EasyBus

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The correct title of this article is easyBus. The initial letter is shown capitalized due to technical restrictions.

easyBus is an intercity express coach operator in the United Kingdom. It was founded by entrepreneur Stelios Haji-Ioannou, and is part of the easyGroup.

easyBus is a no frills operator in a similar vein to Megabus, but offers services using 16 seat Mercedes minibuses on services from London to London Luton Airport. The service from London to Milton Keynes has been discontinued as of 25 February 2006. Tickets are predominantly sold over the internet, although recently passengers have been able to purchase tickets from the driver. Passengers also have to pay for an extra seat if they intend to carry large items of luggage on the service. easyBus buses are maintained and operated by MK Metro, the largest provider of local bus services in Milton Keynes, under contract.

[edit] History

easyGroup first announced its intention to operate no frills express services in 2003, initially in competition with National Express along the London - Birmingham corridor. However it wasn't until 2004 that easyBus started service, on the London to Milton Keynes route, however the threat of competition had forced National Express to offer its own discounted fares to and from London on several routes as well as the introduction of Megabus, a subsidiary of the Stagecoach Group with a similar philosophy of no frills travel, albeit with 90 seat double deckers and not minibuses. To keep costs down easyBus originally used Hendon, in north London as its terminal point and a bus stop in central Milton Keynes (instead of the out of town Milton Keynes Coachway used by National Express). Shortly after opening up for business easyBus launched its second route to Luton Airport in competition with National Express' Jetlink subsidiary. In Spring 2005 easyBus changed its London terminus from Hendon to its more central location, in Baker Street.