A Look Around A Megabus Gold Sleeper - Carlisle Open Day May 2017

A look around a Stagecoach Megabus Gold Sleeper, Van-Hool Astromega Coach, reg SF13 FMG, Fleet Number 50304. These buses were purchased in 2013 for an overnight sleeper service between London and Scotland. The service was withdrawn on 21st May 2017 a few days before this open day. The buses will now be operating in regular seated mode for a while.
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[@iainjones5002]

Finding this video by chance, it brought back memories for me having travelled on these services on three occasions, always on the overnight service from London to Glasgow. Given that my previous experience of Overnight services between the above named cities, on either SBG in the 70's and 80's, latterly Scottish Citylink, or by NatEx, but always seated, the first time on this service was novel and it took a bit of getting used to, especially as I was lying down throughout on my bunk. I did achieve some sleep on the first trip but subsequent trips were perfectly ok and I slept throughout. The vehicles were quiet, warm and comfortable, with privacy curtains at each sleeping point and I awoke at my destination having slept well. I learnt from the drivers that during the daytime, these vehicles didn't park up all day, but were taken over by other drivers, after being converted back into normal seated layout and would be used on Express services between London and Bristol or South Wales cities. A changeover from fully seated to Sleeper configuration could take up to an hour, though some drivers managed to get it done in 45 minutes! It's a pity these services ceased, as they were popular and when I travelled on them, were always fully booked.

[@samuelbenbassatdufour371]

Hey Lain Jones, that a great insight you shared with us ! Thank you. Do you know why the service ended ? Do you remember what you paid for your 3 trips ?

[@billmillen29]

That driver is my hero!

[@carolinekelly3415]

Wow, I never knew this service existed. Comfort for those very long journeys throughout the U.K. thank you for sharing friends!!!!!

[@TheTransportLens]

Thanks. Unfortunately these big beasts are no longer in service here.

[@johnUB4478]

I can't believe it was that long ago! It was a great day! 😊

[@TheTransportLens]

I know same here. I also can't believe I've been doing this channel so long!

[@johnUB4478]

@@TheTransportLens keep up the good work 👍

[@rodneyfisher1593]

RIP MEGABUS GOLD I USE TO USE THIS SURVICE ALL THE TIE FROM LONDON TO CARDIFF

[@jketcham9004]

What were they like? never went on one. hot drinks, and could lie down?

[@sallicelerysecurityates1013]

Why, rip???

[@holly9598]

London to cardiff is nothing lmao. Try doing brighton to Newcastle

[@Jimbo-gi7xn]

I did Ashford Kent to Derry via Stranraer by coach years ago but there was no lying down..this would've been lovely

[@transporteruk80]

Nice

[@NHEFF09]

these look ideal for long journeys

[@TheTransportLens]

Yeah - I did wonder if the seat might be a bit 'slippy' though.

[@stephenholmes1036]

They were

[@robertp.wainman4094]

I believe Brian Souter got the idea from the Bristol Lodekka 'Deckerhomes' (that both he and I admired) of Top Deck in the 70's and 80's.' Although compared to what those baby's did - month long European Tours and their epic twelve weeker London to Kathmandu. . . . . the Megabus Gold service was nothing but a little hop! Nice try though.

[@yennefer559]

no got the idea from sleeper bus services already existing in 3rd world countries, older than the 70s

[@shivrambagal3907]

very nice video

[@TheTransportLens]

Thanks :)

[@yennefer559]

wish they still kept this round

[@TheTransportLens]

I think a lot of people do...

[@cjeam9199]

Aren't there more seats than there are beds? on the double side there are four seats in two facing pairs and then they convert into two beds and a hammock. Kudos to megabus for giving it a go though, shame it has been withdrawn.

[@TheTransportLens]

I know what you mean cjeam - I wondered the same thing but the driver had an answer which I can't remember right now.

[@k.h.4698]

Megabus gold has terminated service, according to ukmegabus.com. Too bad, it looked doable.

[@TheTransportLens]

Yes it's a shame but I guess it wasn't working out from a financial point of view for them or something.

[@deyuzhang830]

that is 2014 van hool tdx29！Now vanhool only sales tdx27 in 2017

[@juliesmith5567]

I would love to see that it is something of a change

[@TheTransportLens]

I'm not sure if there are any still about now :(

[@Chocowaaaah-]

@@TheTransportLensawww

[@Chocowaaaah-]

OMG I JUST SEEN ONE PASS MY HOUSE

[@richardmaughan1270]

These are the type of coaches in which Gordon's of Rotherham would love to have because of their football teams.

[@jwserge]

Good bus from Moscow to the Far East city Vladivostok )) about 5 to 10 days journey

[@TheTransportLens]

I'm not sure I could survive that long on a bus non-stop, even one with beds!

[@jwserge]

You should not survive, you should live meanwhile the journey ;) Where are you from?

[@rezaalan3991]

@@TheTransportLens in my country, you can take 5-7 days trip on regular bus with regular seat.

[@quintangwana7165]

I wish the Irish could do something Like that

[@erniewinters6349]

So if you booked one of these, would you have to turn you seat into a Bed?

[@TheTransportLens]

Guess so if you wanted to lie down. I don't think that Stagecoach is using them as overnighters at the moment though.

[@mohibj]

Any idea if these will come back

[@TheTransportLens]

My understanding is not but who knows with the current upheaval.

[@thebigquestionpodcast4958]

They should bring it back

[@TheTransportLens]

apparently it wasn't financially viable..... such a shame

[@RealBlaze7]

I’ve never been on a mega bud gold :( I just go on the normal megabus vanhool

[@TheTransportLens]

They're not running them anymore which is a shame

[@karlkalasky6066]

Didn't see the bathroom

[@iainjones5002]

That was located on the "downstairs" floor by the middle entry/exit door.

[@Gontijo80Anos]

Vim conhecer o seu canal! Quero dizer que você está de parabéns, excelentes postagens. Quero dizer que ganhou mais um inscrito e deixei meu like para fortalecer, eu estou começando agora e gostaria muito de poder contar com sua ajuda se for possível! Grande abraço e até mais

[@TheTransportLens]

Glad you enjoyed the videos. I didn't know there was much of a spotter community in Brazil :)

[@abijaypavithran8812]

Corona front design

[@mraidymaddful]

If that is Gold I would hate to see what Bronze looks like.......

[@dogexx9936]

USE NATIONAL EXPRESS IT'S GOOD THEY HAVE A NICE TOILETS IT'S GOOD I TRUST UUU

[@mama9048]

atouu SmhRoblox They are good but noones English who uses them.

[@CraftyWitch1990]

They're also on average £10 more expensive for the same service

[@ladymanv]

X

[@nkt1]

I wouldn't have fancied sleeping side by side with a stranger. Very awkward if you needed the loo.

[@TheTransportLens]

I'd be more worried about people breaking wind lol

[@iainjones5002]

There were Single berths available as well as Double Berths for Couples.

[@victoriawardrope9843]

This started off so well with buisness class style potential but then you added hammocks above ?

[@iainjones5002]

There weren't hammocks, but each sleeping berth consisted of a sturdy base which was locked into place on top of which was a mattress and bedding cover. On upper bunks, there was a netting barrier to prevent you accidentally rolling out of the sleeping berth. There was also a small net pocket within each berth to put belongings in with privacy curtains provided to shut out internal lighting on the corridor roof, plus thick curtains at the windows to block out lights from outside.

[@matthewboothman129]

These r for long distance, so why give the driver a very poor uncomfortable seat? Looks like a domestic seat, u took out coach seat for a domestic seat can I ask why? Do u not care about your drivers becssue that's what it looks like to me, typical stagecoach dont give 2 shiites about there drivers

[@TheTransportLens]

I've no idea why they made that decision....

[@matthewboothman129]

@@TheTransportLens to save money thats why, thats all what stagecoach care about, have no care for there drivers, sad company