Bath MP Don Foster is urging residents to help secure extra coach services to London permanently by trying out National Express’ new seasonal express coaches to the capital.
Following the success of new services last year, the UK’s largest coach operator has now launched an additional five new summer services – four of which are fast coaches to London – as a trial until 8th September.
In a major boost to affordable travel, the four daily London services take people to the city in just two-and-a-half hours, reducing current journey time by thirty minutes.
An additional service departs to Bournemouth daily, giving people in Bath the chance to enjoy a day trip to the popular seaside town.
The new daily seasonal services come after National Express increased the provision of services in Bath by a third in December, a move that has already been popularly received, with hundreds of passenger journeys made daily.
Don Foster believes the new services offer vital affordable transport link and wants to see them run year-round. He joins National Express Managing Director Tom Stables, who lives in Chippenham, in urging people to give the coach a try.
Don Foster MP said: “It is fantastic that National Express have added extra services following the success of their new coaches. I’d love to see these services, particularly the London links, run year-round but as old saying goes, use it or lose it.
“If we want to keep these fast links to London, they need to have proper patronage. I’d encourage people to make sure they consider using the coach when planning their trip so we can continue to benefit from this new link.”
Tom Stables, Managing Director National Express UK Coach added: “Bath is a really important area for us. As well as being my home city, it is a world-class tourist destination and it is therefore vital people can travel to, and from the city affordably. Following the success of the coaches we launched last year, we are trialling additional services, including faster links to London.
“It is our hope we will be able to keep these services on a permanent basis, and potentially also to increase their provision so they run all year. We hope people in Bath get behind these services and we very much look forward to welcoming people onboard.”
Prices from Bath start from £5 one way and £10 return.
To book tickets and for a full list of terms and conditions visit: www.nationalexpress.com; call: 08717 818 178
