Buses, as the old cliche goes, keep you waiting for ever and then all come along at once. So do carbon sensitive bus companies apparently.

And in a more amusing twist yet Optare has come about when three distinct bus companies crash into each other.

So, here's the story of Optare. And by way of a special treat, there's some serious investment wisdom too.

Research: OPT

See Richard Beddard’s analysis of Optare: Optare

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There’s an extra dynamic about investing in companies that run around on Britain’s creaking transport infrastructure.

Of course there are the usual techniques you can use - your fundamental analysis and so on.

But, if you’ve paid a fortune for a ticket, the train is rammed and you can’t get a seat - at least you know the shares are doing all right.

Research: GOG.L

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The original success story, Stagecoach has developed from a tinpot brother-and-sister firm into a multi-national corporation.

It’s not pretty. In fact, it’s uglier than a box of smashed oysters, but it certainly works and it seems to be behind the wheel of the eco bandwagon.

So will this fire up the share price or is it trundling towards an investment terminus?

Research: Stagecoach Plc

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