FirstGroup unveils new Greyhound buses
FIRSTGROUP yesterday unveiled the iconic Greyhound buses it plans to use for journeys between London, Portsmouth and Southampton.
The buses, which are named after women from American songs like “Peggy Sue”, will run hourly from Victoria to the south coast. They offer free Wi-Fi, power sockets for each passenger, air conditioning, free newspapers and leather seats.
Ticket prices for the route will start at £1, excluding a 50p booking fee for online reservations.
US bus operator Greyhound, which has been ferrying passengers across America since 1914 and is famed for its blue and grey livery, was acquired by FirstGroup two years ago.
In Britain, the Greyhound service – which will run between 5.00am and 9.30pm – is set to compete with rivals National Express and Megabus, which is run by Brian Souter’s Stagecoach.
“Since FirstGroup took over Greyhound in 2007, we have hoped to bring this famous brand across the Atlantic and I am absolutely delighted to reveal the first authentic Greyhound coaches in the UK.” chief executive Sir Moir Lockhead said.
Lockhead also said FirstGroup would bid for the troubled East Coast Main Line if the franchise is put out to tender over the next year, as is widely expected.
The government said it would take over the line after National Express admitted it would not be able to keep up its franchise payments to the Department of Transport.