Greyhound UK
Greyhound UK was an inter-city bus company from FirstGroup, the parent of Greyhound USA and Greyhound Canada. The service ws marketed more in the style of BoltBus service in the United States and offers fares starting at £1 with a 50p booking fee.[1] Service ended in December of 2015.
History
Since FirstGroup's acquisition of Greyhound in 2007, First has expressed interesting in bringing the Greyhound brand to the United Kingdom.[2] On Wednesday, August 19, 2009, Greyhound UK was unveiled in London, England with coach 23315 on display by Tower Bridge.[1] The service launched on September 14, 2009 with service between London and the two cities of Portsmouth and Southampton.[3]
Routes
Greyhound UK provided hourly, non-stop service between London and Portsmouth and London and Southampton. Coaches picked up and dropped off on Bulleid Way near London's Victoria Railway Station. In Porstmouth, coaches stopped at The Hard Interchange where passengers could connect with local bus services, ferries to the Isle of Wight, and Portsmouth Harbour railway. Another stop in Potsmouth was at the City Centre on Edinburgh Road. In Southampton, the coaches stopped at the Red Funnel Ferry terminal, which serves the Isle of Wight; at the University, on Bassett Avenue near Burgess Road; and at the west Quay Centre, on Castle Street.
On September 20, 2010, Greyhound UK launched service between Cardiff and Swansea in Wales with a stop in Bridgend. Trips operated seven days a week with less trips on weekends.[4] Begining January 10, 2011, Greyhound UK operates service between London and Winchester. They also started overnight service from London to Glasgow.[5]
Fleet
The fleet, like Greyhound USA's 2009 and newer coaches as well as refurbished coaches, featured enhanced seat pitch, wi-fi, power outlets, and leather seats. The coaches were given names with reference to names of women in American songs.[3]
Named buses
23315 - Sweet Caroline
23316 - Mrs. Robinson
23317 - Good Golly Miss Molly
23318 - Mandy
23319 - Sherry
23320 - Billie Jean
23321 - Proud Mary
23322 - Barbara Anne
23323 - Sharona
23324 - Joelene
23325 - Peggy Sue
Current roster
| Fleet number | Thumbnail | Year | Length | Manufacturer | Model | Body | Engine | Transmission | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23205-23207 | 2004 | Volvo | B12B | Plaxton Panther | Volvo D12D | Previously used on National Express contracts | |||
| 23315-23325 | 2005 | 12m | Scania | K114EB | Irizar PB | Scania DC11 |
|
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Iconic Greyhound buses to begin UK services in challenge to National Express coach routes, dailymail.com, retrieved on 2009-08-19
- ↑ FirstGroup Brings Greyhound Buses to U.K., wsj.com, retrieved on 2009-08-21
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 The Greyhound has landed, firstgroup.com, retrieved on 2009-08-19
- ↑ Greyhound under starter's orders in Wales, furstgroup.com, retrieved on 2011-09-21
- ↑ Greyhound under starter's orders in Winchester, furstgroup.com, retrieved on 2011-09-21