Buscompanyreaches greenbenchmarks

Perth-based transport giant Stagecoach has reached two benchmarks for its commitment to responsible business and driving the green economy.

It is one of only two public transport groups to receive the new London Stock Exchange’s green economy mark, which is given to companies that generate over 50 per cent of its total annual revenues from products and services that contribute to the global green economy.

Stagecoach says its shared transport services provide a significantly greener alternative to a private car, as one double-decker bus is able to take more than 70 cars off the road.

Research carried out by the Centre for Economics and Business Research found Stagecoach saves £12.4 million in emissions impact costs, which could power 9800 homes a year, and without Stagecoach there would be an annual increase of 190,000 tonnes of CO2 through passengers using alternative transport, mainly cars.

The research also found £343m in potential congestion-related savings are delivered by Stagecoach from a reduction of 1.22 billion miles of traffic, and Stagecoach has cut carbon emissions from its own businesses by 14 per cent in the last five years.

Steven Stewart, Stagecoach’s director of communications, said: “Doing the right thing and growing our business in a sustainable way is central to the way we work.

“Our people and our services are making a huge positive impact on our communities and local economies, as well as helping tackle the climate emergency.

“But we want to achieve more and we are already working on plans which will make the switch to greener public transport easier, help keep our communities connected, and reduce further our impact on the planet as we work with government to deliver a netzero Britain.”

Stagecoach is now developing a new sustainability strategy for 2020 with the Carbon Trust, which will include plans for green fleet investment, buildings efficiency measures and other initiatives, as well as stretching targets to drive improved performance.

From spring this year, Stagecoach will deliver the first of 50 new electric vehicles as part of a £13m investment in what is one of the biggest orders of new e-buses in Europe.