Stagecoach Bus Drivers Lead the Way In Safe and Fuel-Efficient Driving Scheme

Stagecoach’s bus drivers are leading the way in a prestigious global performance measurement programme for the fourth consecutive year.

A total of 4,698 Stagecoach drivers across the UK – including 243 from Stagecoach East Scotland - have been awarded Fleet Elite status and a special badge, under a comprehensive driving safety measurement programme managed by GreenRoad, whose safety & telematics system serves professional drivers in the UK, Ireland, Europe, the Middle East, America, Australia and New Zealand.

Over 2,580 of Stagecoach’s UK-wide Fleet Elite awardees have achieved the Gold badge for consistently maintaining their Fleet Elite safe and fuel-efficient driving for three consecutive years.

Nearly 2,000 have achieved the Master Fleet Elite status for maintaining the rating for four or more consecutive years. This is an increase of 35% compared with last year, reflecting the success of Stagecoach’s uncompromising approach to safety and ongoing investment in driver training.

GreenRoad’s safety system has been installed on all Stagecoach vehicles and has proven to be extremely effective in helping drivers improve their skills. Using a simple traffic-light-like LED system on the dashboard, GreenRoad gives drivers instant feedback about their driving manoeuvres, encouraging smoother, safer, and more fuel-efficient driving.

Stagecoach drivers represent almost half of the 9,892 drivers globally who met the Fleet Elite standard in 2017. More Stagecoach employees gained Fleet Elite status than any other bus operator – or any other company – in the worldwide scheme.

To gain Fleet Elite status, drivers must achieve an average of five or fewer events, such as harsh braking or acceleration, per 10 hours of driving over the entire calendar year.

GreenRoad’s research shows that driving decisions are responsible for up to 33% of fuel spend, and that even experienced drivers can improve their fuel efficiency with the right guidance. To date, the use of GreenRoad’s system, together with the success of Stagecoach’s comprehensive driver training programme, has helped Stagecoach achieve a 3% improvement in its fuel efficiency across its operations.

Paul Thomas, Stagecoach East Scotland Managing Director, said: “Our drivers continue to deliver impressive results under the Fleet Elite scheme. This year’s achievements mark a 9% increase in our East Scotland drivers reaching Fleet Elite status and once again reflects the thorough training our drivers receive and the professional driving behaviours our people display every single day while out on the road.

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

The 243 drivers achieving Fleet Elite status across within the Stagecoach operations across Fife, Perthshire, Dundee and Angus represent almost a quarter of the driving staff currently employed by the company.

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 2017, approximately £1.1 million in bonus payments were made to Stagecoach drivers.

David Ripstein, GreenRoad, CEO, said: “We congratulate Stagecoach on its impressive safety record and are proud of the part that our system has played in helping them achieve such a high standard. Stagecoach, together with a growing number of Fleet, Safety and Risk Managers around the world, increasingly recognise the power of immediate driving feedback.

“The Fleet Elite incentive programme makes a huge positive impact on driver safety, performance and overall organisational culture, and we are pleased to endorse it. The professional and peer recognition, together with monetary rewards, that drivers gain when they achieve Fleet Elite status year after year, has proven to be an effective incentive that leads to smoother driving, lower fuel consumption and fewer accidents. We are all the beneficiaries.”

Further information about Stagecoach East Scotland can be found at www.stagecoachbus.com