Megabus Sleeper service to end

[radamfi]

This has been posted in the service information part of the Megabus site. I wonder what will happen to the coaches.

http://uk.megabus.com/ServiceAdvisory.aspx?id=494&home=true#

megabusgold.com has confirmed that our overnight sleepercoach services between Scotland and London will cease to operate from 21 May 2017.

The services - which launched in 2013 - represented an innovative and new travel product and have helped provide a value-for-money long-distance transport option over the past four years.

While the services have proved popular with a loyal core base of customers, unfortunately the overall level of demand has been below the level required for us to be able to continue the routes.

As a result, the final night of operation for our overnight sleepercoach routes across the UK will be 21 May 2017.

We know that this will disappoint people who have enjoyed the service, and this is not a decision we have taken lightly, but unfortunately we have been left with no other option but to discontinue these routes.

 

[Bald Rick]

This explains all you need to know about the economic viability of long distance overnight services in this country.

 

[overthewater]

When it first started, there were at least three different routes. Since last year it was cut back. The problem was if you didnt get the cheap tickets, it wasn't cost effective in the overnight prices wars.

I also didnt understand its operations, Originally beni-coaches were better and meant you were enclosed.

 

[radamfi]

This explains all you need to know about the economic viability of long distance overnight services in this country.

Presumably normal seated overnight services are viable. Both National Express and Megabus run a fairly comprehensive nationwide network of overnight services.

 

[Volvodart]

It was transferred out of the joint venture into wholly Stagecoach ownership a couple of years ago, so that was an indication of how it was doing. The Glasgow/Edinburgh to Aberdeen gold services could do with bigger coaches, so some of them could be used on that.

 

[overthewater]

I have been asked whats the beni-coaches: Its "Bendy coaches OR Articulated coaches: It's how I and few others spelt them.

Here what there looked like

Inside:

Outside:

 

[the101]

This explains all you need to know about the economic viability of long distance overnight services in this country.

It 'explains' nothing of the sort.

 

[Bletchleyite]

That's a shame, I used it once and it was quite good.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

That's a shame, I used it once and it was quite good.

That's the point. You used it ONCE - a lack of regular punters was the problem.

 

[chubs]

I also used it last year to Edinburgh and back and really enjoyed it. It was a lot more comfortable than I had expected. Nice drivers. All berths taken both ways. I'd definitely have used it again if heading to Scotland. There is a certain price point that I wouldn't want to pay for it, but It was under £30 both ways which is a bargain.

 

[Bald Rick]

Presumably normal seated overnight services are viable. Both National Express and Megabus run a fairly comprehensive nationwide network of overnight services.

My apologies. I meant overnight sleeper services, as opposed to seating.

 

[Bald Rick]

I also used it last year to Edinburgh and back and really enjoyed it. It was a lot more comfortable than I had expected. Nice drivers. All berths taken both ways. I'd definitely have used it again if heading to Scotland. There is a certain price point that I wouldn't want to pay for it, but It was under £30 both ways which is a bargain.

You can fly London to Edinburgh in a couple of Fridays time for under £30. Less than £25 if you go in the week.

 

[overthewater]

Also the most expensive Non sleeper ticket on Megabus is £30, the last time I check.

 

[PeterC]

You can fly London to Edinburgh in a couple of Fridays time for under £30. Less than £25 if you go in the week.

Plus an extra night's hotel bill

 

[exile]

Presumably normal seated overnight services are viable. Both National Express and Megabus run a fairly comprehensive nationwide network of overnight services.

Yes indeed, and I'm a regular user! Usually full or nearly so. Not the most comfortable way of spending a night but saves on hotel bills.

 

[the101]

Plus an extra night's hotel bill

A night in a hotel bed, or a night spent on a coach at 62mph on the motorway?

Tricky one, that.

 

[me123]

If you don't have the money, the choice becomes a lot clearer. Not many hotels in London shy of £100pn.

 

[AnonymousUser1]

If you don't have the money, the choice becomes a lot clearer. Not many hotels in London shy of £100pn.

really or are you discounting none central london ( but a relatively modest journey on the tube ) locations in that ?

 

[gordonthemoron]

really or are you discounting none central london ( but a relatively modest journey on the tube ) locations in that ?

depends on day of the week and time of year, September is horrendous probably due to foreign parents taking their kids to Uni

 

[overthewater]

I still surprises the way some people on this forum are so stuck up and fail to gasp people dont have alots of spare cash to spend on hotels B&B etc.

I remember having to travel down to London a few times. If you can only plan trips within a few days you cheap options are limted. I remember to young lads must have been 18/20 and there were going to a funeral, there were traveling down overnight sleeping on the coach, going to the service and wake then catching the next overnight service back up.

Its why Megabus coaches are always full, or have dups. I remember one time during the summer months six London coaches mix of Nat express/Megabus all full.

 

[me123]

really or are you discounting none central london ( but a relatively modest journey on the tube ) locations in that ?

Probably am thinking central London, but can be quite high prices anywhere where the tube goes too. There is a significant price jump anywhere near London compared to most other cities in the UK. Certainly the very cheapest hotels are often of quite a poor standard anyway - I had a last minute stay in London in probably one of the worst hotel rooms I've ever endured for the princely sum of £99.

 

[Bald Rick]

Probably am thinking central London, but can be quite high prices anywhere where the tube goes too. There is a significant price jump anywhere near London compared to most other cities in the UK. Certainly the very cheapest hotels are often of quite a poor standard anyway - I had a last minute stay in London in probably one of the worst hotel rooms I've ever endured for the princely sum of £99.

You can stay tonight, at the Premier Inn Covent Garden, for £76. A decent hotel. Or for the more budget conscious, the Easyhotel in Victoria for £45. Plenty of cheaper options too.

 

[the101]

For the poster who is becoming rather indignant that some people may opt to avoid a night spent on a coach where possible, I can understand those who can't afford a hotel using the overnight service. What I am saying is that it's rather odd for those who can afford a hotel to use it just for the sake of saving a few quid at the expense of a night's sleep that will be either non-existent or absolutely crap. Still, to each their own.

 

[route101]

I have a mate who uses it as he hates flying .
I used the original megabus sleeper which was a bendi bus . More privacy with it being enclosed . In the new buses it looks like theres someone in a hammock above you or beside you . Only really do overnight buses if on the way home as you can go straight to bed

 

[Andyh82]

You can stay tonight, at the Premier Inn Covent Garden, for £76. A decent hotel. Or for the more budget conscious, the Easyhotel in Victoria for £45. Plenty of cheaper options too.

Sunday nights are always cheaper than any other night, as you don't get either midweek business travellers nor people on weekend breaks. I bet tomorrow night is dearer.

 

[AnonymousUser1]

You can stay tonight, at the Premier Inn Covent Garden, for £76. A decent hotel. Or for the more budget conscious, the Easyhotel in Victoria for £45. Plenty of cheaper options too.

indeed there are a number of travelodge and premier inns that are very close to tube or NR lines and a modest journey to centra london that don;t attract the high prices thatthe central london ones doe

 

[Bletchleyite]

You can stay tonight, at the Premier Inn Covent Garden, for £76. A decent hotel. Or for the more budget conscious, the Easyhotel in Victoria for £45. Plenty of cheaper options too.

Sunday nights are just about the cheapest in London (and other big cities) as the weekenders have all gone home but the business travellers don't appear until Monday.

 

[ECML180]

saving a few quid at the expense of a night's sleep that will be either non-existent or absolutely crap.

I don't think that's a fair comment. It's certainly a subjective thing, and for me too it probably would be a bad night, but I know plenty of people who can fall asleep with relative ease who would find it quite convenient.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I don't think that's a fair comment. It's certainly a subjective thing, and for me too it probably would be a bad night, but I know plenty of people who can fall asleep with relative ease who would find it quite convenient.

Indeed. I can't sleep properly[1] unless it's dark, quiet and horizontal. I wish I could sleep well in a seat, it'd save me a fortune.

[1] I have used the Cally 3 times and the Megabus sleeper once, slept better (fitfully) on the latter because the beds are longitudinal, but didn't really go into any of them with an expectation of a proper night's kip, and neither would be any good for a work trip.

 

[higthomas]

Also remember that many of the people who might use the Megabus sleeper might also use youth hostels. I recently found one on a Saturday night for £13 the day before, and they're easy to find below £20, so that changes the equation somewhat.