Multi-million pound bus order just the ticket for ADL

ADL's Enviro400 MMC double deck buses, which will make up the bullk of the Stagecoach order

The Camelon-based firm is to build 436 vehicles for the transport group out of a total order of 480 in deals worth £97 million.

Stagecoach is buying vehicles for its networks in Scotland, England and Wales worth £82m with a further £10m for London buses. Around £4.5m will also be spent on Megabus coaches.

ADL say the contract award will help sustain employment in an increasingly competitive industry which will be designed and manufactured in the company’s UK production facilities in Falkirk, Guildford and Scarborough where over 2000 workers are employed.

ADL chief executive Colin Robertson said: “We are delighted to have been granted this substantial contract for 318 double deck, 84 single deck and 13 midi buses plus 21 Plaxton coaches to be delivered to Stagecoach regional, London and megabus.com operations across the UK.

“We treat this as a resounding vote of confidence in our products and service support, in particular our new single and double deck variants, which we have launched in the UK in the last 18 months, following significant investment in product development.

“However, we are not complacent and while we have a long standing relationship with Stagecoach, we know this would not exist if we did not design, manufacture and deliver reliable, commercially attractive vehicles which increase uptime, enhance the passenger experience and utilise state-of-the-art technology to improve environmental efficiency.”

All of the new vehicles will be fitted with CCTV, will meet Euro 6 emissions standards and most will have wi-fi installed, giving customers free internet access during journeys.

ADL specialises in the manufacture of lightweight, fuel-efficient city buses and coaches. Much of the other vehicles are to be built by Volvo and Mercedes.

Stagecoach Group chief executive Martin Griffiths said: “Everything we do is about making travel even better for our customers.

“We are investing in state-of-the-art, cleaner, greener vehicles, digital technology and smart ticketing to raise the bar and deliver an even higher standard of service.

“These latest vehicle orders are an important part of our strategy to encourage even more people to take the bus.

“Local bus services are the backbone of the country’s transport networks. Stagecoach provides millions of people every day with a greener way to access work, health, education and leisure and we offer the best value bus fares in Britain.”