Sometimes, it’s time for the bus
- Stagecoach has launched the second phase of its national adult marketing campaign, “Sometimes, it’s time for the bus,” highlighting the bus as a smart, great-value and stress-free alternative to other modes of transport.
- Tailored offers across the UK include never paying more than £3 for single fares in England, up to 30% off DayRiders in Scotland via the Stagecoach app, and Tap on, Tap off capped fares in Wales.
- The first burst of the campaign runs from September with a second burst in early 2026, coinciding with Catch the Bus Month and supported by an upcoming competition.
Stagecoach has recently launched the second phase of its national marketing campaign aimed at adults across the UK. Building on the success of its “We’ve Got You” brand campaign and a summer of leisure and concession promotions, this new initiative highlights how the bus can be the smart, affordable and stress-free alternative to other modes of transport.
Targeting people aged 22 to 65 across the UK, the campaign showcases the everyday benefits of bus travel. With video content at its heart, it brings to life the freedom of leaving the car at home providing customers with more time to relax, no parking stress, and savings on the cost of fuel and parking. Using the Stagecoach App, customers can plan, track and buy their tickets with ease, making the whole journey simpler from start to finish.
The campaign has been tailored across the UK. In England, messaging focuses on the great value of never paying more than £3 for a single journey. In Scotland, the emphasis is on savings of up to 30% on DayRiders through the app, while in Wales the focus is on the flexibility of Tap on, Tap off capped fares.
At its core, the message is simple, taking the bus gives people back valuable time for the things they enjoy. Whether that’s catching up on socials, listening to music or podcasts, reading a book, or simply taking a moment to relax, the bus is the smart choice for those infrequent journeys when you want to socialise with friends, but don’t want the hassle of driving. It’s great value and gives you more money to spend on yourself.
The campaign will run across a mix of media channels including Channel 4, in-stream gaming, Meta, digital audio, social media and PR. The first burst runs from September, with a second burst in early 2026.
The launch also coincides with Catch the Bus Month, an annual campaign led by Bus Users UK each September. Catch the Bus Month celebrates the wider social, environmental and economic benefits of bus travel, from cutting congestion and pollution to supporting community connections and offering affordable travel for all.
To mark the occasion, Stagecoach will soon be announcing a competition to celebrate the launch and encourage even more people to make the switch.