National Express increases services to meet demand after lockdown easing

National Express has responded to booking enquiries by making significant additions to its timetable, just two weeks after getting back on the road.

Twelve new services have been introduced, nine will increase their frequency and just over 40 new stops will be added to the national network of scheduled coach services.

Five new routes will be introduced in Yorkshire with Doncaster, Sheffield, Halifax, Huddersfield, Bradford and Leeds all benefiting from increased services into London.

Stops for services via Dewsbury, Brighouse, Hull and Wakefield will also be reintroduced.

Chris Hardy, managing director of National Express UK Coach, explains: “After a three month suspension our iconic white fleet restarted services on 1 July, running at a reduced frequency with a focus on major towns and cities.

“Overall demand and bookings have been really positive and the level of requests for travel to and from Yorkshire meant we decided to add to our timetable sooner than anticipated.”

“We’re working hard to quickly add to our timetable so more people can enjoy the summer safely.

“Journey requests are being monitored and we’ve added a short survey on our website to capture the information. We will use this to help make decisions as we continue to add new services and increase frequency on existing routes.”

Additional data from National Express has revealed a switch from spontaneous travel to more planning ahead and purchasing in advance with less customers buying tickets on the day of travel

Mr Hardy added: “As restrictions are relaxed and the country starts to adjust to the ‘new normal’, these changes in behaviour aren’t surprising.

“Our significant covid-secure measures including reduced capacity, temperature screening and additional air conditioning filters, allow customers to travel in confidence. And we’ve also introduced the option to amend the date, time and journey origin and destination free of charge if circumstances change.

“It’s great to be back on the road and playing our part in getting the country safely moving again by providing a safe option for those who have no alternative to public transport.”