Furthest distance you can travel entirely on one bus operator?

[swt class 450]

What is the furthest possible distance that you can travel using one bus operator only?

For the purpose of this i am including all companies that are under the same ownership as one company. So i am counting all Arriva companies as one company, all First companies as one company, all Go Ahead companies as one company, all Stagecoach companies as one company, etc etc etc.

The furthest i can find so far is these:

• HORSHAM TO CARDIFF (STAGECOACH ONLY):
Horsham to Brighton (17)
Brighton to Havant (700)
Havant to Petersfield (37)
Petersfield to Winchester (67)
Winchester to Andover (85)
Andover to Ludgershall (8)
Ludgershall to Swindon (80)
Swindon to Cheltenham (51)
Cheltenham to Gloucester (10/93/94/94U/97/98/N94)
Gloucester to Ross On Wye (32/33)
Ross On Wye to Monmouth (34/35)
Monmouth to Abergavenny (83)
Abergavenny to Cardiff (X4)

• HORSHAM TO KINGS LYNN (STAGECOACH ONLY):
Horsham to Brighton (17)
Brighton to Havant (700)
Havant to Petersfield (37)
Petersfield to Winchester (67)
Winchester to Andover (85)
Andover to Ludgershall (8)
Ludgershall to Swindon (80)
Swindon to Oxford (S6)
Oxford to Cambridge (X5)
Cambridge to Peterborough (B)
Peterborough to Spalding (37)
Spalding to Kings Lynn (505)

• HORSHAM TO NEWTOWN (STAGECOACH ONLY):
Horsham to Brighton (17)
Brighton to Havant (700)
Havant to Petersfield (37)
Petersfield to Winchester (67)
Winchester to Andover (85)
Andover to Ludgershall (8)
Ludgershall to Swindon (80)
Swindon to Cheltenham (51)
Cheltenham to Gloucester (10/93/94/94U/97/98/N94)
Gloucester to Hereford (33)
Hereford to Brecon (T14)
Brecon to Newtown (T4)

• HORSHAM TO PLYMOUTH (STAGECOACH ONLY):
Horsham to Brighton (17)
Brighton to Havant (700)
Havant to Petersfield (37)
Petersfield to Winchester (67)
Winchester to Andover (85)
Andover to Ludgershall (8)
Ludgershall to Swindon (80)
Swindon to Cheltenham (51)
Cheltenham to Gloucester (10/93/94/94U/97/98/N94)
Gloucester to Bristol (60)
Bristol to Plymouth (FALCON)

• WREXHAM TO SCRABSTER (STAGECOACH ONLY):
Wrexham to Chester (5)
Chester to Liverpool (1/2/X8)
Liverpool to Preston (X2)
Preston to Lancaster (40/40A)
Lancaster to Keswick (555)
Keswick to Carlisle (554)
Carlisle to Dumfries (79)
Dumfries to Edinburgh (101/101S/102/102S)
Edinburgh to Perth (X56)
Perth to Aberdeen (X7)
Aberdeen to Inverness (10/10A/10B)
Inverness to Scrabster (X98/X99)

I presume that the Wrexham to Scrabster one i found may be the longest possible for Stagecoach and maybe possibly even the longest overall? Unless anyone knows otherwise? I would also be interested to know the longest distance you can travel on Arriva and First and other companies as well?

I am only including local bus services. I am not including coaches such as Megabus and National Express etc.

Can anyone think of any other very long distances that can be travelled on entirely one bus operator only?

 

[Robertj21a]

Isn't Arriva from Pwllheli to Market Harborough possible ?

 

[Mal]

Slightly off-topic, but the longest bus route I know of is 804 Inverness - Durness via Strathpeffer, Ullapool, Ledmore, Lochinver*, Scourie, Laxford Bridge and, Kinlochbervie**. Toilet breaks were taken at Ullapool, Lochinver and Kinlochbervie. Total route is 170 miles and takes over 5 hours each way. This is operated with the same driver who has an hour break at Smoo Cave, just along from Durness. It runs May to September each year and was operated by D&E coaches, but I believe it has changed hands since. I went on it some years ago and it was operated by a 16 seater mini-bus towing a trailer for up to 12 pedal bikes (!!) which had to be pre-booked and we picked two passengers and bikes up at Ullapool on the way back to Inverness. The fare was £24 day return and worth every penny.
*Lochinver (a double run of 22miles!) **Kinlochbervie (a double run of 6miles)

D&E still have the time table for the 804. leaving Inverness 8 50am and arriving back at 7 44pm! Quite a journey!

 

[Yorks185]

Isn't Arriva from Pwllheli to Market Harborough possible ?

Not sure about Pwllheli (as i dont think services 3/3B connect with any Arriva services from Portmadog or Blaenau Ffestiniog) but it is possible from Caernarfon

5/5C/X5 Caernarfon - Llandudno
12 Llandudno - Rhyl
X51 Rhyl - Wrexham
2/A Wrexham - Oswestry
70 or 576 Oswestry - Shrewsbury
X5 Shrewsbury - Telford
5 Telford - Stafford
74 Stafford - Cannock
60 or 61 Cannock - Lichfield
X65 or 765 Lichfield - Tamworth
65 Tamworth - Nuneaton
158 Nuneaton - Leicester
X3 Leicester - Market Harborough

 

[Jordan Adam]

• WREXHAM TO SCRABSTER (STAGECOACH ONLY):
Wrexham to Chester (5)
Chester to Liverpool (1/2/X8)
Liverpool to Preston (X2)
Preston to Lancaster (40/40A)
Lancaster to Keswick (555)
Keswick to Carlisle (554)
Carlisle to Dumfries (79)
Dumfries to Edinburgh (101/101S/102/102S)
Edinburgh to Perth (X56)
Perth to Aberdeen (X7)
Aberdeen to Inverness (10/10A/10B)
Inverness to Scrabster (X98/X99)

For the North East Scotland section you could add some extra miles in by doing...

Perth to Aberdeen (X7)
Aberdeen to Peterhead (60/61/63)
Peterhead to Fraserburgh (69/69B)
Fraserburgh to Banff (271/272/273)
Banff to Elgin (35)
Elgin to Inverness (10/10A/10B)
Inverness to Scrabster (X98/X99)

Basically following the coast round rather than direct up the A96.

 

[Megafuss]

I think the Wrexham/Scrabster one will take some beating, although Stagecoach Highlands do run a bit further along the north coast.

Don't think Arriva, Go Ahead or First can go anywhere near that distance.

First: 38 Edinburgh to Stirling, B12 Stirling to Balfron, B10 Balfron to Glasgow, 1 Glasgow to Balloch.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

It won't be the longest but the day before Good Friday, I had to get to get from Somerset to the Midlands. Given on the dole at the time (saving cash and having time to kill), I made the following journey courtesy of Stagecoach (and a lift at either end)

49 Trowbridge to Swindon
66 Swindon to Oxford
S3 Oxford to Chipping Norton
488 Chipping Norton to Banbury (I know - I could get the S4 direct from Oxford to Banbury)
200 Banbury to Daventry
D4 Daventry to Long Buckby
96 Long Buckby to Northampton
X7 Northampton to Market Harborough

I'd imagine you can do the first two, then take the X5 Oxford to Cambridge, then 11 Cambridge to Bury St Edmunds OR
X5 Oxford to St Neots, 66 St Neots to Huntingdon, B Huntingdon to Peterborough, 37 Peterborough to Spalding,505 Spalding to Kings Lynn so Trowbridge to either Kings Lynn or Bury St Edmunds

 

[swt class 450]

Many thanks for all the replies so far.

Yes indeed. I have just looked it up and it is indeed possible to travel from Pwllheli to Market Harborough entirely on Arriva buses. In fact you can get slightly further. It is possible to get from both Holyhead to Market Harborough and from Porthmadog to Market Harborough entirely by Arriva buses.

This is how you could do the journeys:

• HOLYHEAD TO MARKET HARBOROUGH (ARRIVA ONLY):
Holyhead to Bangor (4/4A/4B/X4)
Bangor to Llandudno (5/X5)
Llandudno to Rhyl (12)
Rhyl to Denbigh (51/52)
Denbigh to Wrexham (X51)
Wrexham to Oswestry (2/2A)
Oswestry to Shrewsbury (576)
Shrewsbury to Telford (X4/X5)
Telford to Stafford (5)
Stafford to Lichfield (825)
Lichfield to Tamworth (765/X65)
Tamworth to Nuneaton (65)
Nuneaton to Leicester (158)
Leicester to Market Harborough (X3)

• PORTHMADOG TO MARKET HARBOROUGH (ARRIVA ONLY):
Porthmadog to Bangor (1/1NS)
Bangor to Llandudno (5/X5)
Llandudno to Rhyl (12)
Rhyl to Denbigh (51/52)
Denbigh to Wrexham (X51)
Wrexham to Oswestry (2/2A)
Oswestry to Shrewsbury (576)
Shrewsbury to Telford (X4/X5)
Telford to Stafford (5)
Stafford to Lichfield (825)
Lichfield to Tamworth (765/X65)
Tamworth to Nuneaton (65)
Nuneaton to Leicester (158)
Leicester to Market Harborough (X3)

So i imagine this is probably the furthest that you can travel entirely on Arriva buses.

 

[Robertj21a]

Many thanks for all the replies so far.

Yes indeed. I have just looked it up and it is indeed possible to travel from Pwllheli to Market Harborough entirely on Arriva buses. In fact you can get slightly further. It is possible to get from both Holyhead to Market Harborough and from Porthmadog to Market Harborough entirely by Arriva buses.

This is how you could do the journeys:

• HOLYHEAD TO MARKET HARBOROUGH (ARRIVA ONLY):
Holyhead to Bangor (4/4A/4B/X4)
Bangor to Llandudno (5/X5)
Llandudno to Rhyl (12)
Rhyl to Denbigh (51/52)
Denbigh to Wrexham (X51)
Wrexham to Oswestry (2/2A)
Oswestry to Shrewsbury (576)
Shrewsbury to Telford (X4/X5)
Telford to Stafford (5)
Stafford to Lichfield (825)
Lichfield to Tamworth (765/X65)
Tamworth to Nuneaton (65)
Nuneaton to Leicester (158)
Leicester to Market Harborough (X3)

• PORTHMADOG TO MARKET HARBOROUGH (ARRIVA ONLY):
Porthmadog to Bangor (1/1NS)
Bangor to Llandudno (5/X5)
Llandudno to Rhyl (12)
Rhyl to Denbigh (51/52)
Denbigh to Wrexham (X51)
Wrexham to Oswestry (2/2A)
Oswestry to Shrewsbury (576)
Shrewsbury to Telford (X4/X5)
Telford to Stafford (5)
Stafford to Lichfield (825)
Lichfield to Tamworth (765/X65)
Tamworth to Nuneaton (65)
Nuneaton to Leicester (158)
Leicester to Market Harborough (X3)

So i imagine this is probably the furthest that you can travel entirely on Arriva buses.

The 3 from Pwllheli can start off the trip before Porthmadog.

 

[Darklord8899]

Edinburgh to Thurso (Stagecoach) around 265 miles
Edinburgh - Carlise (Borders Buses) around 100 miles
Edinburgh - Berwick - Wooler (Borders Buses) around 74 miles

Don't know how these compare to some of the other suggestions...

 

[mlambeuk]

Scarborough to Berwick (Arriva)
Whitby to Manchester (Tansdev)

 

[swt class 450]

I have managed to find an additional Stagecoach bus (274) from Scrabster to Bettyhill to further extend my previous Wrexham to Scrabster suggestion.

WREXHAM TO BETTYHILL (STAGECOACH ONLY):
Wrexham to Chester (5)
Chester to Liverpool (1/2/X8)
Liverpool to Preston (X2)
Preston to Lancaster (40/40A)
Lancaster to Keswick (555)
Keswick to Carlisle (554)
Carlisle to Dumfries (79)
Dumfries to Edinburgh (101/101S/102/102S)
Edinburgh to Perth (X56)
Perth to Aberdeen (X7)
Aberdeen to Inverness (10/10A/10B)
Inverness to Scrabster (X98/X99)
Scrabster to Bettyhill (274)

This is definitely the longest distance entirely on one bus operator so far.

Am i correct in thinking that Tiverton to Newport is the longest journey that can be done entirely using First buses? Or is the previous suggestion of Edinburgh to Balloch a longer distance?

 

[Strathclyder]

First: 38 Edinburgh to Stirling, B12 Stirling to Balfron, B10 Balfron to Glasgow, 1 Glasgow to Balloch.

First's 1B (Glasgow - Helensburgh) has the edge on the 1/1A to Balloch distance-wise (both are part of the same group of services). If one were to stick with First Glasgow by itself, Shotts to Helensburgh is doable:

• Shotts to Motherwell (266)
• Motherwell to Glasgow (X11)
• Glasgow to Helensburgh (1B)

The 915 from Glasgow Buchanan Bus Station to Uig (run under the Scottish Citylink brand by Shiel Buses & West Coast Motors) is also worth a mention even though it might not strictly qualify for this thread, given it's dual-operator, one brand status. Two buses a day in the Glasgow-Uig direction, one in the Uig-Glasgow direction (another starts at Portree). 232 miles and over 6 hours all told. Not a journey I'd do unless I had to, even with the high-quality coaches each operator utilize in mind.

 

[Darklord8899]

I have managed to find an additional Stagecoach bus (274) from Scrabster to Bettyhill to further extend my previous Wrexham to Scrabster suggestion.

WREXHAM TO BETTYHILL (STAGECOACH ONLY):
Wrexham to Chester (5)
Chester to Liverpool (1/2/X8)
Liverpool to Preston (X2)
Preston to Lancaster (40/40A)
Lancaster to Keswick (555)
Keswick to Carlisle (554)
Carlisle to Dumfries (79)
Dumfries to Edinburgh (101/101S/102/102S)
Edinburgh to Perth (X56)
Perth to Aberdeen (X7)
Aberdeen to Inverness (10/10A/10B)
Inverness to Scrabster (X98/X99)
Scrabster to Bettyhill (274)

This is definitely the longest distance entirely on one bus operator so far.

Am i correct in thinking that Tiverton to Newport is the longest journey that can be done entirely using First buses? Or is the previous suggestion of Edinburgh to Balloch a longer distance?

Ok I didn't know enough about Stagecoach South of the border to work out from Wrexham to Edinburgh

 

[Man of Kent]

I have managed to find an additional Stagecoach bus (274) from Scrabster to Bettyhill to further extend my previous Wrexham to Scrabster suggestion.

WREXHAM TO BETTYHILL (STAGECOACH ONLY):
Wrexham to Chester (5)
Chester to Liverpool (1/2/X8)
Liverpool to Preston (X2)
Preston to Lancaster (40/40A)
Lancaster to Keswick (555)
Keswick to Carlisle (554)
Carlisle to Dumfries (79)
Dumfries to Edinburgh (101/101S/102/102S)
Edinburgh to Perth (X56)
Perth to Aberdeen (X7)
Aberdeen to Inverness (10/10A/10B)
Inverness to Scrabster (X98/X99)
Scrabster to Bettyhill (274)

This is definitely the longest distance entirely on one bus operator so far.

Am i correct in thinking that Tiverton to Newport is the longest journey that can be done entirely using First buses? Or is the previous suggestion of Edinburgh to Balloch a longer distance?

I have managed to find an additional Stagecoach bus (274) from Scrabster to Bettyhill to further extend my previous Wrexham to Scrabster suggestion.

WREXHAM TO BETTYHILL (STAGECOACH ONLY):
Wrexham to Chester (5)
Chester to Liverpool (1/2/X8)
Liverpool to Preston (X2)
Preston to Lancaster (40/40A)
Lancaster to Keswick (555)
Keswick to Carlisle (554)
Carlisle to Dumfries (79)
Dumfries to Edinburgh (101/101S/102/102S)
Edinburgh to Perth (X56)
Perth to Aberdeen (X7)
Aberdeen to Inverness (10/10A/10B)
Inverness to Scrabster (X98/X99)
Scrabster to Bettyhill (274)

This is definitely the longest distance entirely on one bus operator so far.

Am i correct in thinking that Tiverton to Newport is the longest journey that can be done entirely using First buses? Or is the previous suggestion of Edinburgh to Balloch a longer distance?

For First, try Southwold-Lowestoft-Great Yarmouth-Norwich-Peterborough, which is around 120 miles. Tiverton-Newport options are around 85 miles, and Balloch-Edinburgh about 10 miles less than that.

 

[Andyh82]

Scarborough to Berwick on Arriva North East

Wetherby to Warrington on First

Whitby or Scarborough to Manchester or Preston with Transdev

Sunderland to Chester with Stagecoach

 

[Gingerbus1991]

Does using Stagecoach and Parks of Hamilton under the Citylink Guise count?

You could do Aberdeen to Belfast via Glasgow?

 

[Flying Snail]

Does using Stagecoach and Parks of Hamilton under the Citylink Guise count?

You could do Aberdeen to Belfast via Glasgow?

Glasgow - Belfast is operated by Ulsterbus and it is a shipside service not a through one.

 

[richw]

HORSHAM TO PLYMOUTH (STAGECOACH ONLY):
Horsham to Brighton (17)
Brighton to Havant (700)
Havant to Petersfield (37)
Petersfield to Winchester (67)
Winchester to Andover (85)
Andover to Ludgershall (8)
Ludgershall to Swindon (80)
Swindon to Cheltenham (51)
Cheltenham to Gloucester (10/93/94/94U/97/98/N94)
Gloucester to Bristol (60)
Bristol to Plymouth (FALCON)

Add a few extra miles and go Plymouth to Saltash on the 2/2A
Or Plymouth to Tavistock on the 1?

Or in fact jump off Falcon in Exeter and catch the stagecoach service Exeter to Bude which is a lot further than Exeter to Plymouth/saltash/ Tavistock

 

[Busaholic]

Does using Stagecoach and Parks of Hamilton under the Citylink Guise count?

You could do Aberdeen to Belfast via Glasgow?

They have enough problems on the railway with a bit of excess sea water at Dawlish during a Spring Tide, not sure what it would do to the business end of a coach in the St George's Channel

 

[Gingerbus1991]

They have enough problems on the railway with a bit of excess sea water at Dawlish during a Spring Tide, not sure what it would do to the business end of a coach in the St George's Channel

Just make the “subject to swimming ability” small print larger before you sell the ticket.

 

[embers25]

Linking two options together you can do Bude-Bury St Edmunds/Kings Lynn by Stagecoach.

 

[Journeyman]

What's the farthest you can go on one ticket? I like a challenge.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Linking two options together you can do Bude-Bury St Edmunds/Kings Lynn by Stagecoach.

So using the Falcon (that I'd discounted as a coach service but it does have local bus registrations on sections so no different from the X5), you reckon it's...

6 Bude - Exeter
FLCN Exeter - Bristol
62 Bristol - Dursley
61 Dursley - Stroud
66 Stroud - Cheltenham
51 Cheltenham - Swindon
S6 Swindon - Oxford
X5 Oxford - Milton Keynes
X7 Milton Keynes - Northampton
X4 Northampton - Peterborough
37 Peterborough - Spalding
505 Spalding - Kings Lynn

You can do the Stroud to Swindon quicker by cutting off the corner with the very occasional Stroud to Cirencester route and getting to Swindon that way. From Oxford, there are also options to go

Oxford - Banbury - Daventry - Northampton
Oxford - Banbury - Brackley - Towcester - Northampton
Oxford - St Neots - Huntingdon - Peterborough

 

[Statto]

What's the farthest you can go on one ticket? I like a challenge.

Stagecoach North West Explorer
As above Wrexham to Carlisle, then 685 Carlisle-Newcastle

North East Explorer or Arriva North East day ticket
Scarborough to Berwick

 

[Busaholic]

What's the farthest you can go on one ticket? I like a challenge.

I'd say that depends on your age (and where you live) or, alternatively, if you work for one of the operators.

 

[Darklord8899]

Does using Stagecoach and Parks of Hamilton under the Citylink Guise count?

You could do Aberdeen to Belfast via Glasgow?

The OP said not including coach services, just registered local bus services

 

[swt class 450]

I think that the furthest you can travel on just one ticket is indeed probably from Wrexham to Dumfries or from Wrexham to Newcastle (i am not sure which is further) which are both done by using the £11.30 Stagecoach North West One Day Explorer bus ticket.

As far as i am aware i don't think there is any ticket (except staff passes and ENCTS passes of course) that allows travel on travel on all Arriva buses in the UK or on all First buses in the UK or on all Stagecoach buses in the UK? Unless anyone knows otherwise?

If you are allowing travel on multiple bus operators than there may be a ticket that allows you to travel even further. I cant think of one off the top of my head at the moment though. On the old Explorer ticket (before it was withdrawn and replaced by the Discovery ticket a few years ago) you could travel all the way from Dover to Exeter on one ticket. Bus operators were allowed to charge whatever they wanted (at the time of its withdrawal some charged as low as £4.80 whilst others charged as high as £8.80 for it) and over 40 bus operators (possibly even more) accepted it so it allowed very cheap travel across long distances. The new Discovery ticket is nowhere near as good or widely accepted and is much more expensive.

 

[40145 Panther]

On a single FirstDay ticket, Warrington to Huddersfield. This is done by catching a 100 to Manchester city centre, changing for the scenic 184 route to Huddersfield.

The longest journey one could make on an independent operator in Greater Manchester could be Denshaw to Glossop, via Stott's Tours' buses. Hence:

• 407: Denshaw to Oldham;
• 343: Oldham - Mossley - Hyde;
• 341: Hyde - Mottram - Broadbottom - Glossop.

On MCT Travel services, Shaw to Manchester, hence:

• 408: Shaw - Oldham;
• 159: Oldham - Chadderton;
• 419: Chadderton - Ashton-under-Lyne;
• 217: Ashton-under-Lyne - Manchester (via Droylsden, Clayton, and Bradford).

Alternatively you could change at Ashton for the 387 to Hyde (via Stalybridge, Mottram-in-Longdendale, and Hattersley).

 

[swt class 450]

What is the furthest that can be travelled entirely on Go Ahead buses?

The furthest i have found so far is Eastbourne to Harlow which is as follows:

• EASTBOURNE TO HARLOW (GO AHEAD ONLY):
Eastbourne to Brighton (12/12A/12X/13X)
Brighton to Crawley (270/271/272/273)
Crawley to Redhill (100)
Redhill to Croydon (405)
Croydon to Morden (154)
Morden to Brixton (118)
Brixton to Elephant & Castle (35)
Elephant & Castle to Trafalgar Square (453)
Trafalgar Square to Blackwall (15)
Blackwall to Canning Town (115)
Canning Town to Romford (5)
Romford to Harlow (575)

I have also just found some other long distance journeys entirely on Arriva buses:

• EPSOM TO BRAINTREE (ARRIVA ONLY):
Epsom to Croydon (166)
Croydon to Elephant & Castle (468)
Elephant & Castle to London Bridge (133)
London Bridge to Seven Sisters (149)
Seven Sisters to Waltham Cross (279)
Waltham Cross to Harlow (86)
Harlow to Stansted Airport (508/509/510)
Stansted Airport to Braintree (133)

• EPSOM TO MILTON KEYNES (ARRIVA ONLY):
Epsom to Croydon (166)
Croydon to Elephant & Castle (468)
Elephant & Castle to London Bridge (133)
London Bridge to Seven Sisters (149)
Seven Sisters to Waltham Cross (279)
Waltham Cross to Hertford (310)
Hertford to St Albans (724)
St Albans to Luton (321)
Luton to Milton Keynes (F70)

• EPSOM TO OXFORD (ARRIVA ONLY):
Epsom to Croydon (166)
Croydon to Elephant & Castle (468)
Elephant & Castle to London Bridge (133)
London Bridge to Seven Sisters (149)
Seven Sisters to Waltham Cross (279)
Waltham Cross to Hertford (310)
Hertford to Watford (724)
Watford to Aylesbury (500)
Aylesbury to Oxford (280/X8)

• EPSOM TO READING (ARRIVA ONLY):
Epsom to Croydon (166)
Croydon to Elephant & Castle (468)
Elephant & Castle to London Bridge (133)
London Bridge to Seven Sisters (149)
Seven Sisters to Waltham Cross (279)
Waltham Cross to Hertford (310)
Hertford to Watford (724)
Watford to Aylesbury (500)
Aylesbury to High Wycombe (300/X30)
High Wycombe to Reading (800/850)

Although i presume that the Holyhead to Market Harborough journey is still a bit further than any of these journeys?