STENA Line has won an exclusive £1m contract with Eurolines to carry scheduled coach business on its Fishguard to Rosslare route on the Irish Sea.
Rival ferry operator Irish Ferries previously handled Eurolines’ business to southern Ireland on the Pembroke to Rosslare route.
However, Stena claims its extensive network of Irish routes helped it win the business from Irish Ferries. It already has contracts with Eurolines on other crossings to Ireland from Holyhead to Dun Laoghaire and Dublin, and from Stranraer to Belfast.
Stena and Eurolines are planning a raft of joint activities to promote their services.
Eurolines deputy managing director John Gilbert said: “Using Stena for all three crossings offers us much greater scope to promote our total range of services to Ireland than ever before.
“We believe that the planned joint promotional activity will have a significant impact both on agents and customers.”
Meanwhile, Stena has introduced new club-class facilities for passengers who want an upgraded service on its Belfast-Stranraer route.
For a £7 premium each way, customers will be offered priority boarding, use of a club-class lounge and free refreshments and newspapers on the Stena HSS fast ferry.
Head of marketing Paul Grant said: “The service has been designed for motorists and business people who might want to unwind and relax after a long journey or carry on with some work during the crossing.”