News / Transport
National Express celebrates 100 years of coaches between Bristol and London
The first ever Bristol to London express coach service launched 100 years ago on February 11, 1925.
On this day, Greyhound Motors Ltd launched the first daily express coach service from Bristol to London. A service running in the opposite direction, from London to Bristol, also began on the same day.
Bristol built coach arriving in Victoria in 1966 – photo: MSC collection
To celebrate this, National Express are partnering with the Bristol Omnibus Vehicle Collection, for a heritage Bristol Greyhound coach, one that was preserved by Mike Walker, to be joined by a Caetano Levante 3A coach from Edwards Coaches, a National Express partner operator.
The Greyhound name remained part of Bristol Omnibus’ long-distance coach services until 1972, when the service was rebranded as National Express.
One hundred years after the first service, the National Express, the UK’s largest scheduled coach operator, now offers over 30 daily routes between Bristol and London.
This service now takes 2 hours 15 minutes, with fares starting from £4.90 one-way.
Ed Rickard, the network director for the National Express, said: “We’re celebrating this significant milestone to recognise that Greyhound Motors made a bold move launching their express coach service 100 years ago, at a time when a return ticket from Bristol to London cost the equivalent of £1.
“In today’s money that would be over £50, yet here we are today offering more great value services between Bristol and London than any other coach company and demonstrating how those in the know can enjoy frequent and reliable travel compared with other public transport options”.
First London service in 1925 – photo: Bristol Omnibus
National Express’ popular 040 Bristol to London route is operated by Edwards Coaches, who are also celebrating 100 years since its founders entered the public transport industry.
Today, Edwards Coaches runs around 250 vehicles across a wide range of services and National Express routes.
Main photo: Simon Ingham
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