Monday 14, September saw FirstGroup, the United Kingdom-based parent of First Student and First Transit, launch its first Greyhound services in England, between London and the south coast cities of Southampton and Portsmouth.
FirstGroup acquired the Laidlaw school bus and Greyhound coach business in 1997 in a $3.6 billion deal creating the largest school bus company in North America.
The UK Greyhound coaches will be modeled on Greyhound’s “BoltBus”
services that operate in the North East of the USA, offering more space with just 41 leather seats rather than the usual 50 seats, free Wi-Fi and personal power points, air conditioning and complimentary newspapers.
Initially 10%-15% of ticket prices will start at £1, ($1.65) plus a small booking fee for reservations made online. The coaches will be named after women from popular American songs, including Sweet Caroline, Jolene, Barbara Ann and Peggy Sue.
FirstGroup’s main competitor in North America, also a UK-based company, National Express (operating as Durham School Services and Stock Transportation) already operates the leading comprehensive coach network in the UK. National Express responded by increasing their departures to 24 return journeys per day (compared to Greyhound’s 8 return trips) and reducing their lowest fare to just 99p ($1.63).
The UK’s Guardian newspaper reported:
“Greyhound buses are coming to Britain for the first time in their 95-year history, with passengers able to ride the famous American bus between London and the south coast from £1.
Britain's largest bus and train operator, FirstGroup, which bought Greyhound's parent company two years ago, said the buses would start running from London to Portsmouth and Southampton on 14 September. It plans to roll out more routes next year.
"Greyhound has been an icon of American life, carrying millions of people across the US and Canada," said Moir Lockhead, FirstGroup's chief executive. "Since FirstGroup took over Greyhound in 2007, we have hoped to bring this famous brand across the Atlantic. The Greyhound has landed."
FirstGroup hopes to attract business travellers by offering more comfort than its rivals – its Scania Irizar coaches have only 41 seats compared with the usual 50 or so. To tap into that market in the US, the company started BoltBus with Peter Pan Bus Lines last year.
FirstGroup also billed the new service as a green option, saying carbon emissions are 77% less than for journeys made by car.
The Greyhound services, which will run between 5.10am and 9.30pm, will have kerb-side pickups at a number of locations in Portsmouth and Southampton, with all services in London arriving and departing from Victoria. Services will also integrate with Isle of Wight ferry services.”
Greyhound buses transport about 25 million passengers to more than 2,300 destinations each year.”
