Megabus launches new Paris-Toulouse service

Despite opposition from authorities, Megabus has launched an intercity route in France. The Paris to Toulouse service was due to commence on Monday 9th March with services starting from just €1. There will be one overnight journey each day in each direction between Paris and Toulouse, with a journey time of around eight and a half hours. The service is part of the existing route which links London, Paris, Toulouse and Barcelona, but until now megabus.com has been prevented from carrying customers who want to travel between Paris and Toulouse only.

It is the first domestic service to be operated by megabus.com in France and comes as the company, which has been expanding rapidly in mainland Europe, continues to press for changes to outdated rules which for years have restricted coach travel within France. Coach operators are still banned from operating domestic services in France, unless special ‘cabotage’ approval is given. Even then, less than 50% of the seats sold can be used by customers travelling between cities in France. The other seats must remain empty or be filled with customers travelling from or to countries outside French borders.

Managing Director of megabus.com, Edward Hodgson said, ‘After spending more than a year pressing the authorities to allow us to offer a service, we are pleased we have finally been given approval. We aim to offer the lowest cost travel of any transport mode and we are confident this will open up travel to people on low incomes. It will also help the economy by making it easier to move between these two key cities for education, employment, business or leisure activities.’