A Whiffy Way To Go..... (National Express)

Member Name: Squiggles

Product:	National Express
Date:	21/10/01 (196 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Comfortable, Good Value, Fast

Disadvantages: Can feel cramped, Incommunicado neighbour!

All my DooYoo buddies will know that in August I spent a few days with Broksababe (Ana) up in Whitby, and my next op is on the method of transport I chose to get me there!

I travelled with National Express Coaches as they offered the most direct and the cheapest service. Travelling by train would have meant a 6-hour journey with changes at London and would have cost considerably more!

My journey was actually only as far ‘oop narth’ as Scunthorpe; to meet a pal before we set off up to Ana’s together. I travelled from Aylesbury to Scunthorpe, along the M1, the total journey time taking just 3 hours and 20 minutes, and that included a 25-minute refreshment break at Leicester Forest East. My ‘open’ return ticket cost £27 with an additional £1.50 securing fee payable at the time of confirming my return journey. You can also pay an additional 99p fee for insurance, which covers you for up to £500 (property), £10,000 (accidents) and £1 million (Public Liability).

National Express offers a number of ways to book. They have a website (http://www.gobycoach.com) where you can look up times, plan your journey and even book your tickets if you’re happy to pay by either debit or credit card. These are mailed to you free of charge, unless your journey is very imminent in which case you need to collect them at one of the main collection points (usually the bus station you are travelling from) around the country. The website is very user friendly, but can be very slow to load at times. But the details are very clear and written in easy to understand language.

You don’t have to register with the site to make online bookings and search for timetables etc, but if you do, one or two bonuses are on offer. Registration qualifies you for a free Argos Premier Points card and each time you book a journey online costing more than £5, National Express will credit your card. You are also sent details of additions an
d improvements to the site, and any new services available. Plus further bookings are considerably easier as many of your details are stored (except payment details which you will need to input every time you make a booking).

You can also book by telephone (08705 808080) and calls are charged at national rates. I’ve always found the operatives there to be very friendly and incredibly helpful. The coach I wanted to travel back on was actually booked up when I called to confirm, but they were quick to offer alternative times and dates and were more than friendly. Lines are open from 8am to 10pm seven days a week.

The coaches themselves are very comfortable, but you can feel a little cramped. They don’t really have a great deal of leg room, but the seats are comfy enough and you have your own light and air conditioning switches directly overhead. They are also usually fully booked, so if you’re travelling alone, expect to be sat next to a stranger for the whole of the journey. My neighbour wasn’t the chatty type and sat for the entire journey with headphones on and a permanently glazed expression! At least it meant I could read in peace! Most also have curtains at the windows, so if the sun is bothering you, you can pull those back for a nice quiet sleep, assuming your neighbour doesn’t mind! Coaches that are travelling longer distances often have tables between seats too.

Most coaches come equipped with WC facilities at the back, but beware; these are tiny and incredibly cramped. I chose to sit at the back of the coach on my journey up there, big mistake! One father decided his little lad needed to use the loo, and being so young, thought it wise to keep the door open whilst he ‘went’ so Dad could keep an eye on him. I’m not sure what the poor child had been made to eat for his lunch, but the back of the coach was treated to the most foul smell which lingered for some time, it wasn’t p
leasant believe me! My neighbour was even stirred out of her coma long enough to give me, my seat, and all nearby passengers a good spray of cheap perfume! Not sure which was worse to be honest…

If you’re making a very long journey using National Express, they also provide a hostess and trolley to serve you snacks and drinks en route. We weren’t treated to such luxuries, but we were able to stretch our legs and have a coffee at Leicester, when the coach stopped for 25 mins or so. The driver did speak to us over the mic once tho, informed us that if we were so much as a second late back to the coach after our stop, we would be waving goodbye to his exhaust pipe! But he was nice enough, and made sure we all had a helping hand down the steps as we clambered off. (And yes, one old dear was late back, there’s always one isn’t there?)

One thing that did impress me were the times, the coach arrived bang on schedule and we arrived at our destination just a couple of minutes late (thanks to aforementioned crinkly person!) so no delays at all. This despite a bit of a snarl up on the motorway for ten minutes or so.

I was quite impressed, my journey was fairly comfortable, and apart from the rather whiffy pong at one stage, I was able to relax for much of the journey. The air conditioning was superb, so no stuffiness to contend with either. I arrived feeling suitably rested and keen to get on with the rest of my journey. I’d certainly travel with National Express again, so are you listening Ana? Hint Hint ;O)

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