Local bus operator launches 'NHS Heroes' competition to celebrate the NHS' 78th birthday with free bus travel

To mark the recent 78th anniversary of the founding of the NHS, a local bus operator has launched a campaign to give extraordinary healthcare workers the chance to win free travel.

Stagecoach is inviting communities to nominate "NHS Heroes" for a chance to win a full month of travel on Stagecoach buses.

Whether it is a family member, a friend, a neighbour, or a frontline worker who has made a profound difference during a time of need, Stagecoach wants to hear their stories. The competition aims to shine a spotlight on those who go above and beyond - from the nurse who showed exceptional kindness to a patient, to the healthcare colleague who brightens every shift.

Anyone can nominate their NHS Hero by sharing the nominee's first name and their inspiring story on Stagecoach’s official social-media channels. Multiple nominations can be submitted by each person and the deadline for entries is Friday 31^st July.

In addition to the birthday competition, Stagecoach offers a discount on bus travel to all NHS employees across England and Scotland, helping commuters cut the cost of their daily journeys to hospitals, clinics, and health centres.

Matt Cranwell, Managing Director of Stagecoach East Midlands, said: “Professionals in the NHS do an amazing job, providing essential services for our local communities, so we are pleased to be able to put them in the spotlight and offer a great prize to help them get to work easily and in comfort.”

Debra Goodwin, Chief People & Customer Officer at Stagecoach, added: "The NHS is built on the dedication of incredible individuals who give their all to support our communities every single day. As we celebrate the health service’s 78th birthday, we want to say a heartfelt thank you. Public transport connects so many healthcare staff to their shifts, and we are delighted to give the public a chance to reward their local NHS heroes with a month of free travel on us."

-- To find out more about local bus routes and services, to buy before you board, and to track your local bus, you can download the Stagecoach Bus App from https://www.stagecoachbus.com/promos-and-offers/national/stagecoachbusapp.

ENDS

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About Stagecoach

Founded in 1980, Stagecoach is the UK’s largest bus and coach operator, with a fleet of 8,400 vehicles connecting over 100 major towns and cities across England, Scotland, and Wales.

With 25,000 people in our team, we’re deeply rooted in the communities we serve. We know how important it is to stay connected to the people and places that matter – and we’re proud to play our part in helping make everyday journey simpler, greener and more reliable.

It’s all part of our promise: we’ve got you.

We work closely with partners to support greener, smarter, and more inclusive transport – helping reduce congestion, cut emissions and boost local economies. Nearly 10% of our 8,400-strong fleet is now electric, and that number continues to grow as we invest in cleaner, more sustainable travel.

As part of our sustainability strategy, we’ve committed to supporting local communities by donating up to 0.5% of profit before tax each year to charitable causes across the UK.