I did my first Oxford, Coventry, Birmingham trip yesterday and all went well. A couple of times I wondered if I was still on route because things didn’t look as I’d remembered them and then suddenly something would appear to reassure me! The only bad bit about the trip was the weather, it absolutely tipped down with rain all the way there and during my break. I’d hoped to go for another long walk while I was there but it was just too wet, so I slept a bit and watched part of a movie on my Blackberry.
The running times on the journey seem generous, generous enough to allow a 30 minute service station break and still be on time. If I’d not taken the break it would have meant sitting for 30 minutes at a bus stop (so as not to leave early) which seemed a far less attractive option than stretching my legs and having a latte.
Nik // Oct 14, 2007 at 17:19
Hope you enjoyed it in our neck of the woods!
Dennis Dash // Oct 14, 2007 at 01:35
Was very tempted to try the ‘NEC Connection’ last week as the Bus and Coach live show was on – it always amazes me how long people will travel and how much they will pay for just an hour at their destination. The M34 should give about 3 1/2 hours at the NEC so I think that is tolerable; time for a look round and a bite to eat.
Malcolm // Oct 12, 2007 at 08:10
Indeed. Adjusting the running times would also have the advantage of giving passengers longer at the NEC than is currently the case. At the moment the time between arrival and return from the airport (for the NEC) barely makes it long enough for anything other than a shortish visit. Another 60 minutes would make visiting the NEC by Megabus much more attractive.
Then again I quite like stopping for a latte and reading a newspaper …… perhaps it’s best left as it is ;-)
Dennis Dash // Oct 11, 2007 at 22:42
Believe me, the powers that be at Megabus have been made aware of the running time issues.
It seems obvious to a Wintonian that if one coach leaves Oxford at 1655 and another leaves Victoria Coach Station at 1700 then there will be quite a large difference in their arrival times in Winchester.
Lets hope that the powers that be choose to resolve this sooner rather than later – or Moto will continue to gain extra custom twice a day !!!
Malcolm // Oct 16, 2007 at 05:01
Thanks, Nik. I did. Have you any suggestions for things do during our nearly 3.5 hours layover in Birmingham? We park in Curzon St car park.