National Express adding new south coast route

National Express is to increase direct coach services for customers travelling between the south coast and the West Midlands.

From Friday 12 April 2024, National Express is to introduce a new daily 161 service departing the coastal town of Bournemouth, calling in at Southampton, Swindon and Cheltenham before heading to Birmingham. It is to be operated by Lucketts Travel, part of the National Express Transport Solutions arm of the business.

The new service also adds Swindon to the cross-country coach network operated by National Express, with new journey options including Swindon to Birmingham, Southampton and Bournemouth, and Cheltenham to Southampton and Bournemouth.

This latest investment adds more direct, efficient services connecting cities, towns and coastal areas. It follows a number of new routes introduced by National Express across its UK-wide network last year to meet growing customer numbers. It also announced the purchase of 130 new vehicles that will both replace some of the existing fleet and add to its inventory.

“…we are making it even easier for savvy travellers to save their money with convenient, great value travel and a guaranteed seat” – Ed Rickard, Network Director for National Express UK and Ireland

Ed Rickard, Network Director for National Express UK and Ireland, said: “With continued investment in our coach network, including the introduction of this new, direct route between Bournemouth and Birmingham, we are making it even easier for savvy travellers to save their money with convenient, great value travel and a guaranteed seat.

“More and more people are choosing to travel with National Express as a reliable, affordable and sustainable way to get around, and we’re responding by investing in new vehicles and services while delivering a brilliant customer experience for a relaxing, comfortable journey.”

National Express is also amending other services from 12 April in an effort to provide customers with more efficient journeys.