UK coach operator, National Express, says it is in discussion with government that could see dedicated express lanes for business travel.
Despite the concept being in its infancy, National Express is examining the possibility of opening up its network to a business service, along the lines of its subsidiary, Alsa, in Spain, that has seen premium coach travel established on trunk routes such as Madrid-Bilbao.
As a stand-alone business service, the new idea could encompass 2+1 configuration, leather seating and meals but the operator is keen to address an obvious drawback to its idea ” the notoriously congested UK motorway system.
Speaking to ABTN, National Express communications manager, Bryan Bannister, said: ”We need to work closely with the UK government and the Highways Agency to ensure that we are well represented as high occupancy vehicle lanes are being considered. If coach travel is good enough for David Beckham and Thierry Henri, then it can be good enough for others. Why not travel like them?”
Bannister pointed out that the new generation of coaches, as distinct to buses, represented a great leap forward in terms of comfort and could be modified. ”We have started to introduce a new range of vehicles such as the PB Irazar and we will ask our customers what configuration they might like.
”We can see the Spanish model in operation and we could potentially operate that today.”
Examples of premium service that Alsa offers in its coaches are: 37 seats, double spaced; catering; ten TVs; reclining leather seats; VIP rooms in a number of stations; daily newspapers and magazines; 220W electricity outlet at every seat and four audio/video channels.
The UK has seen great controversy over the decision to keep one lane of the M4 near Heathrow dedicated to coaches and taxis.