The PLC, based in Perth, Scotland is one of the leading international transportation groups, operating bus, train, tram, express coach and ferry operations across the UK. It also has operations in the USA, Canada, and is the largest operator for scheduled bus services in New Zealand. With 12,500 vehicles and 30,000 staff, Stagecoach is obviously a force to be reckoned with.

The fleet of new vehicles will be delivered between June 2005 and the end of February 2006 and will be introduced in Stagecoach's provincial bus operations. The orders have been placed with vehicle manufacturers Alexander Dennis, MAN and Optare for 50 single-deckers, 120 double-deckers and 170 midi-buses.

The vehicles Stagecoach are buying are, 120 Alexander Dennis Trident ALX400 double-deckers, 50 MAN 18.220 single deck chassis/ Alexander Dennis ALX300 bodies, 120 Alexander Dennis Dart Pointer midibuses and 50 Optare Solo midibuses.

Les Warneford, Managing Director of Stagecoach UK Bus, said, "This significant investment is evidence of our confidence in the future of bus travel in the UK and complements our strategy for organic growth. This latest capital investment will deliver a more comfortable travelling experience for passengers, better environmental performance, improved reliability and help make public transport more attractive to car users."

All new vehicles are fitted with the latest environmentally friendly Euro III low emission engines and will run on low sulphur diesel. They are equipped with modern heating and ventilation, low floor access for parents with young children, people with disabilities and elderly passengers, and many feature a special 'kneeling' mechanism to assist boarding from the pavement.