Stagecoach Merseyside and South Lancashire is set to upgrade and expand its fleet as part of a multi-million pound investment.

The company is investing £9.7 million into its fleet, which will include provision for 55 new vehicles – complete with CCTV and free Wi-Fi.

Elisabeth Tasker, managing director of Stagecoach Merseyside and South Lancashire, said:

“We’re committed to making sure that our customers have an unbeatable experience when travelling with us, and a key part of that commitment involves keeping our fleet well-maintained and equipped.

“Stagecoach is one of the UK’s most sustainable bus operators and has reduced carbon emissions by 30 per cent in the last five years, so investing in new vehicles which harness advances in technology and engineering to cut emissions and ensure we remain a cleaner, greener mode of transport is a key priority. We’re also enhancing our offering with additions like free Wi-Fi on our buses, which are designed to add value to passengers.

“The introduction of our fantastic Stagecoach Gold buses to the region is a key element of this significant investment and we’re delighted to be offering this new standard of sustainable, comfortable, high-spec vehicles to our customers.”

The new batch of buses will include the first Stagecoach Gold vehicles in the region. These luxury buses feature hand stitched Italian-designed leather seats; friendly, uniformed drivers; Euro 5 standard engines, designed to help cut exhaust gas emissions; free Wi-Fi; and new interior design which includes noise-reducing moquette fabric.

18 new Stagecoach Gold buses will operate on the 1 and 2 Service between Liverpool and Chester, while 24 Gold buses will be placed on the 125 Service between Bolton Preston and Chorley.  The company will also be adding 13 new buses to its 19 Service from Liverpool to Gilmoss. The new buses will be operational from next year.

The firm’s fleet investment is part of a national investment of £80m across Stagecoach in the UK.

Stagecoach Bus is one of the UK’s major employers, supporting around 24,000 jobs across the UK and 1,209 jobs in Merseyside and South Lancashire. Over 200 people have completed apprenticeships with Stagecoach since 2004 and the company currently employs around 150 apprentices.  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.