Stagecoach reveals data promoting the benefits of switching to bus

Credit: Bus Users UK

Marking the start of Catch the Bus Month 2022 – a campaign led by Bus Users UK, running throughout September 2022 to encourage people to travel using the bus – Stagecoach has revealed new data to remind people of the many benefits of switching to bus.

Stagecoach’s latest statistics show that buses remain one of the cheapest transport options. The data shows that average car journey costs have increased 12 times more than the cost of bus travel in the last six years. By mixing their commute and switching from train to bus train for just two days a week, people could save up to £800 per year on their travel.

In addition, there are also big environmental benefits to be made by switching to bus – swapping the car for the bus for just two journeys a week can save more than 900kg of CO₂ emissions in a year, with train users saving over 1,500kg of CO₂. Buses remain one of the most sustainable forms of transport with a double-decker bus able to take up to 75 cars off the road.

Stagecoach is making major investment in new zero-emission buses, and as part of its Sustainability Strategy has committed to introducing a zero-emission UK bus fleet by 2035. It is also set to become the first operator in the UK to introduce all-electric city bus networks, with 89 electric buses being introduced to operate on city buses in Inverness and Perth.

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Furthermore, the bus operator has recently rolled out a new range of flexible bus tickets providing great value bus travel for customers. The range of Flexi tickets offer great savings and can be bought easily and quickly via the Stagecoach Bus App.

Carla Stockton-Jones, UK Managing Director of Stagecoach, said: “As we mark the start of Catch the Bus Month, we wanted to take the opportunity to remind people of the benefits of using bus, and encourage people to give the bus a try. Our recent research shows that people can make a real saving on their weekly commute, even by just switching two journeys a week from car or train to bus, and it also offers huge environmental benefits. As Britain’s biggest bus provider, we’re proud that bus services are still one of the cheapest travel options, and we’re offering some great savings with our range of Flexi tickets. We’d encourage everyone to use the opportunity during Catch the Bus month to mix up their commute.”

Claire Walters, Chief Executive of Bus Users UK, said: “Buses make a huge contribution to all our lives socially, economically and environmentally. They are also a lifeline for communities providing access to education, work, healthcare, shops and leisure. We want to see more people get on-board this September to protect these vital services for future generations.”