'Greyhound' brand to launch in UK

[jamesontheroad]

Following its acquisition of the American corporation Laidlaw, First Group is to introduce the famous American brand 'Greyhound' to a network of intercity coaches here in the UK!

http://www.marketingweek.co.uk/greyhound-bus-brand-set-for-uk-launch/3003453.article

Announcement due tomorrow Wednesday 19 August. BBC Radio 4 mentioned it earlier today, will be featured on (I think) 'You and Yours', 12:00 - 13:00 on Wednesday.

An interesting move, since anyone who has actually been on a Greyhound bus in the States or Canada will probably attest that it's not a particularly desirable brand... perhaps it'll build a better rep here in the UK where people have a more romanticised notion of what a Greyhound bus might be like.

If they import some American-built streamliners, I'd be interested...

 

[Aictos]

Well as long as First staff get reduced tickets seeing as we're all part of the big happy First family,

 

[GB]

Do you get a discount on the current First Group busses then?

 

[Mojo]

I wonder how this might affect First's operations of National Express coaches. Seems strange given that various First companies operate many National Express routes, although I suppose Stagecoach also have quite a few National Express franchises and they also run Megabus.

 

[Aictos]

Do you get a discount on the current First Group buses then?

Yes, we're entitled to so many discounted trips a year where we pay a small fee and we can use the ticket* all week where ever in the UK, First operate buses except London where we can't use it.

Having said that though, there are local arrangements in which you can enjoy the odd freebie providing you have a current First pass and speak to the driver before departure.

*It's a weekly ticket, much like Stagecoaches MegaRider but more value for money!

Still the travel perks are one reason why I would have trouble leaving First!

 

[Oswyntail]

Heard this on the radio news this morning. First (and second) thought was "Someone has not researched the market". The route mentioned was London-Portsmouth, not exactly poorly provided train wise, and too short, IMHO, for coach travel which would be severely hampered by congestion for at least a third of its journey. And then the statement that there is not much coach travel provided in Britain....

 

[jamesontheroad]

Heard this on the radio news this morning. First (and second) thought was "Someone has not researched the market". The route mentioned was London-Portsmouth, not exactly poorly provided train wise, and too short, IMHO, for coach travel which would be severely hampered by congestion for at least a third of its journey. And then the statement that there is not much coach travel provided in Britain....

Could have been worse. They could have tried to muscle in on the London / Oxford route

I seriously think they're missing a trick. The emphasis seems to be on the Greyhound 'brand' and not the Greyhound experience. I don't mean the slow, cheap American form of transit, but the fact that big American coaches are far more comfortable than British and European built models. Import some of them, maybe pitch some 2+1 seating in and go for a premium intercity bus market: don't chase Megabus to the bottom.

 

[gordonthemoron]

I seriously think they're missing a trick. The emphasis seems to be on the Greyhound 'brand' and not the Greyhound experience. I don't mean the slow, cheap American form of transit, but the fact that big American coaches are far more comfortable than British and European built models. Import some of them, maybe pitch some 2+1 seating in and go for a premium intercity bus market: don't chase Megabus to the bottom.

aren't the US ones left hand drive?

 

[jamesontheroad]

aren't the US ones left hand drive?

Yep, but First (eventually) managed to bring some RHD yellow buses over. Most coaches are built off readily adaptable chassis sold in both RHD and LHD markets. Even if a British manufacturer were to consider a more 'American' feel, looking specifically at the comfort level, rather than just installing leather seats and expecting that to make them more comfortable (as on some National Express bus routes).

 

[LondonLarry]

Could have been worse. They could have tried to muscle in on the London / Oxford route

I seriously think they're missing a trick. The emphasis seems to be on the Greyhound 'brand' and not the Greyhound experience. I don't mean the slow, cheap American form of transit, but the fact that big American coaches are far more comfortable than British and European built models. Import some of them, maybe pitch some 2+1 seating in and go for a premium intercity bus market: don't chase Megabus to the bottom.

Will they also come with the same fuel efficency and emissions levels as the US coaches?!?

 

[jamesontheroad]

Depending on the state, US emissions regs are generally tighter than those in the EU; hence why diesels have taken so long to penetrate the passenger car market there.

Place-holder website is up... same new look branding as Greyhound uses in the USA and Canada: http://www.greyhounduk.com/
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Full press release, with links to vehicle images: http://www.firstgroup.com/corporate/latest_news/?id=002371

 

[First ScotRail]

Anyone know the font that is used for the, Greyhound has landed bit on the site?

 

[jamesontheroad]

Anyone know the font that is used for the, Greyhound has landed bit on the site?

Almost certainly an in-house special. Marketing Week reported a fancy design agency had been given the contract to design everything for the new service, so to make copyright management etc easier it's almost certainly a unique one owned by the company.

 

[First ScotRail]

Found it! FS Sophie. Smart Creative designed the new identity in association with Laurence and Pierce and First Marketing Manager - Avil Gill.

 

[gordonthemoron]

might it not be better for the coaches to terminate at the edge of London, by a train station, rather than struggle through london traffic?

whenever I've gotten a coach from Nottingham to London, I always get off a Golders Green as it's quicker to continue by tube

 

[chic]

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/transport/article6801505.ece

and

http://www.greyhounduk.com/

has more info,I think the coaches are scania, not sure on the body type.

 

[90019]

has more info,I think the coaches are scania, not sure on the body type.

Irizar PB, I think.

 

[TrainBrain185]

Australia have also operated coaches under the Greyhound name for a number of years too. Some of the earlier coach examples built on Leyland and Hino chassis had bodywork fitted which had the typical American theme of design.
I have rode quite a few of the numerous MCI D4500 coaches, though not operated by Greyhound and save to say, they are a great vehicle, though not great in the design department, they are very comfortable and quiet inside. Greyhound UK? Could well be a hit

 

[F Great Eastern]

They're Irizar PB's with Wifi, Free newspapers and Plug Sockets.

 

[jamesontheroad]

They're Irizar PB's with Wifi, Free newspapers and Plug Sockets.

Cunning. The newspaper industry is such decline right now that I'm sure they've been able to negotiate free or nearly-free bulk volume of daily newspapers, similar to what some of the airlines do or used to do. Nice added value touch.

Looking far far ahead, I wonder where we might see Greyhound go next. I didn't know until recently that First Glasgow had acquired Silver Choice Coaches and their overnight London/Glasgow & London/Edinburgh buses. Could be a contender for the Greyhound treatment if they consider it suitable for longer routes, that extra legroom would surely be appreciated on that horrendous overnight slog up the M6...

 

[LondonLarry]

I don't think First have done their research properly for their trial routes. They're clearly trying to compete with Stagecoach. There's already satuaration of services between Portsmouth and London - SWT, Southern, Megabus, National Express (if they still operate a service!).

The journey time is a bit optimistic too at 1hr 59min on both routes. It's clearly marketed as a sub-2hr journey but wonder if it'll be achieved with traffic not only in London but also within Southampton and on the A3 at Hindhead. If you had the option between an unpredictable journey time of around 2hrs by coach or 1hr 40min by train, I know I'd choose the train any day!

 

[mbonwick]

Sounds suspiciously like a warning shot across the bows of Stagecoach's Goldline services.....

 

[anthony263]

I think that this may be a reason why megabus are expanding their network.

some new services being introduced are:

Swansea - Cardiff - Birmingham - Newcastle

extra trips on cardiff - london route.

 

[LondonLarry]

I wonder if First plan to put a bid in for National Express Group - they'd have a ready made long distance coach network then! It was reported in the press that Stagecoach might put a bid in for NEG so First would have some competition!

 

[mbonwick]

Stagecoach are seriously considering a bid for NatEx, they have until September to decide.

First Group said that they weren't interested a while back - although this could have changed.

 

[Aussie_Rail]

Why on Earth are Greyhound Coaches establishing themselves in the UK? Is there a demand for road coach services? Will they operated rail replacements?

Greyhound currently operate in Australia as mentioned earlier, with a pretty extensive network covering an area the size of Europe.

They are popular for people who live in regional areas and backpackers. Ideally they are very valuable in Australia as outback travel like that has few options.

But to operate in the UK I can't see how there is a demand as they would be competing with existing operators and rail services.

http://www.greyhound.com.au/

 

[TrainBrain185]

Hi Aussie Rail, yep, we are a small country compared to yours, but the nature of the game in the UK is competition, a concept which supposed to keep prices down and offer value for money, so even if we have 3 or 4 operators fighting on a route, there will room for a 5th and the fittest will survive. some say it works, some say it does not.
Over recent years, Greyhound USA have been encountering more the way of competition of some of their core services particularly into NYC, one venture in particular by the name of "Megabus".....now who is behind that??? :roll:

 

[gingerheid]

Well, competition doesn't do anyone any harm*

* In the short term.

 

[Aussie_Rail]

Well, competition doesn't do anyone any harm*

* In the short term.

It doesn't, but when one becomes too widespread and developed and starts to buy out the competition, then it starts to get a bit one sided and kills the competition and then you have to pay what ever they like.

Having competition benefits the passenger as in some cases it gives them a choice as to who they might want to travel with.

 

[jamesontheroad]

Having competition benefits the passenger as in some cases it gives them a choice as to who they might want to travel with.

Unless we're talking about 'competition' in the UK bus and train industry, in which companies compete to win a franchise, and then have exclusivity for the duration of that franchise. Bus and train deregulation was sold on the promise of greater competition = lower fares, but from where I live in the south side of Glasgow to the city centre, all my bus and train services are provided by one company: First Group. :roll: