Stagecoach gets on board Perth’s City of Culture campaign

Transport giant Stagecoach is backing Perth’s bid to be UK City of Culture in 2021.

Britain’s biggest bus operator was formed in the Fair City by Sir Brian Souter and Ann Gloag in 1980. It has grown into an international transport group with 13,000 buses and trains carrying around four million customers a day and generating an annual turnover of more than £4 billion.

The company has continued to maintain its international headquarters in Perth.

Stagecoach will be helping back Perth’s City of Culture bid through a range of initiatives, including promoting the campaign through its bus fleet.

Sir Brian said: “This is a really exciting time for our region and we’re delighted to back Perth’s bid for UK City of Culture 2021.

“We’ve got a unique history, vibrant culture and stunning geography in and around our city. More importantly, we have fantastic people and ideas. There’s a real opportunity to use those strengths to help transform our economy and our communities.”

He added: “The example of Stagecoach over the past four decades shows that Perth can be the springboard for innovation and success. Whether it’s connecting communities through transport or bringing people together to enjoy new cultural experiences, I believe our city has a bright future.”

Councillor Ian Miller, who chairs of the Perth 2021 programme board, said he was “delighted” to get Stagecoach on board. “As a national company which has grown from a local base, Stagecoach has shown that we can compete with the best of them,” he said. “The company has always been a staunch supporter of initiatives to grow the local economy.”