I’ve got what I believe to be a very good stats addon to this website, in that I’m able to see the search terms visitors use and then end up reading a page from this website. For example, today visitors have arrived after searching for how+do+i+reserve+tickets+for+a+bus+from+my+mobile, megaus+booking+problem, megabus+newport, bus+times+brighton+to+london, megabus+stand+for+brighton+coach+at+victoria, megabus+headoffice and megabus+stop+birmingham. It would be best if they’d ended up at megabus.com and seen their question answered there but they seem to get to the blog first. In a way some of the questions people frequently want to ask are a bit buried in the megabus.com website, often in the Terms and Conditions page which isn’t exactly light reading.

So my idea is to host an unofficial MegaBus FAQ here – unofficial in that it wont be MegaBus approved and unofficial in the sense that the answers will be those the enquirer is likely to receive from a driver rather than someone reading the Terms and Conditions out loud! For example on the question of ‘How much luggage can I take?’ my answer will be to quote the T & C’s “Passengers are advised that megabus.com will accept only one piece of luggage per passenger weighing no more than 20kg and no larger than the size of a standard suitcase. Passengers can also take on board one piece of hand luggage up to the size of a small to medium sized hold-all”. That’s it, when ‘push comes to shove’ you’ve no more rights than that. However, I’d point out if a driver is asked nicely and it’s not demanded as a right, the driver may well allow a little more if there is space. Plus, if the one case weighs more than 20Kgs the passenger should offer to load and unload it! The passenger may be allowed two bags, may be allowed one bag over 20Kg but it’s only because the driver is being helpful.

Here are just a few of the questions I first thought of:-

Are there really tickets for £1.00?
Where are the stops?
What if I miss the bus?
Can I catch an earlier bus?
Can I change the ticket, or cancel and get my money back?
How much luggage can I take Bikes, Chellos, frozen food etc.?
My luggage is valuable/fragile etc and I don’t want it stored in the hold?
Are child fares available?
What if the bus is late and I miss my plane/train/dinner/wedding etc.?
Will there be a toilet on the bus?
Can I bring food and drink onto the bus to have during the journey?
Can I sit on my own and not next to a stranger?
Can I book a window or aisle seat?
What should I do if I think the driver was rude and drove badly?
What should I do if I think the driver was polite and drove very well?

You’ll also notice that some aren’t even addressed on the megabus.com website. For example when passengers don’t want their expensive/fragile luggage in the hold – buy two tickets so your precious trumpet can sit on the seat next to you :-) At a pound a seat (if you’re quick enough it’s hardly expensive).

I really need suggestions for more questions. Thanks.