National Express is reporting a surge in travellers planning ahead and choosing coach to beat this weekend’s ThamesLink rail disruption. 

With no trains running between Brighton and Three Bridges on the 18th and 19th January and Southern Trains taking a longer route to London and Gatwick, the UK’s leading coach operator is encouraged by travellers pre-booking with them to beat the rail disruption.

John Boughton, commercial director for National Express UK Coach, said: “It is good to see that travellers are planning ahead and booking with us when rail lets them down. We have already seen a significant increase in sales on the affected routes compared to the same time last year and would encourage travellers who have not yet done so to book now to secure their seats.”

Advance bookings from Brighton to Gatwick for this weekend have increased by an impressive 137%, bookings have risen by 63% from Brighton to Heathrow; while the route to London saw a 50% increase compared to the same time in 2019*.

John added: “We are a 24/7 operation and with a national network like ours, we already have the services in place so it’s just a matter of increasing capacity should we need to. 

“Coach offers great value for money, with lots of benefits including power sockets, leather seats, air conditioning, a free entertainment app and power sockets. Plus, it’s the most environmentally friendly form of public transport – generating up to five times less carbon dioxide per passenger than the average car journey.”

For more information visit www.nationalexpress.com.