National Express Celebrates Centenary
National Express is celebrating the 100th anniversary of the world's first ever express coach service with a nod to the Bristol to London route's inception. In collaboration with Bristol Omnibus Vehicle Collection, National Express arranged for a heritage Bristol Greyhound coach, preserved by Mike Walker, to be joined by a Caetano Levante 3A coach from National Express' partner operator, Edwards Coaches. On 11th February 1925, Greyhound Motors Ltd launched the first once-daily Bristol to London express coach service, departing Bristol's Prince Street at 9am and finishing eight hours later at London Hammersmith Broadway at 5pm.
At the same time a service in the opposite direction launched from London to Bristol. The Greyhound name continued on Bristol Omnibus' long-distance coach services until 1972 when the service operated as National Express.
100 years after the first ever service, the UK's largest scheduled coach operator now has over 30 daily coach services connecting customers between Bristol and the capital, reaching London Earl's Court in just 2 hours 15 minutes and fares starting from just ?4.90 one-way*. In 1925 Greyhound Motor's service cost between 6d (the equivalent of 2.5 pence) for the shortest journey, to 20 shillings (?1) for a return journey between Bristol and London.
Ed Rickard, Network Director for National Express, said: "We're celebrating this significant milestone to recognise that Greyhound Motors made a bold move launching their express coach service 100 years ago, at a time when a return ticket from Bristol to London cost the equivalent of ?1. "In today's money that would be over ?50*, yet here we are today offering more great value services between Bristol and London than any other coach company and demonstrating how those in the know can enjoy frequent and reliable travel compared with other public transport options."
National Express' popular 040 Bristol to London route is operated by Edwards Coaches which is this year also celebrating 100 years since its founders ventured into public transport.
Today, Edwards Coaches operate around 250 vehicles on a diverse portfolio of work including local bus services, home-to-school transport, holiday and tour programmes, private hire, executive contracts and National Express routes. Since 2017 Edwards' National Express routes have been operated out of its Avonmouth-based Bristol depot.
Customers can expect a comfortable experience on board National Express' modern coaches, including reclining leather seats, free wifi on selected services, USB charging and a generous luggage allowance of up to 20kg.
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