Stagecoach backs drive to make Perth the most sustainable small city in Europe

Stagecoach, Britain’s biggest bus, coach and tram operator, is backing a vision to make Perth the most sustainable small city in Europe.

The company, which is marking its 40^th anniversary, is a headline sponsor of an international online conference in Perth next week which will showcase examples of sustainable transport, city design and innovation from across Europe.

Stagecoach was founded in Perth in 1980 by Sir Brian Souter and his sister, Dame Ann Gloag, pioneering greener travel in the UK and around the world, and the company retains its headquarters in the city.

The 6 November conference - “What will it take to make Perth the most sustainable small city in Europe?” - has been organised by the Perth City Leadership Forum. It is designed to inspire a new vision for Perth, encouraging city leaders to develop a roadmap to become Europe’s most sustainable small city.

The online conference will showcase cutting-edge case studies from across Europe, including Copenhagen, Malmo, Ghent, and Ii in Finland. Experts will focus on the development of traffic-free city centres, carbon neutral living, and energy security from city waste, as well as walking and cycling and the concept of 15-minute neighbourhoods.

Stagecoach is one of a small group of UK publicly listed companies to have received the London Stock Exchange (LSE) Green Economy Mark reserved for organisations that generate over 50% of their total annual revenues from products and services that contribute to the global green economy.

Over the past decade, Stagecoach has invested more than £1billion in 7,000 new greener vehicles - more than any other operator in the UK - including electric, hybrid electric and hydrogen and biofuel technologies.  Stagecoach has cut carbon emissions from its own businesses by 14% over the past five years as it continues efforts to tackle climate change and boost air quality.

Martin Griffiths, Stagecoach Chief Executive, said: “We were founded in Perth 40 years ago and we are proud of our continuing strong links with the city and wider region. Perth has all the qualities needed to become Europe’s most sustainable small city and in Stagecoach and renewable energy company SSE has two major businesses with huge expertise to help make this happen.

“The transport choices we all make are fundamental to delivering a greener, healthier and more prosperous future for Perth and other cities across the country as we look to build back better from the current Covid-19 pandemic. We are delighted to support this major international conference and we look forward to playing a big part in the conversation on how we achieve the city’s vision.”

Independent research by the Centre for Economics and Business Research* (Cebr) published earlier this year shows that Stagecoach delivers cleaner communities and annually saves £12.4million in emissions impact costs, which could power 9,800 homes for a year.

Without Stagecoach bus services, there would be an annual increase of 190,000 tonnes of CO2 through passengers using alternative transport, mainly cars. Some £343 million in potential congestion-related savings are also delivered by Stagecoach through a reduction of 1.22 billion miles of traffic.

Earlier this week, Stagecoach East Scotland was named Scotland’s Public Transport Operator of the Year for the second year running for its high quality services across Perthshire, Fife, Dundee, and Angus.

Delegates can register for free for the sustainability conference through Perth City Leadership Forum’s website at: https://mostsustainablecity.com/

ENDS

For further information, please email media@stagecoachgroup.com

Image shows the special Stagecoach liveried 40th anniversary bus in Perth.