MEGABUS UK has announced a "network reduction" as the operator looks to cut costs due to a lack of customer demand.

Megabus is a low-cost bus service that operates in the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada.

Describing themselves as the "market-leading value coach operator in England, Scotland and Wales", Megabus UK states that their aim is to make travel simple for customers.

Due to low passenger demand, the low-cost coach operator is to scale back its operations in England and Wales, from 4 December.

When the changes take effect, Megabus will continue to operate the below services:

  • All services within Scotland (under the Scottish Citylink and Megabus brands).
  • All cross-border services between Scotland and England and Wales.
  • All Falcon services in the Southwest of England.

This confirms that the Taunton to Bristol Airport transfer service will continue for now.

All other Megabus services within England and Wales will cease to operate from December 4.

However, the company’s cross-border services will continue to provide a number of connections in England and Wales, including links between Newcastle, Leeds, Sheffield and London; Manchester, Birmingham and London; and Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol and Cardiff.

All customers affected by the service changes will be contacted in the near future, and arrangements are being put in place to ensure customers who have already booked tickets can find alternative transport or will be provided with a refund.

The coach service offers a range of amenities, including Air conditioning, Wi-Fi, Charging points, Wheelchair accessible buses, and Toilet facilities. 

Megabus Managing Director Simone Walsh said: “This has been an extremely difficult decision.

"However, unfortunately, it is not sustainable for us to continue operating our current network as the customer demand is simply too low.

"So, we are making these changes to ensure that we have a more efficient network going forward.”

Tickets for Megabus and Falcon services can be booked on megabus.com and booking is available until 5 January, with all services during the festive period now available to book.

Simone Walsh added: “Megabus will continue to operate its long-standing cross-border services, which also provide connections within England and Wales.

"Our Falcon services between Plymouth and Bristol continue to run as normal, as do all our services across Scotland.

"We want to thank the many passengers who travel with us every day and will ensure that we continue to operate an affordable and high-quality service on the parts of the network that are unaffected by these changes.

"We will work hard to ensure that customers who have booked services that are being discontinued are looked after and offered an alternative option."