Ticket sales rise at transport group Stagecoach

Stagecoach said bus revenue in the UK increased by 1.9% while rail income was up by 6.9%

The Perth-based transport group Stagecoach has reported a rise in ticket sales across its operations.

Rail income rose by 6.9% in the last 10 months, with figures rising by 12.6% at Virgin Rail, in which Stagecoach has a 49% stake.

Bus revenue increased by only 1.9%, even though the group's US coach operations reported growth of 8.2% in the last nine months.

Stagecoach said the bad weather at the end of last year had hit the company.

However, in a statement to the stock exchange the company said: "Overall current trading remains good and we believe the prospects for the group remain positive."