National Express Coaches Discussion

[Butts]

Due to the uncertainty of Rail Strikes / Services I have had to defect to National Express for a number of journeys mainly between Heathrow T5 and Birmingham later in the year.

You can book the first 5 rows of seats in advance (except 1A/B) which are for Disabled use. Are any of the other bookable seats "Exit Rows" or extra legroom ?

How do they indicate they are reserved onboard (tickets or electronic displays?)

Not sure how busy they will be and will be boarding a starting point both ends. I know there is an exit row at the back as well.

One thing I do like about NE is the ability to pay an extra fiver to be able utilise any service 12 hours either side of your booking for a fiver. Particularly useful at Heathrow where I have been delayed a number of times.

Last year I burnt a ton on Advanced 1st Class Tickets I was unable to utilise due to baggage delays on arrival at LHR. Couldn't get to Euston in time.

 

[Eyersey468]

Due to the uncertainty of Rail Strikes / Services I have had to defect to National Express for a number of journeys mainly between Heathrow T5 and Birmingham later in the year.

You can book the first 5 rows of seats in advance (except 1A/B) which are for Disabled use. Are any of the other bookable seats "Exit Rows" or extra legroom ?

How do they indicate they are reserved onboard (tickets or electronic displays?)

There are blue stickers that are put on the headrests if a seat is reserved

 

[Butts]

There are blue stickers that are put on the headrests if a seat is reserved

Thanks, are any of the 5 bookable rows extra legroom ?

 

[markymark2000]

Thanks, are any of the 5 bookable rows extra legroom ?

Seat 2A is extra leg room (because of the disabled space ahead) but that's it really.

 

[Butts]

Seat 2A is extra leg room (because of the disabled space ahead) but that's it really.

So would you recommend 2A for me and 2B for my son

I'm sure some coaches I have been on there is an exit row near the front as well as the one at the back ?

Is the 210 always the same Vehicle ?

 

[markymark2000]

So would you recommend 2A for me and 2B for my son

I'm sure some coaches I have been on there is an exit row near the front as well as the one at the back ?

2A is a lot of leg room because seat 1A basically doesn't exist (meaning you do lose a seatback table and storage). Seat 1B is the backrest for a wheelchair. That is the same on all Levantes on the NatEx network. The emergency exit row at the rear of the bus is unreserved and so it is a case of getting there first.

Is the 210 always the same Vehicle ?

Almost always, all National Express routes are a Levante of some kind (which have the layout as above). There is the usual disclaimer though that vehicles can change to a none standard type due to breakdown or if a duplicate bus runs then it may not be a standard bus so again, it will just be any vehicle that NatEx can get their hands on.

 

[route101]

Due to the uncertainty of Rail Strikes / Services I have had to defect to National Express for a number of journeys mainly between Heathrow T5 and Birmingham later in the year.

You can book the first 5 rows of seats in advance (except 1A/B) which are for Disabled use. Are any of the other bookable seats "Exit Rows" or extra legroom ?

How do they indicate they are reserved onboard (tickets or electronic displays?)

Not sure how busy they will be and will be boarding a starting point both ends. I know there is an exit row at the back as well.

One thing I do like about NE is the ability to pay an extra fiver to be able utilise any service 12 hours either side of your booking for a fiver. Particularly useful at Heathrow where I have been delayed a number of times.

Last year I burnt a ton on Advanced 1st Class Tickets I was unable to utilise due to baggage delays on arrival at LHR. Couldn't get to Euston in time.

How does the £5 add on to use a service 12 hours either side of a booking if the services are sold out?

 

[Deerfold]

How does the £5 add on to use a service 12 hours either side of a booking if the services are sold out?

It doesn't actually allow you to board any coach within that window, it allows you to change your ticket to another service without a further fee.
Presumably if there's no free seats on a service, you won't be able to transfer to that service.

 

[dan5324]

It doesn't actually allow you to board any coach within that window, it allows you to change your ticket to another service without a further fee.
Presumably if there's no free seats on a service, you won't be able to transfer to that service.

That’s the idea. In reality though passengers turn up thinking it’s a pass to get on any service they please, without booking. Clearly that’s wrong as among other things it could lead to ticket reuse/fraud. Most drivers won’t care though and let them on if they have space.

 

[Eyersey468]

Presumably if there's no free seats on a service, you won't be able to transfer to that service.

Correct

 

[route101]

Anyone know what date the 206 service from Poole to Gatwick resumes?

 

[Smethwickian]

That’s the idea. In reality though passengers turn up thinking it’s a pass to get on any service they please, without booking. Clearly that’s wrong as among other things it could lead to ticket reuse/fraud. Most drivers won’t care though and let them on if they have space.

In fact if you read the full T&C's on a PDF linked from here https://www.nationalexpress.com/en/help/change-go it states it CAN be used on a standby, turn-up-and-hope-for-a-seat basis at the driver's discretion when travelling from locations without a staffed NX ticket office (including Heathrow). It's possibly not NX's intention but until they rewrite the relevant paragraph that is what passengers can do. In response to complaints about driver's refusing standby travel on that basis, the service delivery team reminded operators of this obligation a couple of months ago.

 

[Eyersey468]

Yeah we have been told that passengers with Change and go are to be carried if we have space

 

[JonathanH]

Anyone know what date the 206 service from Poole to Gatwick resumes?

Is it actually resuming? Are loadings such that the 205 and 206 are needed?

It seems that the 205 is able to operate alongside the 035 service Gatwick and Heathrow but Gatwick via the South Coast to Poole is a different matter.

 

[ADB125]

Is it actually resuming? Are loadings such that the 205 and 206 are needed?

It seems that the 205 is able to operate alongside the 035 service Gatwick and Heathrow but Gatwick via the South Coast to Poole is a different matter.

I heard that it is still coming back but it's been delayed a couple of months. Currently there are no direct services to Gatwick from either Southampton or Portsmouth, I think that is the reason for the 206.

 

[dan5324]

In fact if you read the full T&C's on a PDF linked from here https://www.nationalexpress.com/en/help/change-go it states it CAN be used on a standby, turn-up-and-hope-for-a-seat basis at the driver's discretion when travelling from locations without a staffed NX ticket office (including Heathrow). It's possibly not NX's intention but until they rewrite the relevant paragraph that is what passengers can do. In response to complaints about driver's refusing standby travel on that basis, the service delivery team reminded operators of this obligation a couple of months ago.

Change and go is completely separate to the flexible ticket type.

 

[Deerfold]

I heard that it is still coming back but it's been delayed a couple of months. Currently there are no direct services to Gatwick from either Southampton or Portsmouth, I think that is the reason for the 206.

Heard where?

 

[F Great Eastern]

National Express have confirmed that they will launch a Belfast to Dublin route on 18th July with Levante 3 coaches, going directly up against FirstGroup owned Aircoach who appear to be going through a very sticky period with driver shortages and poor commercial performance and an exodus of staff being just some of a number of issues.

Dublin Coach Travel & Airport Transfers | Dublin Express

Discover the benefits of coach travel with Dublin Express, the convenient and cost-effective way to travel between Belfast, Dublin and Dublin Airport.

www.dublinexpress.ie

Discover the benefits of coach travel with Dublin Express, the convenient and cost-effective way to travel between Dublin and Dublin Airport. With 119 services a day between Dublin City and the airport, you can rely on a Dublin Express coach to get you to the airport or city with ease.

Not only that, but with our single tickets priced from just €8,

 

[Smethwickian]

Change and go is completely separate to the flexible ticket type.

The responses relate to route101's question in post 667 asking how the £5 supplement for 12 hours' flexibility worked. That is Change-and-go. You stated that people regard it as a 'free pass to travel without booking' so I pointed out the very many occasions on which they can indeed turn up within the 12 hours' window without rebooking when their ticket is from any stop without an NX ticket office. Sorry if there was something not clear about that.

National Express have confirmed that they will launch a Belfast to Dublin route on 18th July with Levante 3 coaches, going directly up against FirstGroup owned Aircoach who appear to be going through a very sticky period with driver shortages and poor commercial performance and an exodus of staff being just some of a number of issues.

Since I've been asked by the mods to provide a source for the new service, it's here:

Dublin Coach Travel & Airport Transfers | Dublin Express

Discover the benefits of coach travel with Dublin Express, the convenient and cost-effective way to travel between Belfast, Dublin and Dublin Airport.

www.dublinexpress.ie

Timetable is route 755 way down the bottom of this page https://timetables.nationalexpress.com/routes

 

[route101]

I heard that it is still coming back but it's been delayed a couple of months. Currently there are no direct services to Gatwick from either Southampton or Portsmouth, I think that is the reason for the 206.

There was a short lived 204 extension from Heathrow to Gatwick last year but did not last long.

 

[winston270twm]

National Express have confirmed that they will launch a Belfast to Dublin route on 18th July with Levante 3 coaches, going directly up against FirstGroup owned Aircoach who appear to be going through a very sticky period with driver shortages and poor commercial performance and an exodus of staff being just some of a number of issues.

Since I've been asked by the mods to provide a source for the new service, it's here:

Dublin Coach Travel & Airport Transfers | Dublin Express

Discover the benefits of coach travel with Dublin Express, the convenient and cost-effective way to travel between Belfast, Dublin and Dublin Airport.

www.dublinexpress.ie

3 of the Levante 3's are confirmed as follows:

BV23ZVU
BV23ZVY
BV23ZWD

I believe the other 3 are likely to be as follows (but not confirmed)

BV23ZVR
BV23ZVS
BV23ZVT

I believe they will be operated by Quinns, Northern Ireland on behalf of Dublin Express

 

[F Great Eastern]

The responses relate to route101's question in post 667 asking how the £5 supplement for 12 hours' flexibility worked. That is Change-and-go. You stated that people regard it as a 'free pass to travel without booking' so I pointed out the very many occasions on which they can indeed turn up within the 12 hours' window without rebooking when their ticket is from any stop without an NX ticket office. Sorry if there was something not clear about that.


Timetable is route 755 way down the bottom of this page https://timetables.nationalexpress.com/routes

They'll do well,

3 of the Levante 3's are confirmed as follows:

BV23ZVU
BV23ZVY
BV23ZWD

I believe the other 3 are likely to be as follows (but not confirmed)

BV23ZVR
BV23ZVS
BV23ZVT

I believe they will be operated by Quinns, Northern Ireland on behalf of Dublin Express

Yes. It is being operated by Quinns. The Levante 3 coaches will be superior to anything else on the route.

 

[ADB125]

Heard where?

People who work for National Express had mentioned it in some facebook groups so I assume it would be correct.

There was a short lived 204 extension from Heathrow to Gatwick last year but did not last long.

Didnt realise that, wonder why it was cut back

I see there is an overnight Blackpool to London service starting from next week so Blackpool and Preston finally get a direct london service again.

 

[route101]

People who work for National Express had mentioned it in some facebook groups so I assume it would be correct.


Didnt realise that, wonder why it was cut back

I see there is an overnight Blackpool to London service starting from next week so Blackpool and Preston finally get a direct london service again.

Poor publicity and loads. When I used the service , there was just one person who used it from Gatwick. It was early 2022 so travel was still to bounce back.

 

[JonathanH]

I see there is an overnight Blackpool to London service starting from next week so Blackpool and Preston finally get a direct london service again.

Interesting to see that this new 424 is linked to extra capacity from Manchester to London, rather than restoring the old 421 (which became the 423 when it was terminated at Liverpool). I see that the 422 is still running from Manchester as well as the new 424.

 

[Smethwickian]

National Express have announced the merger of their existing coach holidays and tours businesses under one brand: Touromo (www.touromo.com)

This will replace the various acquired brands under which the group’s holiday and day trips used to be offered. The brands being replaced were acquired with the takeover of Lucketts Travel Group in 2020 (Lucketts Travel, Coliseum Coaches, Worthing Coaches, Solent Coaches and Mortons Travel) & Stewarts Travel Group in 2018 (Stewarts Tours & Woods Coaches).

The previous web-sites for these various companies now have redirect holding pages forwarding customers to either the new Touromo website (for holidays and tours) or National Express Travel Solutions (for coach hire and business).

This may explain why recently delivered Mercedes-Benz Tourismo coaches have been delivered in plain white.

---
see

Touromo takes coach tours to the next level

Touromo takes coach tours to the next level

www.nationalexpressgroup.com

Touromo is to close at the end of the main summer season. Holidays from, I think, September onwards are cancelled.
I cannot link to any official announcement yet as affected staff being advised of a potential redundancy situation today. A small number of Digbeth-based customer service staff specifically allocated to Touromo are definitely no longer required. I have no idea what it will mean for depots and drivers.
The business simply not profitable enough, apparently.

 

[dan5324]

The coach business as a whole isn’t doing as well as is being made out. Only a few days ago on the grapevine it was said that U.K. coach has to find savings of 14 million within the next two years. What with the new Mobico name, it genuinely wouldn’t surprise me if UK coach is auctioned off in a few years time.

 

[Titfield]

The coach business as a whole isn’t doing as well as is being made out. Only a few days ago on the grapevine it was said that U.K. coach has to find savings of 14 million within the next two years. What with the new Mobico name, it genuinely wouldn’t surprise me if UK coach is auctioned off in a few years time.

Who or what is U.K.coach?

 

[markymark2000]

The coach business as a whole isn’t doing as well as is being made out. Only a few days ago on the grapevine it was said that U.K. coach has to find savings of 14 million within the next two years. What with the new Mobico name, it genuinely wouldn’t surprise me if UK coach is auctioned off in a few years time.

Why does UK Coach need to make savings? Surely record numbers of passengers means record levels of revenue and profit?

Other than cuts to services (which must be busy given the rate of expansion), what other costs can be cut to make such big savings?

 

[GusB]

Who or what is U.K.coach?

Presumably the UK Coach part of National Express. This could have been made clearer, though.

Why does UK Coach need to make savings? Surely record numbers of passengers means record levels of revenue and profit?

Other than cuts to services (which must be busy given the rate of expansion), what other costs can be cut to make such big savings?

I find this slightly puzzling as it certainly contradicts what is being said publicly.

NatEx service uplift as scheduled coach grows again - routeone

Buoyancy in the scheduled coach service market shows no sign of slowing after National Express introduced major increases in provision.

www.route-one.net

Buoyancy in the scheduled coach service market shows no sign of ending after National Express introduced a trio of new routes and uplifted the timetables of three others from 3 July.

Airport services to and from Luton and Stansted are prominent among the changes, which come as bullish competitor FlixBus continues to grow its offering and underline its stated aim of running the UK’s largest scheduled coach network by 2025.

However, National Express has already outlined plans to purchase 130 new coaches, while its July changes follow an uplift in March as neither it nor FlixBus appear willing to blink first in the increasingly competitive scheduled coach service marketplace.

The three new routes introduced by National Express are:

A31, running 12 services per day between Luton Airport and Portsmouth via London
424, with a daily overnight service between Blackpool and London via Manchester
455, providing four services per day between Northampton and London via Milton Keynes.
Enhanced are:

A2 between Luton Airport and London Paddington, which has seen daily services increase from 16 to 48
A5 between Stansted Airport and London Paddington, which goes from 16 to 39 services per day
A7 between Stansted Airport and London Victoria, which sees a 15-minute reduction in journey times and 42 trips per day.
The further increase follows what National Express says is “a continued surge” in custom during 2023 that is expected to reach 21 million passenger journeys by year end. In 2022 it carried over 16 million customers, up from over 10 million in 2021. Railway strikes and increased motoring costs are given as contributing factors to that boom.