Member Article

Stagecoach gets top marks from passengers as satisfaction ratings soar to 93 per cent

Passengers across Merseyside have given Stagecoach top scores for satisfaction, according to independent research by consumer watchdog Transport Focus.

More than 9 in 10 customers on Merseyside gave the thumbs up to the company’s services. Customers also ranked it top in the country for value for money, with 78 per cent of customers saying they were satisfied with cost of travel.

The results follow continued investment by Stagecoach in new low emissions buses, smart ticketing and live bus tracking. In the last year, Stagecoach Merseyside, Cheshire, and South Lancashire has invested over £4 million in new buses on Merseyside including new gold buses and the first of its kind X2 buses. The company has also rolled out contactless payment in 2017 – along with Apple Pay and Android Pay.

93 per cent of Stagecoach customers in Merseyside reported being satisfied with their bus service, compared to 87 per cent the previous year. This is higher than the national average for all bus operators across England (88 per cent) with it being rated highly on its drivers (92 per cent) and its available seating (88 per cent). The survey also showed that 75 per cent of Stagecoach customers in Merseyside are happy with punctuality of its buses.

Managing director for Stagecoach Merseyside, Cheshire and South Lancashire, Rob Jones, said: “These independent results are a fantastic endorsement of our Merseyside team’s commitment to delivering an outstanding experience for all our passengers. We are continuing to invest to ensure we’re operating a sustainable, well-serviced fleet – staffed by a well-trained team.

“We’re also committed to continuous innovation that allows us to tap into technological advances such as contactless smart ticketing, free wi-fi, and charge points on the bus - which make passengers’ journeys better. While our membership of the Bus Alliance means we’re working collaboratively to ensure Merseyside passengers benefit from the very best routes possible.

“We’re focused on continuing to improve and drive satisfaction and hope to see our scores get even higher next year!”

Stagecoach Bus is one of the UK’s major employers, supporting around 24,000 jobs across the UK and 1,209 jobs in Merseyside and South Lancashire. Over 200 people have completed apprenticeships with Stagecoach since 2004 and the company currently employs around 150 apprentices. All Stagecoach vehicles are fitted with eco-driving systems which lower emissions and the company has shown the biggest commitment to using 100 per cent biofuel of any UK bus operator. Stagecoach is part of Liverpool City Region’s Bus Alliance, a partnership between Liverpool’s biggest bus operators and Merseytravel. The Alliance is focussed on quality of vehicles and customer service, value for money journeys and straightforward travel from simple fare structures to easy to understand journey planning and a clear, simple bus network. Follow the company online at stagecoachbus.com or on Twitter at @StagecoachMCSL for more information and company updates.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Henry Roberts .