Media Centre

New direct coach service from Southampton to London and Heathrow Airport

28 Jan 2010

National Express has announced some of the biggest changes to its Southampton and South Coast coach network in a decade to provide the region with its first direct service to Heathrow Airport, as well as faster services to London. 

The new coach services launch on 1 February with National Express operating 13 fast coach services from its coach station at Harbour Parade to London Hammersmith and Victoria everyday.  Prior to these changes, National Express operated the majority of its London services via Heathrow Airport, which increased the journey time for people just travelling to London. The new London service will bypass the airport and head straight to the Capital, reducing the journey time from 25 minutes up to an hour.

People travelling to the airport will also benefit as National Express is introducing the region’s first direct link to T4 and T5 in addition to the Central Coach Station at the airport.  T5 now accounts for half the traffic at Heathrow and 10 dedicated coach services will operate throughout the day to deliver holiday makers, business people and cabin crew direct to the terminal door.

18 new jobs in the local area have been created as a result of these changes, and two more brand new coaches have been added to the fleet.  The coaches feature free WiFi, reclining leather seats, air conditioning, toilet facilities, three point seat belts and adjustable seat belts for children all as standard.

Guy Stephenson, Commercial Director for National Express coaches, said:  “We have listened to what customers want, and that is more direct services to their destination.  Our new services will deliver faster, more convenient connections to London and Heathrow throughout the day. The London service is 25 minutes faster and offers fares from 99p, while the Heathrow service delivers customers direct to the terminal door without the hassle of parking or hauling suitcases.”

Passengers travelling with National Express are also helping to offset their carbon emissions. Coach is the most environmentally friendly mode of public transport, as well as one of the most affordable” Guy added.

Features of the new services include:

• New, direct coach routes taking customers straight to London or Heathrow
• 13 fast journeys to London per day, 25 minutes quicker than current service
• Southampton’s first ever direct link to Heathrow terminals four, five and the Central Bus Station
• Dedicated pick up point at Southampton University, Highfield Bus Interchange for London and Heathrow coach services
• Fares from 99p on London services
• Free WiFi for all customers
• Brand new coaches fitted with leather reclining seats, air conditioning, toilet facilities
• Two new 24-hour ticket machines at the coach station

To make it easier for passengers to ‘turn up and go’ National Express has also introduced two new 24 hour ticket machines at its coach station in Harbour Parade. The ticket machines let customers buy tickets for travel anywhere in Britain by cash or card and are available in three languages. 

National Express coaches to London and Heathrow feature reclining leather seats and free WiFi as well as air conditioning and onboard toilets. National Express coaches also feature a specially designed lift to enable passengers in wheelchairs to access the service easily

For more information please contact:
Joy Williams
0121 460 8419
Joy.williams@nationalexpress.com