Member Article

Stagecoach expands Wigan operations

Transport group Stagecoach has announced a £12m acquisition of a Wigan-based bus business and assets from First Manchester.

Stagecoach will add around 300 people to its 18,000 strong workforce, and commercial bus services will be taken on by the firm alongside some school contracts.

The acquired business reported revenues of £13.2m in the year up to March 2012, and profits before tax and exceptional items of £2.2m.

Bus operations will be expanded in the Greater Manchester region by Stagecoach, who owns budget coach service Megabus, the inner city service City Sightseeing, and the commuter service Oxford Tube.

A Wigan depot on Locket Road has been acquired alongside 120 vehicles, after a deal was struck on Wednesday.

Stagecoach currently employs 1,850 staff in Greater Manchester, and runs approximately 630 buses.

The Managing Director of Stagecoach UK Bus, Les Warneford, said: “We have a strong track-record of attracting more people to bus travel and these new operations will expand our successful high-quality operations in other parts of Greater Manchester.

“We will continue to focus on providing customers with the best value fares of any major bus operator in the UK, investing in our networks and delivering punctual and reliable services.

“Our people are central to our growth plans and we look forward to welcoming our new employees to the company.”

After £300m of investment into the firm over the past four years, the acquisition of Wigan operations will become part of Stagecoach Manchester after the transaction is completed in December this year.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Miranda Dobson .