Bus company staff take to bikes

Stagecoach Group employees have benefited from £1 million worth of new bikes in less than a year following the introduction of a company Cycle to Work scheme. 

Almost 1500 of the company’s bus drivers and support staff, as well as employees at Stagecoach’s Group headquarters in Perth, have taken advantage of the salary-sacrifice scheme. The Government’s Cycle to Work initiative can save up to 40 percent off the cost of a bike and accessories, with employees paying for their bikes via monthly contributions from their salary.

Employees from each of Stagecoach’s regional bus companies, as well as staff at its London operation, have taken up the offer since January this year. Stagecoach’s scheme is operated by Cycle Solutions, the Cycle to Work division of Wheelies Direct of Swansea.

Along with introducing the Cycle to Work scheme, Stagecoach has also invested in improved cycle facilities for staff, including better bike racks as well as lockers and shower facilities at bus depots.

Stagecoach UK Bus managing director Les Warneford said:

“This is proving to be a very successful scheme and I’m delighted that so many of our employees have take advantage of the offer.

“Sustainability is at the heart of our business and this scheme is a great opportunity for our staff to use a greener, and healthier, form of transport to and from work as well as in their spare time.”

In 2010, Stagecoach launched Revolution in the Way We Travel, a five-year plan to reduce further the carbon emissions from its transport operations in the UK and North America.