The Aberdeen-based company is the preferred bidder to supply coaches, park-and-ride services and shuttles for the venues.

FirstGroup, which ran a fleet of buses for athletes, officials and the media during the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester, is to provide around 500 buses and coaches for London 2012.

This would be for shuttle and venue park-and-ride services.

The firm will also provide around 90 buses and coaches for park-and-ride services, aimed at connecting parking sites on the periphery of the M25 with the Olympic Park and Ebbsfleet, the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) announced.

And 300 coaches will be used for an express service taking spectators to the Olympic Park in Stratford, as well as Weymouth and Portland, where sailing events are being held.

These will be sub-contracted from fleets up and down the country.

FirstGroup will also manage coach operations, bus and coach reservations and tickets and provide support staff, according to the announcement.

The 2012 bidding process started in August last year and 78 firms were whittled down to a seven-strong shortlist.

FirstGroup provided a fleet of 75 new single-deck buses on a dedicated network of routes linking the key sporting venues in Greater Manchester during the 2002 Commonwealth Games.

The network linked main railway stations, Manchester Airport and the Athletes' Village.

Hugh Sumner, the transport director for the ODA, said: "We are aiming for the first public transport Games in 2012 with spectators arriving at venues by rail, walking, cycling and coach services.

"About 10 per cent of spectators will use direct coach services, and a further 11 per cent will use park and ride services to get to events and venues across the country.

"As such this is a significant contract which will help ensure the ODA meets spectators travel requirements in 2012."

Transport Minister Sadiq Khan said: "Good transport is absolutely vital to a successful Games.

"This contract will provide crucial links for thousands of spectators throughout the country making the Olympic Park an accessible and cost effective destination.

"It also demonstrates that the benefits of London 2012 are being felt throughout the UK providing a vital economic boost at a time of financial difficulty."