Stagecoach Merseyside and South Lancashire is set to appoint a new managing director, as current MD Elisabeth Tasker has confirmed she is moving on to take the helm at the company’s Manchester and Wigan business.



Elisabeth has held the role of MD at Merseyside and South Lancashire since 2011, and has overseen a number of key company developments during her tenure, including a strong programme of investment to improve services - with £26.3 million invested in new vehicles alone over the last five years.



Other key improvements that she has overseen during her time in the business include the implementation of smart ticketing, the introduction of a new website and smartphone app, and the launch of a new partnership with Merseytravel and Arriva under the Bus Alliance Network, which has helped to improve services and frequencies across the region.



Elisabeth Tasker said: “I have thoroughly enjoyed the last five years working with the team at Merseyside and South Lancashire. They are a fantastic, dynamic group of people and have enabled us to drive forward real improvements, deliver better services for our customers and move the business forward in a positive direction.



“Buses play a key role in delivering connectivity, providing good value links to education, employment, health and leisure facilities and contributing significantly to the local economy. It has been a pleasure working with our many partners and stakeholders over the past five years, making real improvements for the millions of people who rely on the bus network every year and I know that good work will continue to allow buses to flourish in the future.”



Robert Montgomery, Stagecoach UK Bus Managing Director, said: “I would like to congratulate Elisabeth on her appointment. Her previous experience in Manchester, and in Merseyside and South Lancashire, will serve her well in building on the many improvements that have been delivered for customers in Manchester and Wigan in recent years.”

Elisabeth has 30 years’ experience in the transport industry. During the first part of her career she worked in transport logistics within the heavy goods industry before joining Stagecoach Manchester as Operations Director in 2000. In 2011, she was appointed Managing Director of Stagecoach Merseyside and South Lancashire.

She succeeds current Manchester and Wigan Managing Director Chris Bowles, who is stepping down from the role after a bus industry career spanning 42 years. He will remain with Stagecoach for up to 12 months, reporting directly to Stagecoach UK Bus Managing Director Robert Montgomery, to help develop the future strategy for the company’s bus network in Greater Manchester, before retiring in 2017.


Stagecoach Manchester and Wigan has 2,350 employees, including 1,800 drivers, running 800 buses out of six depots on 600 routes across the region. In 2015-16 alone, the company invested £19 million in buses and facilities. Independent research by Transport Focus has also rated Stagecoach Manchester amongst the best operators for value for money.

An internal recruitment process is now underway for the position of Managing Director, Stagecoach Merseyside and South Lancashire.