• 142 Stagecoach in South Wales Drivers achieve GreenRoad Fleet Elite status
• 5% increase in number of company’s drivers reaching elite standard
• More Stagecoach UK drivers meet benchmark than any bus operator or other company for fourth consecutive year
• Advanced telematics system constantly checks driving manoeuvres
• System helps achieve 3% improvement in fuel efficiency across UK bus operations

Stagecoach bus employees are leading the way in a global performance scheme which measures safe and fuel-efficient driving.

A total of 142 Stagecoach in South Wales drivers have been awarded Fleet Elite status under the programme managed by GreenRoad, whose telematics system serves professional drivers in the UK, Ireland, Europe, the Middle East, America, Australia and New Zealand.

Over 50 Fleet Elite drivers have achieved the Gold badge for consistently maintaining the Fleet Elite safe and fuel-efficient driving standard.  

Using a traffic-light LED system on the dashboard, GreenRoad gives drivers instant feedback on their driving manoeuvres, encouraging smoother, safer, and more fuel-efficient driving. Fleet Elite standard drivers must clock up more than 500 driving hours in a year and achieve an average of five or less events, such as harsh braking or acceleration, per 10 hours of driving over the calendar year.

Stagecoach UK drivers account for almost half of the 9930 drivers globally who met the Fleet Elite standard in 2016. More Stagecoach UK employees gained Fleet Elite status than any other bus operator – or other company on the scheme – in the UK and worldwide.

Around 19% of Stagecoach’s UK 19,000-strong driving team have achieved the prestigious benchmark.

The GreenRoad system is installed on all Stagecoach vehicles at the Group's bus companies. It uses a dashboard traffic lights-style system to provide instant feedback to drivers to encourage smoother and safer driving.

Research by GreenRoad shows that in extreme cases driving decisions are responsible for up to 33% of fuel spend. Even experienced, professional drivers have the potential to improve their fuel efficiency 4% with the right guidance. To date, use of GreenRoad’s system and Stagecoach’s comprehensive driver training programme has helped deliver a 3% improvement in fuel efficiency across Stagecoach operations in the UK.

All employees who meet the Fleet Elite standard receive a special badge in recognition of their achievement.

Nigel Winter, Stagecoach in South Wales Managing Director, said: “This achievement reflects the thorough training our drivers receive as well as the commitment and professionalism that our people display on a daily basis.

“Smoother, fuel-efficient driving is safer and provides more comfortable journeys for our customers as well as helping to cut our carbon footprint.”

Stagecoach has also supported its multi-million-pound investment in the GreenRoad technology with a dedicated annual driver bonus pot. Employees can earn ‘green points’ for greener driving, which is converted into a cash bonus. In 2016, around £1.1million of bonus payments were made to Stagecoach UK drivers.

Stagecoach in South Wales has invested almost £30million over the past 10 years in more than 260 new buses in Wales. These are cleaner, green vehicles many of which offer free Wi-Fi and charging points.

Further information about Stagecoach UK Bus can be found at www.stagecoachbus.com

ENDS

For media enquiries, please contact:  Stagecoach Group Communications on 01738 442111 or email: media@stagecoachgroup.com