How we're navigating the challenges ahead

Stagecoach South West Managing Director Peter Knight is building for the future following a challenging initial spell in the driving seat.

Here he reflects on his first few months in the driving seat:

As I stepped into the role of MD at Stagecoach South West in November 2022, little did I know that the year ahead would be a transformative journey.

Joining the company during a period of immense change, I relished the challenge and set my sights on shaping the future of our services to provide a seamless experience for our passengers.

With my office situated in the busy Marsh Barton depot in Exeter, I am greeted daily by the hum of engines and the camaraderie of our dedicated drivers. Having spent 13 years with the company, I have a unique perspective on the challenges and triumphs of operating one of the most vital services in the region.

Customer and colleague voices are really important. Buses, for me, are not just vehicles; they are local entities, and proximity to customers is paramount.

I reserve my highest praise for the Stagecoach South West drivers, they are some of the best I have worked with in my 13 years. Their friendliness, authenticity, and deep community roots make them more than just drivers—they are an integral part of the towns and cities they serve.

Despite facing a patronage loss of up to 95 percent overnight in March 2020, our 839 drivers continued to keep towns and villages connected, covering an impressive 1.2 million miles each month. In the post-COVID environment, public transport faced challenges globally, with hybrid working and shifts in consumer habits altering travel patterns.

Navigating the challenges of the South West, with its breathtaking beauty and logistical hurdles posed by rurality, is our daily mission. It's all about running buses reliably; that's what people want. Punctuality is important in a world where traffic, especially in congested cities like Exeter, is ever-changing.

We know there are imperfections in our service but we remain committed to continuous improvement. Some of these improvements include working harder in partnership with Devon County Council and other authorities to ensure that temporary works and city developments consider the impact on bus services and our passengers.

The year 2022 brought significant changes, with hard resets in April and September to adapt to evolving demands while maintaining seamless operations. Passenger numbers across Devon's bus network had seen a 10 percent decrease, and Exeter's key corridors remained highly congested. However, a crucial development was the formation of The DevonBus Enhanced Partnership in November 2022, securing £14.1 million BSIP funding for capital and revenue projects over three years.

As part of a national government initiative, the Department for Transport launched a fare cap on all single bus fares at a maximum of £2 in January 2023, contributing to patronage growth. To further simplify fares, Stagecoach expanded flexible ticketing across the network, offering options like Flexi-10, providing unlimited travel from just £3.50 per day in the Exeter zone.

Looking ahead in 2024, Stagecoach aims to keep communities connected while navigating challenges, contributing to the move to net zero. Our sustainability strategy outlines plans to decarbonise by approximately 70 percent by 2035 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. Collaborating with Local Transport Authorities, we are developing bids to contribute to the decarbonisation of the South West.

As we adapt and innovate, the future promises a public transport system that is not just essential but a catalyst for positive transformation. Fundamentally as a people business, Stagecoach South West continues to navigate an ever-changing landscape, serving as a driving force for community connection, sustainability, and positive change. Together, we look forward to a future where public transport is not just a means of travel but a cornerstone of positive societal transformation.

This article first appeared in Exeter Tomorrow magazine.