PERTH, Scotland -- Stagecoach Group announced late last month it is investing $10.5 million in new double-decker Van Hool coaches for its megabus.com network in North America.

The 15 additional Van Hool TD 925 coaches are expected to enter service within the next six months, as megabus further expands it system that now operates in more than 30 states and two provinces in Canada.

Upwards of 120 destinations are served by megabus.

Stagecoach Group reported in December that revenue from its megabus.com operations in North America increased by more than 20 percent in the six months ended Oct. 31, and further growth is expected this year. (See Jan. 1 issue of Bus & Motorcoach News.)

The 81-seat TD 925 models operated by megabus have free Wi-Fi, are "green certified" and wheelchair accessible.

Commented Dale Moser, president and chief operating officer of megabus: "megabus.com has transformed inter-city bus travel in North America.

"We believe there is a huge opportunity to encourage people to leave their car keys at home and take the bus to get to work, make a business trip, travel with friends or go on a vacation.

"These new state-of-the-art coaches are part of our exciting expansion plans for 2014 and will help bring safe, high-quality and affordable to travel to more people in North America."

Stagecoach indicated it found encouragement regarding the U.S. market in the latest intercity bus research report from DePaul University Chaddick Institute for Metropolitan Development in Chicago.

The institute said it had found that bus passengers in the U.S. paid an average of 52 percent less than rail travelers and 79 percent less than those who chose use air travel.

Last month, megabus.com received the American Bus Association 2014 Green Operator Award.