Is this a typical Megabus Experience ?

[Butts]

I travelled from Aberdeen to Ferrytoll recently on a Sunday Evening.

My ticket was booked online and I assumed it was a direct journey, however it turned out to be via Perth.

On arrival at Aberdeen Bus Station it was very confusing as lot's of people were crammed into a small departure area outside which was the boarding area with Megabus, National Express and Scottish Citylink services present.

Confusingly I was put on a Citylink Glasgow service and told to change at Perth. I was given a transfer ticket for use on the 2nd journey. There was no allocated seating but I got a "2" to myself.

I didn't mind the change as I was able to have a quick burn at Perth before the second service arrived.

Again no allocated seating and I was crammed up the back by the bog, annoyingly this seat had no overhead light so I was unable to read.

Ticket cost me £13, and despite the change was as quick as the train.

 

[Stan Drews]

I travelled from Aberdeen to Ferrytoll recently on a Sunday Evening.

My ticket was booked online and I assumed it was a direct journey, however it turned out to be via Perth.

On arrival at Aberdeen Bus Station it was very confusing as lot's of people were crammed into a small departure area outside which was the boarding area with Megabus, National Express and Scottish Citylink services present.

Confusingly I was put on a Citylink Glasgow service and told to change at Perth. I was given a transfer ticket for use on the 2nd journey. There was no allocated seating but I got a "2" to myself.

I didn't mind the change as I was able to have a quick burn at Perth before the second service arrived.

Again no allocated seating and I was crammed up the back by the bog, annoyingly this seat had no overhead light so I was unable to read.

Ticket cost me £13, and despite the change was as quick as the train.

Aye, that sounds relatively typical, particularly for a Sunday evening when services are busy. You're guaranteed a seat, but not a specific seat, on megabus/citylink services.

 

[Liam]

Citylink, Parks of Hamilton and Megabus all operate services on these routes. The basic service pattern is M8/M9 Aberdeen-Glasgow, M90/M91 Inverness-Edinburgh, services meet at Broxden for changes. I think the only direct Aberdeen-Edinburgh are the Citylink Gold services. Might have been better off trying to get a change in Dundee, the M92, most of the time, operates non-stop between Dundee and Kinross, before calling at Ferrytoll (Halbeath from Monday 25th) and Edinburgh.

 

[Butts]

Citylink, Parks of Hamilton and Megabus all operate services on these routes. The basic service pattern is M8/M9 Aberdeen-Glasgow, M90/M91 Inverness-Edinburgh, services meet at Broxden for changes. I think the only direct Aberdeen-Edinburgh are the Citylink Gold services. Might have been better off trying to get a change in Dundee, the M92, most of the time, operates non-stop between Dundee and Kinross, before calling at Ferrytoll (Halbeath from Monday 25th) and Edinburgh.

Thanks for that (both of you) - I wanted to get The Gold but the timing was wrong for me. Is it a lot better ?

Is it always as disorganised at Aberdeen Bus Station ?

 

[Liam]

Thanks for that (both of you) - I wanted to get The Gold but the timing was wrong for me. Is it a lot better ?

Is it always as disorganised at Aberdeen Bus Station ?

Gold is worth it, free scones! Pity there isn't an Edinburgh-Inverness one, you can't board the Glasgow-Inverness at Broxden.

I haven't been to Aberdeen bus station since they built Union Square, so I can't really comment, but the old one was really nothing special.

 

[Butts]

Gold is worth it, free scones! Pity there isn't an Edinburgh-Inverness one, you can't board the Glasgow-Inverness at Broxden.

I haven't been to Aberdeen bus station since they built Union Square, so I can't really comment, but the old one was really nothing special.

Afternoon tea eh ???

Aberdeen Bus Station is fine it's just the muddled boarding procedure and lack of information on the boards. The Q for one service blocks access to the others and to me it was confusing.

I read on another thread that there is a London service from Falkirk, but I have heard that Megabus don't let you off the Bus when it stops whereas Nat Exp has a couple of stops on the way down (handy for a burn)

 

[orpine]

I prefer a journey on NX, but Megabus are definitely more receptive to feedback. If you mention the broken reading light they may even decide to offer you a partial refund; I've had one or two without even asking for it (compared to NX where it's like trying to get blood from a stone despite my journey being delayed by hours).

 

[telstarbox]

Haven't used Megabus north of the border, but Victoria Coach Station departures could definitely be described as 'chaotic'.

Once you're on the coach the level of comfort is generally good, and Megabus services usually arrive on time.

 

[Liam]

I read on another thread that there is a London service from Falkirk, but I have heard that Megabus don't let you off the Bus when it stops whereas Nat Exp has a couple of stops on the way down (handy for a burn)

Thats the sleeper coach, only good if you fancy sharing a bed with a stranger, of the same sex.

 

[overthewater]

Haven't used Megabus north of the border, but Victoria Coach Station departures could definitely be described as 'chaotic'..

Agreed.

Not all journeys between Aberdeen - Edinburgh are Gold:
Every 4 hours its either Gold or a Megabus - ( I believe is provide by Edinburgh coach lines)

http://www.citylink.co.uk/timetables/Winter13/Edin2Aber25N.pdf