Sir Brian Souter looks to continued growth for Stagecoach in 2013.

PRLog (Press Release) - Jan. 10, 2013 - Sir Brian Souter, the retiring chief executive of transport operator Stagecoach, is optimistic the company can experience continued growth in a year that has been difficult for UK transport as a whole. Sir Brian, who will become the company’s chairman in May, believes that growing on the 39% rise in profit the company made in the second half of last year is just the beginning, as attitudes towards public transport changes.

He said; “Road congestion, increasing environmental awareness and higher motoring costs all point to public transport as the greener, smarter choice”.

Stagecoach’s overall profits in 2012 jumped up £123.7 million in the six months to October, thanks largely to its commercial and regional bus services. Stagecoach also finished the year by acquiring new bus operations in the North-West of England.

Sir Brian, speaking at the company’s results statement in December, also suggested that the government was nearing an agreement with Virgin Rail – who operate as a joint venture business partner with Stagecoach – to continue operating the West coast mainline franchise.

The on-going agreement with the government has been drawn out throughout 2012 but Sir Brian Souter (http://www.briansouter.com/) is also hopeful that this can be resolved. Sir Brian added: “In the coming year we will be looking to integrate these businesses and continue our successful strategy of offering the best value bus fares in Britain with continued investment in new buses”.

He also outlined how Stagecoach is looking to help young people get back into work. Stagecoach is backing a pioneering new programme, called ‘Bus for Jobs’, which allows job-seekers free travel. Sir Brian, who also founded Souter Investments, who are on the lookout for investment opportunities (http://www.souterinvestments.com/investment-opportunities...) said it was a ‘small but practical’ step to help more young Scots back into work: the programme will see 70% of Scottish bus routes free to job-seekers from next month.

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