UK* Coach Passengers Can Celebrate Their Own Independence Day on 4 July

Thousands of National Express customers will be able to spread out and relax across two seats when they travel by coach from 4 July 2005.

After introducing many new dynamic fare initiatives such as funfares from as little as £1 and Go Anywhere fares for £9 return, National Express' latest travel innovation will give customers the option of booking two seats together for sole occupancy for an additional £5 on selected routes and services.

This extra seat will guarantee added comfort and privacy allowing passengers to stretch out and enjoy valuable personal space with which to read, sleep, work or study whilst 'on the go'.

"This is a revolutionary travel scheme that will guarantee travellers the seat next to them for the duration of the journey and will encourage many more people to consider using the coach," commented Ian McInnes, Commercial Director for National Express. "Customers will be able to spread out and relax, not having to worry about the coach filling to capacity at the next pick up point, then having to share valuable personal space. Taller and larger people will love the extra room to relax and there are a growing number of customers who want to work or sleep whilst they travel."

'Next to you' customers will also benefit from the added advantage of being pre-boarded allowing them to choose where they want to sit on the coach prior to other customers being seated. A special head-rest cover will be issued, which can then be put on the adjoining seat indicating that it is 'reserved' and cannot be used.

The 'next to you' seat costs just an extra £5 for a single trip and £10 for a return and is currently available on selected routes and services. "Journeys will become even more relaxing and £5 is not a large sum to pay for 100% more space", added Ian, "In the future we will expand the initiative to more towns and cities in the UK, hopefully encouraging more people to get out of their cars and onto public transport, as one of the main reasons car users give for continuing to go it alone is the fact that they like their personal space."

The 'next to you' seat campaign is being launched on 4 July, but can be booked from 20 June, on thousands of National Express seats per week on selected routes and services across the UK*.

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Notes to editors:

*The selected routes and services are:
- 450 Nottingham to/from London
- 540/541 Manchester to/from London
- 787 Cambridge to/from Heathrow
- 777 Birmingham to/from Stansted
- 200 Bristol to/from Gatwick
The 'next to you' seat is only currently available if the customer books their ticket online at www.nationalexpress.com. To book the seat 'next to you', simply book a ticket on www.nationalexpress.com, using the journey planner. If the seat 'next to you' is available, the customer will be offered the chance to add it to their booking when the fare is chosen.
If a customer has requested special assistance through the National Express Disabled Person Travel Helpline then they will precede a 'next to you' customer when boarding.
National Express created an dedicated project team to ensure this initiative was completed and in operation within 100 days of its conception.
'Next to you' customers have the option of taking additional hand luggage onto a coach.
'Next to you' seats can be purchased with all ticket types, even funfares which start from as little as £1. A customer cannot allow another person to travel in their 'next to you' seat unless they have their own valid ticket. Normal terms and conditions of carriage apply.

For further information please contact Joy Williams in the National Express PR department on 0121 423 8716.

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