Cheltenham Racecourse has teamed up with National Express to provide extra coach services to this year’s Cheltenham Festival in light of rail strikes.
The Rail, Maritime and Transport union last week announced industrial action on Thursday 16 March and Saturday 18 March, with further knock-on disruption likely in the build-up.
National Express will offer increased journeys to and from the venue on all four days of the Festival from 14-17 March from 70 locations in England and Wales. Racegoers will arrive and depart from Archery Field with stewards on hand to assist their return home via the pop-up coach park.
Attendees can book their travel online at National Express’s Festival portal. With 20,000 passengers expected on services throughout the Festival week, the operator is advising customers to secure tickets early.
The company has provided a dedicated service for the last 10 years for the Festival.
Ian Renton, Regional Director at the Jockey Club (Cheltenham and South West), says: “Every year a large number of racegoers rely on rail services to make their way to The Festival. We therefore thought it was essential to be as proactive as possible in arranging alternative transport options.
“We have a longstanding and excellent working relationship with National Express and the extra coach services they are providing should help ensure that racegoers’ plans are not significantly impacted by the RMT action.
“I would like to extend our thanks to National Express for their assistance in helping to make this happen.”
