As MegabusGold.com closes this month, LTCOA’s Peter Bradley recalls a recent logistical challenge, and how it was resolved thanks to the sleeper coach services
My wife Judy and I were delighted to receive an invitation to our friend’s wedding in Milngavie north of Glasgow in April, but equally dismayed that our 17-year-old son David was running in the Mini Marathon at 0855hrs in London the following day, which we were determined to watch.
There are no Caledonian Sleeper trains on a Saturday night, and flights were not much help either.
After thinking for a few moments, I hit on the idea of the MegabusGold.com sleeper coach before the announcement of its closure and decided this could be the perfect opportunity to try it out.
The website was easy to use; a couple of clicks revealed that there was indeed a coach from Glasgow at 2330 on Saturday, arriving in London Victoria at 0720hrs on Sunday morning, which was perfect timing for us.
Getting on the coach
Arriving at Glasgow Queen Street by train from Milngavie at 2234hrs, we decided a brisk walk to Buchanan Bus Station was in order rather than a cab. We joined about a dozen or so others waiting at stand 57 while the drivers, John and Andy, prepared the beds and loaded up with refreshments.
Our coach for the evening was SF13 FMK, a Megabus Gold Van Hool TD927 Astromega sleeper coach from the Stagecoach Glasgow fleet, and nicely turned out it was too. The burgundy and gold livery suits the vehicles well; simple but effective. The bus station and facilities were clean and very presentable, if somewhat basic, but did the job.
At around 2315 we were allowed on the coach, allocated our berth on the top deck for the night (we were at the front), and given a bottle of water and an apple and cinnamon muffin, which was welcome.
The ‘high quality linen’ was little more than a fitted under sheet, pillow and maroon blanket, but again did the job. There was not much opportunity to sit up in bed and therefore the simplest option was just to lie down, put on your seatbelt (or should that be bedbelt) and try to get some sleep.
John and Andy gave us an introduction and explained about the journey. They warned us of possible delays on the approach to London the following day because of the London Marathon, but hoped that would not be significant. We then set off and before we knew it we were on the motorway heading towards London. Interior lights were switched off about five minutes into the journey.
Surprisingly sleepy
I was very conscious of how bumpy the road felt; I peered out of the window behind the curtain to see we were on the motorway and checked my watch which said 2350hrs.
About what seemed like 30 minutes later I checked my watch again and it was 0310hrs! The road seemed much smoother now, but only after a couple more minutes we turned off the motorway and into a service station for the changeover of drivers. I tried to work out exactly where we were, but other than seeing some unfamiliar buildings there was no clue.
Setting off again we were quickly on the motorway, and I surprised myself by nodding off again and waking up to the dreary light of day. Once again peering behind the curtain, I could see we were passing an airport.
Looking at my watch it was about 0620hrs and thought we might be at Luton (although if we were coming from Glasgow that clearly was not right). I then saw a road sign and realised we were on the A40 Western Avenue passing Northolt! We were already in London and I had hardly noticed the journey.
Before we knew it, we were passing Greenford, Perivale, over Hanger Lane, turned right by Westfield Shopping Centre and then on Holland Park Avenue, through Notting Hill to Lancaster Gate.
At that point, the interior lights were turned on. We were gently told that the journey was almost finished and we would be arriving at Victoria in a few minutes. Turning right at Marble Arch and along Park Lane, we were soon in the old Samuelson’s garage, now the arrival terminal of Victoria Coach Station.
Judy and I picked up our belongings and were given a croissant and box of juice as we left.
A quick breakfast and freshen-up meant that we were in plenty of time to make our way to Birdcage Walk by St James Park, to watch David and then later thousands of others running the full London Marathon a few hundred yards from the finish line.
A sad farewell
So, reflections on the trip. Overall very impressive, especially as I got quite a lot of sleep, somewhat unexpectedly. Judy fared less well, but still felt rested in the morning.
It was much smoother than I expected, but also less crowded, which is why I guess that Stagecoach feel it does not form part of their longer-term strategy. I did muse as to why that was.
Everyone else using the service was younger than us and I strongly suspect we were not the target audience for the service. However, it provided us with what we needed and I for one feel sad that this option for travel will no longer be open to us. The two drivers, John and Andy, were excellent and a credit to their company.
Comparing it with the two sleeper train journeys that I have taken, I certainly managed more sleep on the coach then I ever did by rail, but I was possibly more tired. Maybe others of my generation would simply not consider this as an alternative means of travel.
A shame, as I hardly saw or heard any of my fellow travellers (mainly I guess students) and felt we had our privacy. Perhaps others are just not adventurous.
So thank you Stagecoach for that experience and for trying this service out over the last few years. I am sure I am not the only one to say a sad farewell to it.
