Stagecoach found guilty of bus war dirty tricks

Stagecoach has been found guilty of using dirty tricks to try to lure passengers from rival companies in Manchester's bus war.

Stagecoach has been found guilty of using dirty tricks to try to lure passengers from rival companies in Manchester's bus war.

The company, which has a reputation for aggressive takeovers in the transport industry, parked its vehicles on the bus stops of other operators in a city-centre square, blocking their access. Stagecoach inspectors then stood in front of rival vehicles, obstructed the doors and "herded" passengers towards waiting Stagecoach buses, an inquiry was told.

The public inquiry, chaired by the Traffic Commissioner for the North West, was set up after allegations by Dennis's Coaches, a bus operator, that Stagecoach was using unfair practices to gain a commercial advantage. It received several witness statements from drivers and passengers complaining about heavy-handed tactics employed by Stagecoach.

The company has now been banned from running three routes in the Manchester area for eight weeks. It has until this Friday to appeal against the ruling.

A spokesman for the Confederation of Passenger Transport, the trade association for buses and coaches, commented: "If any company is in breach of the regulations then it can be fined, have its services withdrawn or ultimately lose its operating licence."