Britain's longest coach hits the road

Megabus operator Stagecoach extended its fleet today by taking delivery of Britain’s longest coach – the first of a 45-vehicle investment.

The 15-metre vehicle, which is three metres longer than a traditional coach, has been produced by Volvo and Plaxton as part of an £11m (€16.5m) order.

All of the new 65-seat vehicles should be on the road by the end of May. They will be used for budget travel service megabus.com and inter-city coach operator Scottish Citylink.

Brian Souter, chief executive of Perth-based Stagecoach, said the move represented a “step-change” in the quality of coach service for inter-city customers.

He added: “We believe it will help attract more people from cars and low-cost airlines and on to coaches.”

Passengers in Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness and Perth will be among the first to travel on the new coaches later this month. The new vehicles will also be used on routes linking London, Manchester, Newcastle, Preston, Sheffield, Cwmbran, Cardiff, Plymouth, Exeter and Bristol.