More Than Bog Standard


National Express launches luxury loo to encourage bathroom brainwaves



Friday 24 August 2007


Bathrooms can produce the best brainwaves, with 67 percent of people stating they have had a great idea while on the toilet, according to new research from coach operator National Express, to mark the launch of its new, unique, luxury coach loo.

The research revealed that time spent answering the call of nature can often be the most productive time in a person's day. As well as great ideas, 57 percent of people have had a telephone conversation, 64 percent have read a book and one in 12 read their Blackberries.

Gerry Price, Head of Engineering at National Express, who led the new toilet design team, comments:
"It is clear from this survey that in today's fast moving world, every second counts, even time spent on the toilet! We also know that having to use a toilet on public transport is often a barrier to people leaving their cars at home. We conducted detailed research among our customers to find out what they wanted, and it is with this in mind that we developed our brand new coach toilet."

National Express employed award-winning design consultant Blake Cotterill to assist with the development of the new toilet and also worked alongside Portuguese-based design company Alma design. It is brighter and more spacious, with LED mood lighting and a window. It also boasts an air-replacement system, which sucks out old air and replaces it with fresh air, to prevent smells entering the main coach area. Added to this, the bathroom is equipped with a mirror, automatic taps, dryer and soap dispenser to ensure the highest standards of hygiene, as well as rounded corners and a minimalist, modern layout that makes the toilet easier to clean.

Gerry Price continues:
"The challenge was to create an upmarket bathroom in a very small space. The new design has that 'wow' factor and we're confident customers will be impressed with the toilet, and will be happy to use it - although perhaps not to read a book, we don't want too many queues!"

National Express also asked travellers what they would like from the public transport toilet of the future. While large numbers welcomed standard fixtures such as mirrors (47 percent) and fresh smells (69 percent), one in three would like to hear music to 'go' to, 64 percent would like padded toilet roll provided and one in five would want to see perfume or aftershave provided to freshen up with.

Gerry Price says:
"We always welcome ideas from customers as to how we could improve our services, and we'd even like people to get in touch and tell us about their favourite loos! Who knows, perhaps one day the coach toilet will be more luxurious than toilets in the home!"

Travellers can experience the luxury loo on all new National Express Triaxle coaches travelling between Stansted Airport, London Golders Green and London Victoria coach station, one of the busiest routes on its network. The route operates every 10 minutes, 24 hours per day.

-ENDS-

For more information, please contact:
  • Joy Williams, National Express: 0121 423 8716
  • Sara Jenkins, Beth Zaltzman or Daisy Halliday, IAS Smarts: 0121 456 3199
Notes to editors:
Key findings from the research included:

Things people have done on the toilet:
  • 67 percent have had a great idea (73 percent of men / 65 percent of women)
  • 57 percent have spoken to someone on the phone (79 percent of men / 49 percent of women)
  • 64 percent have read a book (73 percent of men / 61 percent of women)
  • 56 percent have read a newspaper or magazine (89 percent of men / 43 percent of women)
  • 23 percent of women have done their make up, 17 percent of women have done their nails
  • 14 percent have written a shopping or 'to do' list (21 percent of men / 12 percent of women)
  • 32 percent of men have played video games
  • 6 percent have eaten or drank (16 percent of men / 2 percent of women)
  • 8 percent have read a Blackberry and replied to emails (21 percent of men / 4 percent of women)
  • 4 percent have used a laptop (11 percent of men / 2 percent of women)
  • 3 percent have learned a foreign language (2 percent of both men and women)
  • 49 percent just enjoy the quiet time (63 percent of men / 43 percent of women)
What people would like to see in the public transport toilet of the future:
  • 69 percent would like artificial 'fresh' smells (52 percent of men / 75 percent of women)
  • 36 percent would like music to 'go' to (37 percent of men / 35 percent of women)
  • 20 percent would like newspapers or magazine provided (42 percent of men / 12 percent of women)
  • 47 percent would like mirrors for make up / preening (11 percent of men / 61 percent of women)
  • 66 percent would like upmarket toiletries provided (28 percent of men / 69 percent of women)
  • 20 percent would like perfume or aftershave provided (26 percent of men / 18 percent of women)
  • 64 percent would welcome padded toilet roll (58 percent of men / 61 percent of women)
  • 71 percent want automatic taps, flush and soap dispenser (63 percent of men / 75 percent of women)
League of loos (consumers asked to rank which toilets they feel most comfortable using):
  1. Home
  2. Work
  3. Restaurant or pub
  4. Shopping Centre
  5. Public toilet
  6. Public transport toilet
  7. Portaloo

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