Greyhound uk

[whole diary]

[JayMac]

Anyone in coffee shop land availed themselves of this new service yet? Are there any pre-recorded on-board announcements?!?

[Btline]

Are there any pre-recorded on-board announcements?!?

You beat me to it!

[XPT]

In "BR^▸ (British Rail(ways)) Days"
*Trains in general called at fewer places

I don't doubt you - I'm sure you've done your research - but I must confess I find this particular statement quite surprising.

Could you perhaps give some evidence to support this? And which period of BR's reign in particular are you referring to, just out of interest?

One example I can think of is - In BR days Chippenham didn't get a stop on all BTM^▸ (Bristol Temple Meads (strictly, it should be BRI))-Paddington services.  Now every train stops.   

Chippenham certainly got a stop on many services between Bristol and London Paddington in BR days.   In the early days though it certainly wasn't as frequent as nowadays.    Looking at the 1978 timetable for example during the off-peak daytimes(between 11am and 3pm) it was as few as one train every two hours to London.  Before and after those  hours trains were a little more frequent.    By the 1994 timetable things had improved for Chippenham, with pretty much an hourly service during the day.  Whilst at peak morning and evening times there was an approximately half hour service in each direction.     Also back in BR days some trains stopped at Chippenham and didn't stop at Swindon.

 

[DevonTrains2008]

Could we have a Greyhound Exeter - London?

[JayMac]

After just over three years in operation, First have announced that they are ending the London-South Coast Greyhound services due to low passenger demand. Another First Group road transport division bites the dust.

The South Wales services between Cardiff and Swansea are however continuing.

From greyhounduk.com:

Greyhound Solent Closure

    18th November 2012

It is with regret that we have to announce we will be ending our Greyhound UK^▸ (United Kingdom) services between London and Hampshire and the Isle of Wight on 17th November. Unfortunately, these services are not seeing sufficient passenger numbers and therefore we've reached the difficult decision to withdraw the buses from the routes.

We would like to thank our Solent customers for travelling with Greyhound UK and can assure them that they will continue to enjoy the same quality service right up until we stop operating.

Greyhound UK will continue to operate its successful and popular services between Cardiff and Swansea and will look at any other new opportunities as they arise.

[anthony215]

Also to note  that First are planning a Cardiff - Bristol Airport greyhound service according to information given to members of staff.

Too be fair to First I think they were always going to struggle  running an express coach service from Portsmouth/Southampton - London especially when there is a good number of rail services and also the area is well served by National express.

It isn't a surprise that the south wales service has done well however since it has always been a profitable route seeing as it provdes a direct link from Cardiff/Swansea to Mc Arthur Glen.

[paul7575]

Too be fair to First I think they were always going to struggle  running an express coach service from Portsmouth/Southampton - London especially when there is a good number of rail services and also the area is well served by National express.

Indeed SWT^▸ (South West Trains)'s Megatrain services included both their routes for those looking for bargain prices.  I wonder if (as far as Portsmouth is concerned) they had just been giving it a year to see if it could take advantage of the new Hindhead tunnel on the A3 - or did the Greyhounds run via Fareham/Southampton - another damaging increase in journey time?

Paul

[Brucey]

I've always searched for Greyhound prices on my Portsmouth to London journeys, but rail has always come out cheaper.

Last Wednesday, to London in the morning peak, returning mid-afternoon.  ^20 cheaper for an anytime return on the train (without a railcard), plus the return journey was more flexible.

On the odd occasion I have used National Express, the coaches appear to be 1/3 to 1/2 loaded.

Indeed SWT^▸ (South West Trains)'s Megatrain services included both their routes for those looking for bargain prices.  I wonder if (as far as Portsmouth is concerned) they had just been giving it a year to see if it could take advantage of the new Hindhead tunnel on the A3 - or did the Greyhounds run via Fareham/Southampton - another damaging increase in journey time?

I see Greyhound coaches on the A3(M) near Waterlooville, so I assume they use the A3 into London.

[thetrout]

This is a shame. As much as I can see why they're pulling out due to the competition.

They do offer Free WiFi, Power Sockets and Toilets. Of which the train offers Power Sockets in First Class and Toilets, I guess there is the advantages of refreshments also. But SWT^▸ (South West Trains) don't (Yet) have WiFi which seems to be very popular on other train services.

National Express - Some Coaches do have WiFi provided by T-Mobile and it does work, but you'll often see the "Over Usage Limit" Error. It still works but can be restricted majorly over other Cell Users. They also have Loo's but not Power Sockets.

So I can see how it would've been attractive but perhaps they were too slow/unreliable or not well advertised? Or maybe in the case of Melksham and in occasions Frome, Perhaps nobody wants to travel as the times aren't suitable or the drop off/pickup points too awkward to get to?

As a completely different topic (I do this a lot don't I ). Has anyone used the new(ish) Bristol Flyer Buses? I have very briefly as I boarded at BRI^» (Bristol Temple Meads - next trains) and went to Parson Street as their were no trains, but the vast majority have WiFi (Didn't try it myself) and also Power Sockets! They also accept Bus Passes until 4AM I believe

[Umberleigh]

Could we have a Greyhound Exeter - London?

National Express tried the Rapide service back in the 80's. However, no matter how fast you can get to Outer London it's snail pace thereafter much of the time.

I worked with a chap who takes the NE coach to London once a month but now jumps off at Heathrow, buys a Travelcard and catches the tube into the City. He's not supposed to (Heathrow tickets are more expensive than London) but he told me the delays were often horrendous, and the drivers usually turn a blind eye.