StagecoachTransport group Stagecoach has announced it is to invest over £75 million in hundreds of new buses and coaches.

The Perth-based company said 430 vehicles will be ordered in 2013/14 to serve its operations across the UK and Europe.

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Most of the new buses and coaches will be produced in the UK, helping support hundreds of British manufacturing jobs, said Stagecoach.

A total of 351 will be built by Falkirk-based Alexander Dennis Ltd. It brings the firm's total vehicle investment over the last six years to more than £445 million.

Les Warneford, managing director of Stagecoach UK Bus, said: "This latest multi-million-pound investment is a great New Year boost for Britain.

"It will deliver better bus services to local communities across the country and will help support British manufacturing jobs. It is also great news for our customers, who continue to benefit from the best value fares of any major bus operator in the UK.

"We are continuing to see consumers switch to smarter, better value bus travel as motorists feel the effect of high fuel prices and the increasing cost of running a car. These new buses will also be better for the environment and continue our market-leading investment in greener technology.

"The new orders will also see further investment in our budget coach service megabus.com, which now carries more than five million passengers a year in the UK alone.

"We have placed a special order for new double-decker sleeper coaches, which will allow us to run a luxury service during the day and offer greater comfort to our customers on overnight services."

Scotland's Transport Minister Keith Brown said: "This investment by Stagecoach is fantastic news, not only for bus users in Scotland, but particularly given that such a huge part of the investment will be spent right here on Scottish jobs and industry."

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