options. The new system ensured that 92 per cent of passengers across Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, Huntingdonshire and Peterborough pay the same or less for their bus tickets. Through this initiative, we introduced several new ticket types across the East, including the ‘Youth’ ticket to offer under 19’s and students with 33 per cent off on our Single, Day, 7 Day, 28 Day and ‘Flexi’ tickets. The new range of ‘Flexi’ tickets also launched, providing passengers with bus travel from just £2.94 a day through a bundle of Day tickets, valid for 12 months. This option was especially beneficial for employees who have, since the pandemic, embraced a hybrid working pattern and require more flexibility when it comes to commuting between home and the office. Furthermore, we also reduced the price of 95 per cent of our DayRider tickets, giving day travellers more value for money. To benefit small and large groups travelling onboard our services, the new ‘Group’ ticket options makes it cheaper for people to travel together and enjoy days out at a more affordable cost. The ‘Small Group’ ticket allows one Adult and up to two Youths or a group of three Youths to travel, which equates to the same cost of an Adult DayRider plus just £2. ‘Large Group’ tickets are valid for up to any five passengers, saving up to 60 per cent on the total cost. We believe our buses can help people save money, especially in this time of record inflation and extortionate fuel prices. It now costs nearly £90 to fill up a 55-litre family petrol car, which is approximately £22 more than it did a year ago, with the cost of a tank of diesel up to around £97, a shocking 40 per cent increase from this time last year.* Running a car is becoming increasingly unsustainable, both in the sense of affordability and the negative implications for the environment. We hope that local people will see the increasing value in travelling by bus, not just for their wallets but for the wider community and the world we live in. By choosing bus travel, you are choosing to contribute towards a better future for all and enjoy a cheaper and hassle-free mode of transport. Especially now, with our new ticket options, bus travel can provide a solution to those struggling with the rising cost of living. People will always be at the root of everything we do, and we are constantly looking at ways to evolve and enhance our services. We will continue to support communities, through the challenges we all face, and to provide the best quality bus travel to our customers.

Darren Roe, Managing Director, Stagecoach East

*Information on fuel prices taken from the RAC’s website: www.rac.co.uk/drive/advice/fuel-watch/