It was a pleasure having you on my 900 from Glasgow to Edinburgh the reason that coach is used at that time is that it goes onto a service where a single decker needs used. It’s normally the double decker at other times. The charging ports are activated from the drivers dashboard where it also activates the Wi-Fi on the double deckers. The tables all have wireless charging to if you wish to charge your phone. Thanks for the friendly compliment
Hi Scott, I'm a coach driver in Ireland we actually have no way of turning on or off the WiFi, it just comes on when the bus is started. The WiFi is so unpredictable that our ticket machines that need Internet access for online tickets actually have a sim card inserted into them. Great videos by the way and happy travels 👍
Why doesn't the driver just have unlimited data and provide a WiFi hot spot? Customers could sort themselves out better than the coach companies. It's 2023 and you can't sort wifi? Don't advertise it if you can't provide it! It's not even that hard to do
@@anotherone-ds1wn idk if this is just a limit of the iPhone, but last time I tried to use a personal hotspot on an iPhone, it limited me to 3 devices that could be connected to the hotspot at once. Maybe it’s different with other devices though, idk.
@@artsy_marcypan I think they meant and actual dedicated hotspot device like a nighthawk 5g hotspot that’s the route I would take unless I could maybe get starlink or viasat service cheaper or at least have a restart button for the wifi without the engine being involved
There is a reason for the strange USB placement on the coach you were on. Those seats on the port side would have been moveable/removeable to allow wheelchair placement. This means that they can't be wired in to the power circuit. To get around this the USB ports are put on the hat racks above the seats where the reading lights are. Not a perfect solution, but pretty much the only place they can go.
Scott you've really outdone yourself here, absolutely fantastic! (although you are bonkers) Ahhh the best perk of working in the travel industry, free branded rulers. Although I wouldn't trade my British Midland one for your American Airlines. Megabus legroom - wow, that's impressive! Never used them before, I think from memory because they didn't offer the 'buy the seat next to you' option. That's another important one for me, especially on a long journey. Anyway, thanks man, this was awesome.
I'm in the U.S.. Try Salt Lake City, Utah to Chicago, Illinois, via Memphis, Tennessee, on Greyhound, then straight back on Amtrak in coach. 4 days, brutal.
Scott, I'm smiling, and you've not even started your journey. Your a hard man with your points and deductions. lol. Seriously, another good video. Keep up the good work.
I used to drive for megabus a few years ago, the Wi-Fi was usually an issue. The Wi-Fi/router/modem is in an exterior compartment near the rear of the coach. I think the companies only pay for so much data and when it's used, its gone till next month. Of the vehicles you travelled on I have driven versions of 3 of them (the flixbus being the exception). I prefer the megabus one out of those but my personal favourite is the Van Hool Astromega's that megabus used to run. It was an interesting take on the different companies and what each provide. Great video
Hmm. Personally I am biased and just love National Express. When I was living in Manchester, younger and care-free I would do that journey from Manchester to Birmingham or London and go sightseeing. I am a bus and coach enthusiast and National Express had coaches with really nice sounding engines. Used to love booming through Manchester late at night with the sound of a big Scania or Volvo engine. Always found the seats to be comfortable myself as well. I guess the other operators are as good or better but it was a special experience for me at the time. You did well! That Manchester to Birmingham is a very long trip. To do that after a previous day of coach travel deserves more than a thumbs up! 👍 😂 The Little Yang Sing is a very good Chinese in Manchester next time you visit my wonderful City.
Not that I'm currently employed in the industry, but I do have my PCV licence, and previously worked for many years on Nat Ex contracts, the WiFi can be turned on, or indeed off on the dash, but, and I do point out BUT it is notoriously iffy on coaches, and it may well have been switched ON but simply so erratic, that it was just not working, it is very very temperamental. As for my favourite to travel on, I've not travelled on Flixbus but I have travelled overnight from London to Glasgow and Inverness (before they pulled the service) and I would personally say Nat Ex are my preference, but that's largely down to a very bad first experience I had with Megabus the first time I used them. Loving the channel Scott. Great one this one particularly
Malta bus driver here. The wifi on our buses is hardwired, as such, we have no control over the use of the wifi, not even the inspectors or supervisers, any problems with the wifi is refered to Telematics where I work. The companies I worked for in the UK had not yet fitted wifi, so I am not sure how it works in the UK.
I think the general attitude also matters. A few bad experiences with Megabus have put me off for life, yet I always find National Express to be decent. Never used Flixbus in the UK but have in Europe. I believe Flixbus just provide the booking service and the services are franchised rather like National Express but the coaches probably have to conform to a common design. Also big thing for me is the facilities, one reason I like National Express is you often have proper coach stations with toilets etc, where as Flixbus and Megabus often picks you up from the street, if it is late there is no staff around to tell you what is going on. At least Megabus in some of the bigger do use proper stations.
Top rate effort of the various bus companies. Certainly a very fair comparison, and Megabus looked the best. You deserve an award for enthusiasm and commitment. Scott, when do you ever sleep? :) You looked just as good at the end of the video as at the beginning.
Scott I came across this video when put out first time but just re-watched it. I'm a disabled traveller who only uses NX. I travelled last month from Birmingham to Glasgow return. On both coaches I used 2A/B (my partner was with me) and there was usb slots between the 2 seats (not in front but between 2A/B) but its not easy to find and even harder to get your wire plugged in. This was on both outward and return. The wifi was excellent. I find NX very comfortable. I often go to away games with my local side Solihull Moors who use Johnson coaches and I find fabric seats more uncomfortable compared to leather. As a disabled passenger you can get a refund on 2A/2B if you call NX. That's only for disabled passengers. Not all disabled passengers travel alone! Great video.
Thanks for doing these videos... Off to Amsterdam with the mrs at the end of the month with FlixBus and the videos have been very informative about what to expect.
National Express coaches have both standard UK sockets and USB sockets. The USB sockets are located in between the seats at the front and has a white surround on them
This is the first video of yours I’ve watched- it definitely won’t be the last! Innovative video idea- not a stupid repetition like other channels! Hope your channel continues to grow!
I used to love the short lived Megabus sleeper service between Glasgow and London. I used it quite a few times and always got a (relatively) good sleep on the bottom bunk. Was always great value, certainly compared to the sleeper train.
I used the Megabus sleeper from Dundee to London and return. The bottom bunks were cramped and uncomfortable will little headroom, when turning over my shoulder would scrape the bottom of an occupied top bunk.
I once did Portsmouth to Glasgow via National express and when we crossed into Scotland the driver ( who was Scottish ) played VERY LOUD bagpipe music and woke us all up . ######d . Comfortable trip though .
Hi Scott Would it be possible to do a review of coach companies focusing on disabled travellers facilities? I have limited mobility and use a scooter so using public transport can be difficult. It would be great to see how these companies accommodate passengers in the same situation as myself. Fantastic videos by the way
Hi Scott, I’ve not long got back from travelling on a Megabus and the reason you had such a huge amount of legroom is because you were sat in a seat with extra legroom. It was £2 book it, an additional £1 above the normal booking fee for a seat. Certain other seats were £3 to book. But I think that explains as to why you had all that room! :)
I have previously used National Express, being a student at the blind College in Hereford i used to go home some at Stroud, then return to hereford Sunday night. Over the 4 year period i did this, i had a regular coach driver, who on several occasions because he knew I would be returning to Hereford. If I was running late, he would actually wait for me to arrive then catch up the time along the route! Would Love to do some coach travel now as this was a good 15-20 years ago!
Some trains in Belgium have a similar USB charging setup (USB connector on the support of the seats in front, with no real provision for the actual device). I've seen passengers put their phone in their sock.
When I lived in the UK (until 1980), I used to travel regularly between London and Nottingham. The company was United Counties and the buses were invariably Bristol coaches: solid, but dull. Now I live in Hiroshima and have never travelled long distance by bus (though the network is very extensive and efficient and the services have names: the service between Hiroshima and Tokyo being New Breeze). The shinkansen (bullet train) takes around 4-5 hours and the bus scores only on cost. There is a sleeper train, offering views of Mt. Fuji in the morning. I sometimes used the restaurant car and could have breakfast while passing Mt. Fuji. The Japanese do transport very well. My father used to work for Trent Motor Traction (now Trent-Barton, I believe) and so we are a 'bus' family. I have fond memories of the front-entrance Duple bodied double deckers with early Leyland Engines, going through the gears on the way up Broughton hill on Service 2 to Melton Mowbray. There were three bus stations: Huntingdon Street, Mount Street, and Broad Marsh.
That's dedication Scott...at 6ft 8ins tall I have a simple solution to which coach company to use.....none of them! Get the train every time and take advantageof advance ticket prices. You can get up and stretch your legs when needed, food and drink is available if you want it as are multiple toilets on long distance journeys. Keep up the good work!
yea indeed megabus was really good when they started out, even bus prices to London from Bournemouth, it would cost more doe to get a bus to coach pick up. my first megabus was with a group of punk rockers up to camden town it was hysterical, this poor old fella got on at Ringwood and shortly after went into the buses loo compartment, honest to god he stank out the whole double decker, and when we stopped at Southampton he got off, and the whole bus bundled off behind him moaning both the floors, and we was all sat still in place crying like juveniles even the poor driver got out the cab and bailed out, the journey was so funny, they all got back on after the driver had grabbed some air freshener out of a small storage cupboard and went round. we carried on to London under the spell of glade, minus the old fella thankfully. would give them top marks on entertainment value alone for just that trip.
Hey Scott. That was really interesting. Just wanted to let you know that on your advice a while ago, I booked National Express overnight from Glasgow to London. Booked seat 2a for extra legroom but when I boarded the coach I was told there were no reservations on that service! I showed the driver my booking and he said he couldn't do anything about it. Fortunately I was 2nd on and got the seat anyway but he told me to take it up with the office. Would have been really annoyed if I hadn't got the seat as I would not have been able to ask the person to move. I was lucky in the end and it was the most comfortable journey I had had on the coach (I do thus once a year). Even managed to get 6 hours sleep! Anyway thought you would like to know. Thanks for all your insights, they are really helpful
Favourite Bus trips...any trip before they brought in a smoking ban. Used to get the red-eye between Belfast and Birmingham and smokes, dink and packet of cards turned the back of the coach into a party
Hi Scott, really enjoy the channel and it was fun to see my home town on this episode. Must point out though it's Middlesbrough not Middlesborough. Bit of a sore point with us Teessiders. Keep up the good work though 👍
Thank you, Scott. I'd just watched another video comparing Megabus and Flixbus (London-Leeds on one and Leeds-London on the other). I was put off Megabus because there's no drop-down table - points deducted! One crucial thing on long-distance travel is a functioning toilet. Did they all have one? No loo = deal breaker. It'd be interesting to see the same journey (say, London to Manchester) done on all four to compare seat comfort on a longer journey.
Remember a lot of these are franchises, NX for example does this. I believe most others do too. Also a lot of coaches will have been built without USB or wifi, and have been retrofitted for that. So your mileage will always vary depending on the route and company actually providing the coach,
I know that drivers for National Express have no control over the WiFi as I used to drive for them. I was surprised to see how good your experience with Megabus was because a few years ago I had a dreadful experience with them and vowed never to use them again. Never had an issue with Nat Ex and never used the other two so can't comment. Thanks for going through this ordeal, was a great video 👍
Wait… Megabus was the best?? I wouldn’t have ever guessed that! I used them once on a Glasgow to London trip years ago and the legroom and not being able to get off and stretch the legs is what sent me to NX, that and the fewer stops! Always wanted to try the Megabus Gold sleeper service when it was in action and hope it comes back! Going by this video I’m definitely going to be giving MB another shot! Thanks for a great video, Scott!
Scott, as bonkers as you are for doing this video, I would have liked to see a comparison on seat width! I'll tell you why... I did the whole Victoria to Glasgow slog on National Express and back again last November as I came up to Scotland for a wee break and a concert at the Armadillo. I had the seat for people with mobility issues, so legroom was not necessarily a problem, although that seat didn't have a reclining lever at all on either bus! However, the main problem I had with my own physical condition was the width of the seat. My thighs were basically on the edges the entire time with the seat belt buckle digging right in, plus my head was whacking about in the wings trying to get some sleep. On the ride home, I got a bit desperate and bought a £15 neck cushion from the service station. I returned back to London in so much pain and ready to write National Express a strongly worded complaint. How did the comfort of the seats in FlixBus compare to those of Megabus for you? Which do you feel were the widest? Cheers! *gives a thumbs up*
Well done Scott. Epic challenge. Why do these “express” buses make so many stops? I often get Stagecoaches from Halbeath Dunfermline to Buchanan Glasgow with the first 30 mins wandering around a leisure park, housing estate then on to the bus station in Dunfermline town 2 miles away stopping up to six times! Some “express” that!
I did an overnight megabus bus from Aberdeen to London it was alright there was no stops after Glasgow apart from driver change somewhere in England However I did an all day megabus back 2 days later and that stopped everywhere took 13 hours
I agree, my local bus company has WiFi but doesn't work. As for my favourite national coach, I haven't travelled that way for many years but didn't mind the National Express in the day.
I used to drive the mega and citylink coaches inverness to glasgow and Edinburgh, with the wifi volvo are usually comes on when the engine is turned on while the scania and vanhool there is a button you press. But with the WiFi they just get a WiFi box put it in the coach then say they have WiFi, even though they don't pay a broadband to actually have working WiFi. Also with the mega and citylink you should check if the USB actually works as so many times passengers complain to me that they don't work. With stagecoach vehicles you have very limited heating because on the double decker you could access a menu but stagecoach have put a pin on it and will not allow the drivers to access it as stagecoach have adjusted it to give at the lowest heating setting possible to save money on fuel. With the air con in stagecoach vehicles. As soon as the fluid runs out, that's it. They will not pay to to get the ac fluid toped up so it it won't actually work, last year, upstairs on thoughs deckers got up to 40 degrees. Another issue with the stagecoach coaches for me is the front doors constantly have wind noise and constant whistling because the engineers seem to mess around with them during mot and services and cause them to no longer be aligned with the seals and that creates small gaps. For those lights I generally have them of during night time as I find they are way to bright. I generally allow people to turn on or of the light above them. Seems to be a very scottish thing to have all the lights maxed out at night. I don't know why I just have it how I would like it if I was travelling. Having the lights of at night also lets people sleep and gives people more privacy.
Nit picking here, at 08:27 incorrect spelling of Middlesbrough. As normal fantastic video, thank you very much Scott. Like some others I thought that you were going to do 2 return journeys. I agree with you I would prefer a Chinese meal to a golden arches one, but, next time you will know where to go.
One bus co you don't want to use is GO Transit in Ontario! No wifi, no reading light knees touching the seat in front and 2 and a half hours to travel from Aurora ( a bit north of Toronto) to Barrie (a bit further north of Toronto). I can drive it in 30 minutes!
Hi Scott from France... just to let you know I start with my flixbus training next week...and have started this week with what they call "flixuni".. great videos keep clocking up them Kms! Subbed😊
It's a Parks of Hamilton coach that was used on the Glasgow to Edinburgh route albeit in CityLink colours. The blue interior lighting is absolute overkill.
To be fair, it isn't to their usual spec. This was built for an Irish company who went bust during the pandemic and before the coach was registered. Parks snapped it up (along with a few others) so it isn't to the usual spec. Incidentally, Stagecoach Perth depot have also acquired 6 Coaches from the same order. Hadn't noticed the footrest on those but I've only had a shot of one once!
I used to do Glasgow to London for a pound on the Megabus, the normal and the sleeper were both uncomfortable. I took a 12 hour coach in Thailand once that was luxurious and about a 5er
That was quite interesting to view. I did a coach hoilday with another someone eles . Just. Interesting what's on coachs and leg room . Must say are leg room was poor and don't think there was wifi on coach. Thanks again
Amazing .. How do you do it ?! You must have been shattered after all that. Thank you for making these journeys so we don't have to ! You do an incredible job. Well done.
Solid video Scott! I have found with NX coaches that older coaches tend to not have means of charging, but newer ones tend to have a USB. I need to try Flixbus and CityLink coaches. Only done NX and Megabus (with contractor buses)
Excellent comparison video. My Wife and I nearly always travel around the Country by Car but we did a trip with National Express to Folkestone, from our Social Club in the North East of England. I was apprehensive but it was really comfortable with breaks every two hours. I thoroughly enjoyed it and it made a change from Driving. After watching your vid, I intend to try some of the other Companies you travelled with. Thank you Scott, it's videos like your that makes you- tube so interesting.👍👍
What happens to the knee to back of the seat in front measurement when the seat in front reclines? No from painful experience that it can impede on your comfort.
Yeay..we are no 1....The driver switches the wi- fi on...via a switch on the dash but it's normally left on..very unusual for the wi-fi not to be working on our megabus coaches...Blue night lights are becming standard on coaches and have to be left on at night due to health and safety...Huge Volvo / plaxton fan all we use on megabus
It was a pleasure having you on my 900 from Glasgow to Edinburgh the reason that coach is used at that time is that it goes onto a service where a single decker needs used. It’s normally the double decker at other times.
The charging ports are activated from the drivers dashboard where it also activates the Wi-Fi on the double deckers. The tables all have wireless charging to if you wish to charge your phone. Thanks for the friendly compliment
I’ll best in mind the comment reference the blue strobes early in the morning.
@@k9psychology87 were you the driver of the bus or have I missed understood something
It sounds like he was the driver.
@@ChetNotJet I was the driver mate, I do it part time.
That bus that was on the 900 usually does the 902 I think. I usually get the 902 to go to Glasgow.
Hi Scott, I'm a coach driver in Ireland we actually have no way of turning on or off the WiFi, it just comes on when the bus is started. The WiFi is so unpredictable that our ticket machines that need Internet access for online tickets actually have a sim card inserted into them. Great videos by the way and happy travels 👍
Thank you Wayne happy safe driving your points helped
Why doesn't the driver just have unlimited data and provide a WiFi hot spot? Customers could sort themselves out better than the coach companies. It's 2023 and you can't sort wifi? Don't advertise it if you can't provide it! It's not even that hard to do
@@anotherone-ds1wn idk if this is just a limit of the iPhone, but last time I tried to use a personal hotspot on an iPhone, it limited me to 3 devices that could be connected to the hotspot at once. Maybe it’s different with other devices though, idk.
Security risk as scammers can fake the legit website. I've unlimited data just it drains the battery.
@@artsy_marcypan I think they meant and actual dedicated hotspot device like a nighthawk 5g hotspot that’s the route I would take unless I could maybe get starlink or viasat service cheaper or at least have a restart button for the wifi without the engine being involved
There is a reason for the strange USB placement on the coach you were on. Those seats on the port side would have been moveable/removeable to allow wheelchair placement. This means that they can't be wired in to the power circuit. To get around this the USB ports are put on the hat racks above the seats where the reading lights are. Not a perfect solution, but pretty much the only place they can go.
Scott you've really outdone yourself here, absolutely fantastic! (although you are bonkers) Ahhh the best perk of working in the travel industry, free branded rulers. Although I wouldn't trade my British Midland one for your American Airlines. Megabus legroom - wow, that's impressive! Never used them before, I think from memory because they didn't offer the 'buy the seat next to you' option. That's another important one for me, especially on a long journey. Anyway, thanks man, this was awesome.
I agree with you 100% - yes I am bonkers.
When are we going to see an Edinburgh vs Glasgow challenge? Something like Taggart and Rebus would be good. 😂
I'm in the U.S.. Try Salt Lake City, Utah to Chicago, Illinois, via Memphis, Tennessee, on Greyhound, then straight back on Amtrak in coach. 4 days, brutal.
SteveMarsh should do a challenge with Scott at planes trains and everything.
You can now reserve your seat on megabus
thanks for putting yourself through that for your subscribers well done. would love to know how you got home!
Should have checked the toilets are open, as one company regularly has them locked plus check for air-con most have it but some surprisingly do not.
every single time ive used an x bus from stagecoach no matter how long the journey is the toilets are always out of order
The drivers dont like emptying them, the management is to blame.@@BuckfastTonic
Scott, I'm smiling, and you've not even started your journey. Your a hard man with your points and deductions. lol. Seriously, another good video. Keep up the good work.
I used to drive for megabus a few years ago, the Wi-Fi was usually an issue. The Wi-Fi/router/modem is in an exterior compartment near the rear of the coach. I think the companies only pay for so much data and when it's used, its gone till next month. Of the vehicles you travelled on I have driven versions of 3 of them (the flixbus being the exception). I prefer the megabus one out of those but my personal favourite is the Van Hool Astromega's that megabus used to run. It was an interesting take on the different companies and what each provide. Great video
Excellent video, Scott ! 🎉🎉 I enjoyed it. Thank you for taking us along. I am a subscriber.
Hmm. Personally I am biased and just love National Express. When I was living in Manchester, younger and care-free I would do that journey from Manchester to Birmingham or London and go sightseeing. I am a bus and coach enthusiast and National Express had coaches with really nice sounding engines. Used to love booming through Manchester late at night with the sound of a big Scania or Volvo engine. Always found the seats to be comfortable myself as well. I guess the other operators are as good or better but it was a special experience for me at the time. You did well! That Manchester to Birmingham is a very long trip. To do that after a previous day of coach travel deserves more than a thumbs up! 👍 😂 The Little Yang Sing is a very good Chinese in Manchester next time you visit my wonderful City.
You're obviously not 6'5 then
Just a minor point, is it not worse saying you have WiFi but it doesn't actually work rather than just not having WiFi at all?
Yeah, there really should be a 2 points deduction for advertised but not working wifi (to offset the one point they got for claiming it had wifi).
@@Torbjorn.Lindgren I agree with you both.
Don't know how this came up in my suggestions, but I really enjoyed that video!
Not that I'm currently employed in the industry, but I do have my PCV licence, and previously worked for many years on Nat Ex contracts, the WiFi can be turned on, or indeed off on the dash, but, and I do point out BUT it is notoriously iffy on coaches, and it may well have been switched ON but simply so erratic, that it was just not working, it is very very temperamental.
As for my favourite to travel on, I've not travelled on Flixbus but I have travelled overnight from London to Glasgow and Inverness (before they pulled the service) and I would personally say Nat Ex are my preference, but that's largely down to a very bad first experience I had with Megabus the first time I used them.
Loving the channel Scott. Great one this one particularly
I prefer National Express too.
Malta bus driver here. The wifi on our buses is hardwired, as such, we have no control over the use of the wifi, not even the inspectors or supervisers, any problems with the wifi is refered to Telematics where I work. The companies I worked for in the UK had not yet fitted wifi, so I am not sure how it works in the UK.
I think the general attitude also matters. A few bad experiences with Megabus have put me off for life, yet I always find National Express to be decent. Never used Flixbus in the UK but have in Europe. I believe Flixbus just provide the booking service and the services are franchised rather like National Express but the coaches probably have to conform to a common design.
Also big thing for me is the facilities, one reason I like National Express is you often have proper coach stations with toilets etc, where as Flixbus and Megabus often picks you up from the street, if it is late there is no staff around to tell you what is going on. At least Megabus in some of the bigger do use proper stations.
Top rate effort of the various bus companies.
Certainly a very fair comparison, and Megabus looked the best. You deserve an award for enthusiasm and commitment. Scott, when do you ever sleep? :)
You looked just as good at the end of the video as at the beginning.
He's only 45, I think all this travelling has taken a toll 😅
Scott I came across this video when put out first time but just re-watched it. I'm a disabled traveller who only uses NX. I travelled last month from Birmingham to Glasgow return. On both coaches I used 2A/B (my partner was with me) and there was usb slots between the 2 seats (not in front but between 2A/B) but its not easy to find and even harder to get your wire plugged in. This was on both outward and return. The wifi was excellent. I find NX very comfortable. I often go to away games with my local side Solihull Moors who use Johnson coaches and I find fabric seats more uncomfortable compared to leather. As a disabled passenger you can get a refund on 2A/2B if you call NX. That's only for disabled passengers. Not all disabled passengers travel alone! Great video.
Thanks for doing these videos... Off to Amsterdam with the mrs at the end of the month with FlixBus and the videos have been very informative about what to expect.
22 hours in 22 minutes! Amazing!
National Express coaches have both standard UK sockets and USB sockets. The USB sockets are located in between the seats at the front and has a white surround on them
This is the first video of yours I’ve watched- it definitely won’t be the last! Innovative video idea- not a stupid repetition like other channels! Hope your channel continues to grow!
Another above and beyond the call of duty challenge, keep them coming!
I used to love the short lived Megabus sleeper service between Glasgow and London. I used it quite a few times and always got a (relatively) good sleep on the bottom bunk.
Was always great value, certainly compared to the sleeper train.
I used the Megabus sleeper from Dundee to London and return. The bottom bunks were cramped and uncomfortable will little headroom, when turning over my shoulder would scrape the bottom of an occupied top bunk.
What an amazing video and the trouble that you put yourself through for us.
I really enjoyed that exercise. Thanks for doing that. K
I once did Portsmouth to Glasgow via National express and when we crossed into Scotland the driver ( who was Scottish ) played VERY LOUD bagpipe music and woke us all up . ######d . Comfortable trip though .
You’re some man, Scott! What a commitment to great content. Hope you had a good sleep when you got to London
I took a city link bus from Inverness to Glasgow last month. The bus had wireless phone charging on the seat in front. Thought this was a nice touch.
Favourite coach - Citylink.
22 hours, I appreciate your hard work for this video! I made some of this weird trips of myself 🤦. Thank you, and stay always safe. Marco Germany
Hi Scott Would it be possible to do a review of coach companies focusing on disabled travellers facilities? I have limited mobility and use a scooter so using public transport can be difficult. It would be great to see how these companies accommodate passengers in the same situation as myself. Fantastic videos by the way
These are my favourite videos that you put out.
Hi Scott, I’ve not long got back from travelling on a Megabus and the reason you had such a huge amount of legroom is because you were sat in a seat with extra legroom. It was £2 book it, an additional £1 above the normal booking fee for a seat. Certain other seats were £3 to book. But I think that explains as to why you had all that room! :)
Perhaps "just 6 centimetres" was rather reminiscent of something else there😂
What a fantastic and honest review!
Kudos to you for doing that journey! ☺️
I very much enjoyed the video. My question to you, which coach company did you use to return to Glasgow - or did you use thebtrain ?
Planning to take a bus soon on a DIY overseas trip to the UK, this is really helpful, thank you for the thorough review!
That was great . Thanks Scott for your useful videos , I always enjoy your work 👍
I have previously used National Express, being a student at the blind College in Hereford i used to go home some at Stroud, then return to hereford Sunday night. Over the 4 year period i did this, i had a regular coach driver, who on several occasions because he knew I would be returning to Hereford. If I was running late, he would actually wait for me to arrive then catch up the time along the route! Would Love to do some coach travel now as this was a good 15-20 years ago!
Good evening Scott, dedication personified sir, Thankyou for taking the time and effort to do this challenge 👍🇮🇲
I like the coaches on megabus and national Express but national Express win for me but we only have 1 megabus route from where I live
Some trains in Belgium have a similar USB charging setup (USB connector on the support of the seats in front, with no real provision for the actual device). I've seen passengers put their phone in their sock.
Thanks for the information about the bus services this provided. We really enjoyed watching it.
When I lived in the UK (until 1980), I used to travel regularly between London and Nottingham. The company was United Counties and the buses were invariably Bristol coaches: solid, but dull. Now I live in Hiroshima and have never travelled long distance by bus (though the network is very extensive and efficient and the services have names: the service between Hiroshima and Tokyo being New Breeze). The shinkansen (bullet train) takes around 4-5 hours and the bus scores only on cost. There is a sleeper train, offering views of Mt. Fuji in the morning. I sometimes used the restaurant car and could have breakfast while passing Mt. Fuji. The Japanese do transport very well.
My father used to work for Trent Motor Traction (now Trent-Barton, I believe) and so we are a 'bus' family. I have fond memories of the front-entrance Duple bodied double deckers with early Leyland Engines, going through the gears on the way up Broughton hill on Service 2 to Melton Mowbray. There were three bus stations: Huntingdon Street, Mount Street, and Broad Marsh.
That's dedication Scott...at 6ft 8ins tall I have a simple solution to which coach company to use.....none of them! Get the train every time and take advantageof advance ticket prices. You can get up and stretch your legs when needed, food and drink is available if you want it as are multiple toilets on long distance journeys. Keep up the good work!
yea indeed megabus was really good when they started out, even bus prices to London from Bournemouth, it would cost more doe to get a bus to coach pick up. my first megabus was with a group of punk rockers up to camden town it was hysterical, this poor old fella got on at Ringwood and shortly after went into the buses loo compartment, honest to god he stank out the whole double decker, and when we stopped at Southampton he got off, and the whole bus bundled off behind him moaning both the floors, and we was all sat still in place crying like juveniles even the poor driver got out the cab and bailed out, the journey was so funny, they all got back on after the driver had grabbed some air freshener out of a small storage cupboard and went round. we carried on to London under the spell of glade, minus the old fella thankfully. would give them top marks on entertainment value alone for just that trip.
Hey Scott. That was really interesting. Just wanted to let you know that on your advice a while ago, I booked National Express overnight from Glasgow to London. Booked seat 2a for extra legroom but when I boarded the coach I was told there were no reservations on that service! I showed the driver my booking and he said he couldn't do anything about it. Fortunately I was 2nd on and got the seat anyway but he told me to take it up with the office. Would have been really annoyed if I hadn't got the seat as I would not have been able to ask the person to move. I was lucky in the end and it was the most comfortable journey I had had on the coach (I do thus once a year). Even managed to get 6 hours sleep! Anyway thought you would like to know. Thanks for all your insights, they are really helpful
There is a reason the tyne bridge reminds you of the Sydney Bridge, it was designed and built by the same people
Cleveland Bridge
Favourite Bus trips...any trip before they brought in a smoking ban. Used to get the red-eye between Belfast and Birmingham and smokes, dink and packet of cards turned the back of the coach into a party
I had a bit of a laugh after min. 5.53 as you living Flixbus, there's an ambulance waiting, I though (???) was it that bad?🤣🤣
Hi Scott, really enjoy the channel and it was fun to see my home town on this episode. Must point out though it's Middlesbrough not Middlesborough. Bit of a sore point with us Teessiders. Keep up the good work though 👍
I did megabus when they had sleeper from glasgow to london, it was brilliant and only £14 , think its more than 10 years ago thou :) love your videos
Thank you, Scott. I'd just watched another video comparing Megabus and Flixbus (London-Leeds on one and Leeds-London on the other). I was put off Megabus because there's no drop-down table - points deducted! One crucial thing on long-distance travel is a functioning toilet. Did they all have one? No loo = deal breaker. It'd be interesting to see the same journey (say, London to Manchester) done on all four to compare seat comfort on a longer journey.
The directional air vent is called a punkah louvre, we had them in the bunk space on board ships and submarines.Chris.
Remember a lot of these are franchises, NX for example does this. I believe most others do too. Also a lot of coaches will have been built without USB or wifi, and have been retrofitted for that. So your mileage will always vary depending on the route and company actually providing the coach,
I know that drivers for National Express have no control over the WiFi as I used to drive for them. I was surprised to see how good your experience with Megabus was because a few years ago I had a dreadful experience with them and vowed never to use them again. Never had an issue with Nat Ex and never used the other two so can't comment. Thanks for going through this ordeal, was a great video 👍
Well done, my fav coach was / is the neoplan skyliner. I traveled to Spain a few times with siesta. Their new coaches look amazing.
So did i in the 80s. No Le shuttle then either. I'm sure it cost about £89 per person for 2 weeks as well.
Loved this video. Keep them coming. Stay safe and well
I love national express! Reliable service for me, from manchester to london, but i dont do overnight coaches
Great vid as usual. I used to hate long journeys as a kid. Now I could sit on a train or bus all day as long as I had Internet! Good stuff chap. 👍
Wait… Megabus was the best?? I wouldn’t have ever guessed that! I used them once on a Glasgow to London trip years ago and the legroom and not being able to get off and stretch the legs is what sent me to NX, that and the fewer stops!
Always wanted to try the Megabus Gold sleeper service when it was in action and hope it comes back!
Going by this video I’m definitely going to be giving MB another shot! Thanks for a great video, Scott!
Scott, as bonkers as you are for doing this video, I would have liked to see a comparison on seat width! I'll tell you why... I did the whole Victoria to Glasgow slog on National Express and back again last November as I came up to Scotland for a wee break and a concert at the Armadillo. I had the seat for people with mobility issues, so legroom was not necessarily a problem, although that seat didn't have a reclining lever at all on either bus! However, the main problem I had with my own physical condition was the width of the seat. My thighs were basically on the edges the entire time with the seat belt buckle digging right in, plus my head was whacking about in the wings trying to get some sleep. On the ride home, I got a bit desperate and bought a £15 neck cushion from the service station. I returned back to London in so much pain and ready to write National Express a strongly worded complaint. How did the comfort of the seats in FlixBus compare to those of Megabus for you? Which do you feel were the widest? Cheers! *gives a thumbs up*
Absolutely fantastic information Scott ..thankyou so much for all the info on this video ..have a well seserved sleep now 😴👏👏👏
What a video. Was really well put together and relaxing in a way.
Class. Thanking you. 👍
Informative, objective and feast for the eyes. Thank you so much for your amazing videos 🚌
Well done Scott. Epic challenge. Why do these “express” buses make so many stops? I often get Stagecoaches from Halbeath Dunfermline to Buchanan Glasgow with the first 30 mins wandering around a leisure park, housing estate then on to the bus station in Dunfermline town 2 miles away stopping up to six times! Some “express” that!
Well done Scott that would of been tough going 👏🏻
I did an overnight megabus bus from Aberdeen to London it was alright there was no stops after Glasgow apart from driver change somewhere in England
However I did an all day megabus back 2 days later and that stopped everywhere took 13 hours
I agree, my local bus company has WiFi but doesn't work. As for my favourite national coach, I haven't travelled that way for many years but didn't mind the National Express in the day.
Flixbus for me has it comfortable and the staff are so friendly I went to Manchester on the flixbus for that day on that is. My favourite coach
I used to drive the mega and citylink coaches inverness to glasgow and Edinburgh, with the wifi volvo are usually comes on when the engine is turned on while the scania and vanhool there is a button you press. But with the WiFi they just get a WiFi box put it in the coach then say they have WiFi, even though they don't pay a broadband to actually have working WiFi. Also with the mega and citylink you should check if the USB actually works as so many times passengers complain to me that they don't work. With stagecoach vehicles you have very limited heating because on the double decker you could access a menu but stagecoach have put a pin on it and will not allow the drivers to access it as stagecoach have adjusted it to give at the lowest heating setting possible to save money on fuel. With the air con in stagecoach vehicles. As soon as the fluid runs out, that's it. They will not pay to to get the ac fluid toped up so it it won't actually work, last year, upstairs on thoughs deckers got up to 40 degrees. Another issue with the stagecoach coaches for me is the front doors constantly have wind noise and constant whistling because the engineers seem to mess around with them during mot and services and cause them to no longer be aligned with the seals and that creates small gaps. For those lights I generally have them of during night time as I find they are way to bright. I generally allow people to turn on or of the light above them. Seems to be a very scottish thing to have all the lights maxed out at night. I don't know why I just have it how I would like it if I was travelling. Having the lights of at night also lets people sleep and gives people more privacy.
Nit picking here, at 08:27 incorrect spelling of Middlesbrough.
As normal fantastic video, thank you very much Scott. Like some others I thought that you were going to do 2 return journeys.
I agree with you I would prefer a Chinese meal to a golden arches one, but, next time you will know where to go.
Well played Scott! Glad you did this so I don’t have to!!!
Great video as usual but I want to know more about the fountain behind you at the beginning
It's the fountain gardens in Paisley, his and my hometown
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fountain_Gardens,_Paisley
One bus co you don't want to use is GO Transit in Ontario! No wifi, no reading light knees touching the seat in front and 2 and a half hours to travel from Aurora ( a bit north of Toronto) to Barrie (a bit further north of Toronto). I can drive it in 30 minutes!
Thanks for this. I am 5ft 15ins so a legroom test is really useful.
I'm 6'5 so I can only sit in one seat on NatEx.
Hi Scott from France... just to let you know I start with my flixbus training next week...and have started this week with what they call "flixuni".. great videos keep clocking up them Kms! Subbed😊
The Golden Arches restaurant is called The Golden Seagull over here.
It's a Parks of Hamilton coach that was used on the Glasgow to Edinburgh route albeit in CityLink colours. The blue interior lighting is absolute overkill.
To be fair, it isn't to their usual spec. This was built for an Irish company who went bust during the pandemic and before the coach was registered. Parks snapped it up (along with a few others) so it isn't to the usual spec.
Incidentally, Stagecoach Perth depot have also acquired 6 Coaches from the same order. Hadn't noticed the footrest on those but I've only had a shot of one once!
Hey Scott! Brilliant video and really fun meeting you in Glasgow, forgot to ask for a picture with you though!
I used to do Glasgow to London for a pound on the Megabus, the normal and the sleeper were both uncomfortable.
I took a 12 hour coach in Thailand once that was luxurious and about a 5er
Great music! Manchester to London lots of stops
flixbus - we travelled from glasgow to london, all the ports for chargers were broke all 4 seats we had on a 22 plated bus!
Went on flix bus recently to Cologne, bus in way back had usb socket in the ceiling too, lucky I had a long cable...
Great effort
That was quite interesting to view.
I did a coach hoilday with another someone eles .
Just. Interesting what's on coachs and leg room .
Must say are leg room was poor and don't think there was wifi on coach.
Thanks again
Really enjoyable video Scott. Very unusual keep up the good work.
Amazing .. How do you do it ?! You must have been shattered after all that. Thank you for making these journeys so we don't have to ! You do an incredible job. Well done.
I have done London to Glasgow,it isn’t nice
Solid video Scott! I have found with NX coaches that older coaches tend to not have means of charging, but newer ones tend to have a USB. I need to try Flixbus and CityLink coaches. Only done NX and Megabus (with contractor buses)
Brilliant really enjoyed the video😊
best bus, 1990 volvo b10m with vanhool body, comfy, reliable, okay they do rust a bit... bus o choice for converting to a motorhome or race bus
Well done Scott!
Favourite coach company: Megabus and National Express
Have you tried Ember buses? I’ve had really good experience with them between Dundee and Glasgow!
Nice my city on your video Sunderland thanks Scott w
Excellent comparison video. My Wife and I nearly always travel around the Country by Car but we did a trip with National Express to Folkestone, from our Social Club in the North East of England. I was apprehensive but it was really comfortable with breaks every two hours. I thoroughly enjoyed it and it made a change from Driving. After watching your vid, I intend to try some of the other Companies you travelled with. Thank you Scott, it's videos like your that makes you- tube so interesting.👍👍
Great video... thoroughly enjoyed it...well done 👍
Megabus- Least favourite always always late! Never arrive on time either. I’ve stood at stops for hours for busses before
great to see your in fountain garden in paisley
What happens to the knee to back of the seat in front measurement when the seat in front reclines? No from painful experience that it can impede on your comfort.
Yeay..we are no 1....The driver switches the wi- fi on...via a switch on the dash but it's normally left on..very unusual for the wi-fi not to be working on our megabus coaches...Blue night lights are becming standard on coaches and have to be left on at night due to health and safety...Huge Volvo / plaxton fan all we use on megabus