Stagecoach Merseyside and South Lancashire has made a key addition to its senior team, with the appointment of a new commercial director.

David Shurden, who has over 30 years’ experience in the public transport industry, joins the firm from First Bus.

Reporting directly to Stagecoach Merseyside and South Lancashire managing director Elisabeth Tasker, David’s new role will see him take on overall responsibility for the company’s network and performance. He will also oversee vehicle crew scheduling, fares and tickets, digital strategy, local authority and contract tendering, and customer service functions.

David’s career started with Finglands in Manchester as a PCV driver. He worked his way up in the business to Managing Director, a position he held for eight years until the company was sold to First Bus in 2014. He was then appointed as a Business Manager for First’s Rusholme depot and latterly assisted with the sale of First’s Plymouth operation to Stagecoach Devon and held the role for Interim General Manager for First Wessex.

Elisabeth Tasker, Managing Director of Stagecoach Merseyside and South Lancashire, said:

“We’re very pleased to be welcoming David to the team. He’s got a fantastic range of experience at all levels in the industry and his public transport pedigree is hard to match. I’m confident that his varied skill set, knowledge and experience will be a great asset to the business and will help us move forward.”

David Shurden said:

“I’m delighted to be joining Stagecoach Merseyside & South Lancashire. It’s a progressive, market-leading business with a fantastic, dedicated team behind it and I’m excited about the future. I’m confident that my varied and extensive all round experience will be a good fit for the business and will enable me to assist the company to achieve its ambitions for future growth and success.”

Stagecoach Merseyside and South Lancashire is a market-leading  company with over 1200 staff and over 400 vehicles serving more than 42 million customers a year. The company is one of the UK’s most sustainable bus operators and has reduced carbon emissions by 30 per cent in the last five years. All Stagecoach vehicles are fitted with eco-driving systems which lower emissions and the company has shown the biggest commitment to using 100 per cent biofuel of any UK bus operator.