05/01/2007

Stagecoach today (5 January 2007) confirmed that it is carrying out “precautionary checks” on all of the 50 Neoplan Skyliner vehicles in its fleet following a fatal accident involving a double-decker coach operated by National Express.

A fleet of 25 of the vehicles runs on Stagecoach’s Oxford Tube service to London and on the company’s inter-city coach service megabus.com.

A Stagecoach Group spokesman said: “We have successfully operated these vehicles, which are used widely throughout Europe, for more than two years and have never had an incident of the type involving the National Express coach.

“All of our vehicles are subject to a rigorous 14-day in-house maintenance regime, which is more stringent than the legal regulations, and we take the safety of our people and our passengers very seriously.

“We have no information which suggests there is a defect with the vehicle. However, as an added safety measure and to reassure our customers, all of our Neoplan Skyliner vehicles are subject to additional detailed inspections.”

ENDS

For further information, please contact:
Steve Stewart, Head of Media and Public Affairs, Stagecoach Group
Tel: 01738 442111 or mobile 07764 774680