National Express Coaches Discussion

[Statto]

The Flixbus service starts in Glasgow though, & stops at Edinburgh & Newcastle, before getting to Sunderland, chances of getting a decent seat is not great, also note the Southbound Flixbus service arrives in London Victoria at 05.45, however the Northbound service, whilst it leaves Lodon Victoria 21.30 that arrives in Sunderland 03.10.

I'd prefer the National Express service for that reason particularly if you need a connection in Sunderland.

 

[route101]

That'll be a 436, stopping off at Hartlepool, Billingham, Middlesbrough, York, Doncaster and Milton Keynes. Operated by Go North East.
All NX coaches have standard leather seats, not enormously comfy imo and took me a while to get the knack to sleeping on them. My recommendation would be to bring a scarf or cushion, get a window seat somewhere in the middle away from the door and the toilet, then shut the curtain, stuff the scarf/cushion between your shoulder and the window and try and sleep on that. You'll still wake up at every stop at least, but I've found this to be semi-effective in between.
If doing it again I'd go for Flixbus from Sunderland - only one stop before London so you'd get a much better sleep, tho coach might be a bit busier when you get on.

Yes, some night services stop quite often and its hard to sustain sleep all the way through. The problem with Flixbus is the legroom on yutongs.

 

[tomoufc]

Looked at getting National Express recently from Manchester to Oxford and return, thinking it could be much cheaper versus Cross Country - which around £80 with split tickets - and to avoid the overcrowded trains. But NX was quoting £75 return, with a change in Milton Keynes (taking much longer than the train, of course). To be fair, this is for a summer peak weekend journey, but still I was expecting NX to be significantly cheaper. Coach prices seem to have gone up a lot in recent years. There used to be at least two Manchester to Oxford services a day, from memory, plus at least one Megabus. Flixbus doesn’t seem to have a direct route. No wonder Cross Country are heaving!

 

[Parebunks]

Looked at getting National Express recently from Manchester to Oxford and return, thinking it could be much cheaper versus Cross Country - which around £80 with split tickets - and to avoid the overcrowded trains. But NX was quoting £75 return, with a change in Milton Keynes (taking much longer than the train, of course). To be fair, this is for a summer peak weekend journey, but still I was expecting NX to be significantly cheaper. Coach prices seem to have gone up a lot in recent years. There used to be at least two Manchester to Oxford services a day, from memory, plus at least one Megabus. Flixbus doesn’t seem to have a direct route. No wonder Cross Country are heaving!

Oxford from the north is quite difficult since NX got rid of the Birmingham-Oxford-Heathrow 210, it is possible to find cheaper tickets but certainly a factor in the train issues! Does seem like a potential opening for Flix but they haven't got anything to Oxford so far, seem to be focusing on NX's more intensive corridors.
For Manchester to Oxford my suggestion would be to see if you can route via one of the remaining Birmingham trips as that's usually cheaper. If you have to go via MK check whether it's putting you on the 737 or X5 to Oxford. If X5 (as it usually is) you can book to MK only then buy a ticket on the bus, which saves about £5 either way.

 

[Wembleybound]

Any one know how much leg rooms u get on a normal seat

 

[route101]

Looked at getting National Express recently from Manchester to Oxford and return, thinking it could be much cheaper versus Cross Country - which around £80 with split tickets - and to avoid the overcrowded trains. But NX was quoting £75 return, with a change in Milton Keynes (taking much longer than the train, of course). To be fair, this is for a summer peak weekend journey, but still I was expecting NX to be significantly cheaper. Coach prices seem to have gone up a lot in recent years. There used to be at least two Manchester to Oxford services a day, from memory, plus at least one Megabus. Flixbus doesn’t seem to have a direct route. No wonder Cross Country are heaving!

Yes, coach trips are generally more expensive for me on the long Scotland to England services. Usually pay £20 to £30 one way. National Express will often sell out while Flixbus will surge their prices.

 

[Eyersey468]

Any one know how much leg rooms u get on a normal seat

I've PMd you

 

[tomoufc]

Oxford from the north is quite difficult since NX got rid of the Birmingham-Oxford-Heathrow 210, it is possible to find cheaper tickets but certainly a factor in the train issues! Does seem like a potential opening for Flix but they haven't got anything to Oxford so far, seem to be focusing on NX's more intensive corridors.
For Manchester to Oxford my suggestion would be to see if you can route via one of the remaining Birmingham trips as that's usually cheaper. If you have to go via MK check whether it's putting you on the 737 or X5 to Oxford. If X5 (as it usually is) you can book to MK only then buy a ticket on the bus, which saves about £5 either way.

Thanks for this. Yes, split ticketing could be the way to go - the only problem being if you missed the connection on the return journey. NX would be unlikely to allow you to use a later service unless you booked the X5 as a through ticket, I would imagine.

Megabus used to run Manchester to Water Eaton park and ride. I wonder it Flix or another company might consider something similar, as it negates having to drive in and out of Oxford.

 

[Mikw]

Was in Leicester today, noticed quite a few non National Express coaches doing National Express services, more than normal

 

[Martin1988]

Was in Leicester today, noticed quite a few non National Express coaches doing National Express services, more than normal

I reckon they were dupes. The 040 Bristol to London route commonly gets non NX branded vehicles duping at weekends, normally on Saturday morning.

It was half term this week too

 

[MCR247]

Was in Leicester today, noticed quite a few non National Express coaches doing National Express services, more than normal

MML closed again this weekend so imagine NX are benefiting too

 

[route101]

Sampled the second 183 service from Leeds to Glasgow via Middlesborough today. Driver couldn't find the stop at Middlesborough Bus Station , must of been is first time there. Interesting that a second driver came on at Newcastle and drove until Edinburgh.

 

[Mikw]

Used National Express for a daytrip from Leicester to London on Monday, really good service. Got off and on at Golders Green, journey time sub 2 hours, and ticket cost was £9.60 return, really nothing to complain about at all.

 

[cambsy]

I use National Express Exeter-London quite often, but this often cost about 40-50 return, especially if getting over night-early morning service, so have started using the 509 from Cardiff-London, as can get these for 7-9 each way, and they are more frequent and useable. Dont know why Exeter-London is so much when Cardiff-London is such good price?.

 

[route101]

I use National Express Exeter-London quite often, but this often cost about 40-50 return, especially if getting over night-early morning service, so have started using the 509 from Cardiff-London, as can get these for 7-9 each way, and they are more frequent and useable. Dont know why Exeter-London is so much when Cardiff-London is such good price?.

I guess more services and more competition on Cardiff route. Scottish services from Birmingham are usually dearer than the Scotland - London services.

 

[James H]

I see the 035 is getting a shakeup next month, with most journeys going either via Basingstoke or Heathrow

 

[Parebunks]

I see the 035 is getting a shakeup next month, with most journeys going either via Basingstoke or Heathrow

Part of a bigger rework of South Coast routes:
- 032 to Southampton all going via Heathrow; Basingstoke dropped
- 035 mostly via Heathrow or Basingstoke as mentioned
- 205 Bournemouth-Southampton-Heathrow-Gatwick cut, replaced with the above and:
- 206, new Bournemouth-Southampton-Portsmouth-Gatwick
Think this is broadly negative - losing the faster London trips is probably bad enough to outweigh faster Gatwick and the new coastal route. Leaves NX more directly mirroring the Flix offering, which seems to be a trend elsewhere.

 

[Wilko82]

Part of a bigger rework of South Coast routes:
- 032 to Southampton all going via Heathrow; Basingstoke dropped
- 035 mostly via Heathrow or Basingstoke as mentioned
- 205 Bournemouth-Southampton-Heathrow-Gatwick cut, replaced with the above and:
- 206, new Bournemouth-Southampton-Portsmouth-Gatwick
Think this is broadly negative - losing the faster London trips is probably bad enough to outweigh faster Gatwick and the new coastal route. Leaves NX more directly mirroring the Flix offering, which seems to be a trend elsewhere.

Just had a quick look at some of the changes and times and all I can say is what a mess.

 

[nick291]

I guess more services and more competition on Cardiff route. Scottish services from Birmingham are usually dearer than the Scotland - London services.

I have found the M4 Corridor as a whole to be relatively inexpensive compared to the price of the train/driving. And the competition from both NX/Flix helps keep pricing down as much as possible

 

[Titfield]

Part of a bigger rework of South Coast routes:
- 032 to Southampton all going via Heathrow; Basingstoke dropped
- 035 mostly via Heathrow or Basingstoke as mentioned
- 205 Bournemouth-Southampton-Heathrow-Gatwick cut, replaced with the above and:
- 206, new Bournemouth-Southampton-Portsmouth-Gatwick
Think this is broadly negative - losing the faster London trips is probably bad enough to outweigh faster Gatwick and the new coastal route. Leaves NX more directly mirroring the Flix offering, which seems to be a trend elsewhere.

National Express seem determined to trash the Bournemouth -Heathrow market. Given the cost of parking at LHR or the cost of taxis Or the poor rail air link via Woking there is a market for the taking. It needs a regular headway. Given how expensive taxis or rail air link is there is plenty of scope for premium fare levels.

 

[route101]

National Express seem determined to trash the Bournemouth -Heathrow market. Given the cost of parking at LHR or the cost of taxis Or the poor rail air link via Woking there is a market for the taking. It needs a regular headway. Given how expensive taxis or rail air link is there is plenty of scope for premium fare levels.

The 206 has been touted to come back for years now. It was an old route pre covid I think. The NX services to Heathrow from the South Coast are pretty handy compared to the train.

The 032 going via LHR, will there be extra capacity in more services I wonder.

 

[Wilko82]

National Express seem determined to trash the Bournemouth -Heathrow market. Given the cost of parking at LHR or the cost of taxis Or the poor rail air link via Woking there is a market for the taking. It needs a regular headway. Given how expensive taxis or rail air link is there is plenty of scope for premium fare levels.

By making these changes they have also trashed the Bournemouth to Victoria market, with most journey times vastly increasing. At present the journey is very competitive against the train for time, as although slightly longer the cheaper fares compensate that. This will only push more people who want to travel to Central London on to the train. A good example is those in Weymouth returning from a weekend in London currently leave Victoria at 1600 and arrive back in Weymouth at 1945. The new changes mean the departure time is not until 1630 and the time is also increased, so arrival isn't until 2055. The Swanage service has also been removed, although I have no major issue with that if no one was using it, it does seem strange to remove it before the peak summer period.

 

[Titfield]

By making these changes they have also trashed the Bournemouth to Victoria market, with most journey times vastly increasing. At present the journey is very competitive against the train for time, as although slightly longer the cheaper fares compensate that. This will only push more people who want to travel to Central London on to the train. A good example is those in Weymouth returning from a weekend in London currently leave Victoria at 1600 and arrive back in Weymouth at 1945. The new changes mean the departure time is not until 1630 and the time is also increased, so arrival isn't until 2055. The Swanage service has also been removed, although I have no major issue with that if no one was using it, it does seem strange to remove it before the peak summer period.

As someone who sees the Swanage service from time to time the passenger numbers seem to be very low indeed. On the times I have travelled on it it has been just me between Swanage and Poole.

 

[henryb]

I use National Express Exeter-London quite often, but this often cost about 40-50 return, especially if getting over night-early morning service, so have started using the 509 from Cardiff-London, as can get these for 7-9 each way, and they are more frequent and useable. Dont know why Exeter-London is so much when Cardiff-London is such good price?.

Parks are the only operator willing to do it for NatEx down South, so that brings up the price. Suprised it hasn’t dropped more with FlixBus doing overnight and daytime from £7.99 each way

 

[cambsy]

Parks Of Hamilton Plymouth Depot, also have a mostly old fleet of Caetano‘s, from 67 plates to 21 plates, which another reason why go from Cardiff, as Edward’s who do the 509, have mostly 73-24 plate coaches, with a few older ones. Parks of Hamilton haven’t had any new coaches for a while, so wouldnt be surprised, that if they not get newer coaches soon, they could lose contract to Edwards.

The reason Parks of Hamilton could lose contract, is if memory correct, National Express dont like coaches older than 5 years old, and Dennis Parks, owner of Parks Of Hamilton, from what heard only likes Volvo engined coaches, so there delay in getting new coaches, which could end up with them losing contract to Edward’s, if Edward’s prepared take on these contracts too.

 

[henryb]

Parks Of Hamilton Plymouth Depot, also have a mostly old fleet of Caetano‘s, from 67 plates to 21 plates, which another reason why go from Cardiff, as Edward’s who do the 509, have mostly 73-24 plate coaches, with a few older ones. Parks of Hamilton haven’t had any new coaches for a while, so wouldnt be surprised, that if they not get newer coaches soon, they could lose contract to Edwards.

The reason Parks of Hamilton could lose contract, is if memory correct, National Express dont like coaches older than 5 years old, and Dennis Parks, owner of Parks Of Hamilton, from what heard only likes Volvo engined coaches, so there delay in getting new coaches, which could end up with them losing contract to Edward’s, if Edward’s prepared take on these contracts too.

How often are contacts up for renewal? What’s the delay with Volvo? They aren’t making them or they have massive leadtimes?
Flix also now have the 25 plates running in the SW so they could do with catching up

 

[cambsy]

Think all new National Express Caetano coaches are Scania engined, so Dennis Park wont want to buy the new Caetano coaches, but this only what i have heard from drivers etc, so could be wrong, would need confirming by someone more in the know. I dont know either how long National Express contracts last for, or wether they just carry on long as the operator want the contract.

 

[route101]

The timetable for the 206 service shows its valid until Sunday 25th of August, is this a summer only service?

 

[henryb]

Think all new National Express Caetano coaches are Scania engined, so Dennis Park wont want to buy the new Caetano coaches, but this only what i have heard from drivers etc, so could be wrong, would need confirming by someone more in the know. I dont know either how long National Express contracts last for, or wether they just carry on long as the operator want the contract.

Well reliability is rapidly dropping on their current older 67 plates.. breakdowns are more and more frequent + their training vehicle caught fire not too long ago

 

[cambsy]

Henryb, I saw the pic of a Parks Of Hamilton 67 plate coach, having caught fire, and though not experience breakdown in good few years, id not be surprised if with their age, they barely breaking down more now, so hope they get brand new or newer coaches soon.