National Express and Motorway Service Areas

[Goatboy]

Chaps,

I notice that some Nat Ex services are timetabled to arrive and depart from Motorway service areas.

Is it possible to begin or end a journey at these destinations? If so, how does one buy a ticket as it doesn't seem to let you buy one to, say, Gordano Services even though many services are timetabled to call there.

 

[scotsman]

I highly doubt NX can/will sell fares for these journeys. There's no designated bus stops at these locations, and NX have a duty of care - if someone arrives/departs from an MSA by public transport, it could be reasonably be expected that they don't have access to a car.

 

[overthewater]

What of someone it getting picked up? or taxi? or just walking over?

I've always wonder why Megabus doesn't add in Northampton service station to the Scottish service to allow direct access to Northamptonshire.

 

[Statto]

Probably because there's no public pedestrian access to motorway service stations from normal roads, the public access is normally from motorways, oddly though Stagecoach Express do schedule some routes to serve motorway service stations, old X61 Manchester-Cleveleys was timetables to stop at one of the Bolton service stations.

The reason National Express stop motorway service stations is to give there drivers a mandatory break.

 

[pitdiver]

You can book a ticket from Toddington Services on the M1 on the 2359 departure to Inverness. It then stops at Milton Keynes Coachway.

 

[WatcherZero]

Motorway services are supposed to be non-pedestrian/local road accessible as part of their license agreement so they don't compete with local businesses.

 

[Liam]

Citylink and M8 Express services stop at Harthill Services. It's a park and ride for Glasgow and Edinburgh. Local buses stop in one car park next to the express bus stops, there is no connection from the car park to the motorway service area. The google maps imagery is out of date unfortunately.

 

[Goatboy]

I highly doubt NX can/will sell fares for these journeys. There's no designated bus stops at these locations, and NX have a duty of care - if someone arrives/departs from an MSA by public transport, it could be reasonably be expected that they don't have access to a car.

Or they are connecting to other services or being picked up or collected by car (The latter was what I was trying to achieve with this particular query!).

 

[pitdiver]

Or they are connecting to other services or being picked up or collected by car (The latter was what I was trying to achieve with this particular query!).

See below


http://coach.nationalexpress.com/nxbooking/journey-list

 

[Bletchleyite]

What of someone it getting picked up? or taxi? or just walking over?

I've always wonder why Megabus doesn't add in Northampton service station to the Scottish service to allow direct access to Northamptonshire.

Probably the same reason they don't often serve MK, namely that it would force them to use the M1, whereas if they don't they can go on the M40, A1M etc if congestion requires this.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Probably because there's no public pedestrian access to motorway service stations from normal roads

Actually there sometimes is. What there pretty much never is is public *vehicular* access, because that would turn it into an unofficial junction so it isn't permitted.

Then you've got the sites (often newer ones) sited off the motorway and thus accessible to everyone by whatever mode.

 

[WatcherZero]

I was at keele university, for those in keele village the service station is the closest shop/restaurant with extended opening hours. There was a country lane with a 5 minute walk that went from Keele to the service station and it was supposed to be blocked with a padlocked gate-barrier but for many years it was left open and locals used it as a bypass to the motorway shaving several miles and around 20 minute drive. Eventually however the service station realised and the road was sealed again.

 

[IanD]

​

What of someone it getting picked up? or taxi? or just walking over?

I've always wonder why Megabus doesn't add in Northampton service station to the Scottish service to allow direct access to Northamptonshire.

Rothersthorpe/Northampton Services used to be a pick/up drop off for some Nat Express services when I lived in Northampton in the early 90s, just after the A43 was diverted to pass under the M1 at Junction 15a. Unfortunately, there were no connecting buses in to the town.

Also, when organising company coach outings, we often pick up at Newport Pagnell services with people parking outside and walking in - very handy for me being a 5/6 minute drive away. Cheaper than the £20 each way to officially pick up at Milton Keynes Coachway - although that is also very handy for me being a 5/6 minute drive away.

 

[scotsman]

Or they are connecting to other services or being picked up or collected by car (The latter was what I was trying to achieve with this particular query!).

Duty of care to passengers. Don't drop them somewhere where there's no safe access on foot.

 

[Deerfold]

Megabus sell tickets to and from Woolley Edge Services on the M1 near Wakefield.

 

[snowball]

Most motorway service areas have back entrances which connect with a local road other than the motorway. They are theoretically for staff use only (or in some cases for access to/from a lodge on the other side of the motorway) but some are widely ignored. Some are equipped with barriers but sometimes the barriers are normlly left open.

 

[mirodo]

Most motorway service areas have back entrances which connect with a local road other than the motorway. They are theoretically for staff use only (or in some cases for access to/from a lodge on the other side of the motorway) but some are widely ignored. Some are equipped with barriers but sometimes the barriers are normlly left open.

Indeed. Diamond Geezer wrote about this (with specific reference to London Gateway services) on his blog on Sunday.

 

[vicbury]

Pease Pottage services seem to have a direct pedestrian route to them. But then again whilst serving the M23 they are accessed off the B2114 at Junction 11 so therefore aren't a motorway service area in the strictest sense.

 

[TUC]

Or they are connecting to other services or being picked up or collected by car (The latter was what I was trying to achieve with this particular query!).

Duty of care to passengers. Don't drop them somewhere where there's no safe access on foot.

Except that if it's for passengers returning to where they've parked their car or being collected, there is safe access.