Greyhound buses set for UK debut
25 Aug 2009
FirstGroup, the British company that owns Greyhound Lines, plans to introduce budget Greyhound buses to Portsmouth and Southampton from 14 September. The company plans to add more destinations next year. Greyhound is known by its silver dog on the side of each coach.
Founded in 1914, Greyhound Lines, Inc. is the largest provider of intercity bus transportation, serving more than 2,300 destinations with 13,000 daily departures across North America.
It has become an American icon, providing safe, enjoyable and affordable travel to nearly 25 million passengers each year. The Greyhound running dog is one of the most-recognized brands in the world.
The company will run hourly Greyhound services in Britain, initially from Victoria in Central London to the South Coast.
The fares will start at £1.50, including a 50p booking fee, much lower than rail travel. The 41-seat Greyhound coaches have fewer seats than the average busses used by competitors, giving passengers more leg room.
Target groups for the service include students and sports fans. The core customer base is expected to be style-conscious and technologically savvy consumers aged between 16 and 24.