Stagecoach has appointed Bridgestone UK as the new tyre manufacturer for its bus fleet across the UK.
The operator has agreed a five-year contract with Bridgestone UK, covering around 9,500 vehicles in total including all of Stagecoach’s UK coach and bus fleet and other company vehicles.
The agreement between Stagecoach and Bridgestone formally took effect on May 1, 2018.
Stagecoach’s fleet will largely run on Bridgestone’s UAP-001 premium product and holistic Total Tyre Care package of tyre husbandry support.
Bridgestone claims the UAP-001 provides a high level of safety all-year round thanks to improved grip and braking performance in all conditions, including winter, mud and fresh or melting snow.
It has been granted the M+S marking and Alpine symbol.
Sam Greer, Engineering Director for Stagecoach UK Bus, said: “We are very pleased to award this contract to Bridgestone and look forward to working with them over the next five years.
“We are confident that the solutions and products they offer will help us maintain our fleet to the highest standard and continue to deliver high-quality, reliable journeys for the millions of people who use our services every day.”
Bridgestone has secured the Stagecoach contract from a previous long-term supplier of more than two decades.
Greg Ward, Commercial Sales Director for Bridgestone, said: “This is a huge announcement and the beginning of an exciting new relationship with one of the UK’s most prestigious bus and coach operators. In terms of our European-based fleet contracts, this is our biggest ever.
“Stagecoach is continually working to increase the quality, reliability and frequency of its bus services and we are extremely proud to be in a position to play our part in this. It is a great responsibility and one we will not take for granted.
“We will be working with Stagecoach to ensure that every one of their millions of journeys per year is completed as smoothly as possible.”
