Public transport operator Stagecoach has seen it bus revenue decline while revenue from its train services are on the increase.

Stagecoach, which has invested heavily in improving its bus fleet in Gloucestershire in recent years, today provided a trading update.

Revenue from UK Bus services (regional operations) fell by 1.7 per cent and its services in North America were also down by 2.2 per cent.

But in contrast, revenue from UK Rail was up 1.6 per cent and Virgin Rail Group (in which Stagecoach has a 49 per cent stake) was up 5.3 per cent in the 44 weeks to March 4, 2017.

Stagecoach said the fall in like-for-like passenger journeys in the UK was "largely as a result of weak underlying local economic conditions in some parts of the UK and sustained lower fuel levels.

"We are continuing to make progress with our digital investment programme, expanding contactless payments for bus travel, amongst other measures, to further enhance the quality of our bus and coach services.

"We remain positive on the longer term opportunities within the UK Bus (regional operations) Division.

"UK rail industry revenue growth has slowed over the last 18 months. Although there has been improvement in our growth rates, they remain low by historical standards. "