Stagecoach has announced that the first of its new overnight sleepercoach routes between Scotland and London, a joint venture between Stagecoach and ComfortDelGro, will begin operating in July.
The first new megabusGold service – which will serve Aberdeen, Dundee, Perth, Cumbernauld and London – starts on July 8, providing overnight services every day of the week.
Stagecoach announced in April it would introduce a network of overnight sleepercoach services to link London with Aberdeen, Aviemore, Cumbernauld Dundee, Dunfermline Edinburgh, Falkirk, Ferrytoll park and ride in Fife, Glasgow, Inverness and Perth. All of the new overnight megabusGold routes will be launched this summer, with detailed start dates for each service to be confirmed over the next few weeks.
The new services all operate using a fleet of 10 specially designed double-deck Van Hools with 53 leather seats which can be converted into 42 lie-flat beds. The coaches also carry free WiFi, power sockets and a toilet. Customers using the overnight service receive complimentary refreshments during their journey as well as a sleeper kit which includes an eye mask, a toothbrush and toothpaste. In addition, as a pilot, passengers will also be given a choice of a blanket or a onesie to sleep in during their journey.
Prices range from £15 to £60 and the services will operate seven days a week.
The launch of the new sleepercoach network follows the huge success of a pilot route between Glasgow and London using refurbished vehicles fitted with bunk beds. The trial received positive feedback from customers with the majority saying they will use the service again and recommend it to friends.
Elizabeth Esnouf, MD of Stagecoach’s UK Coach division, said: “We know there are lots of people who are keen to try these new services and we look forward to welcoming passengers on board when they get underway this summer.
“Our sleepercoach vehicles are the first of their kind in the world and we’re excited to be using them to provide a great value, comfortable service for our customers which will allow them to go to bed in one city and wake up in another.”
