Stagecoach shares slipped 1.5 per cent in morning trading in spite of a generally upbeat statement on operations in the first half of its financial year.

The transport operator, co-founded by Sir Brian Souter, reported growth at all of its UK rail and bus operations and said it was on course to hit annual targets.

However it warned demand for its Megabus inter-city services in North America is being hit by ongoing low fuel prices which made driving long distances by car more affordable.