Transport companies Megabus and National Express have 'temporarily' suspended all services across England and Wales in a bid to stop to the spread of coronavirus.
The decision also comes following a sharp decline in sales amid the ongoing lockdown - with only essential journeys to be made.
Both businesses announced last week they would suspend all services by Sunday, April 5.
However, in Scotland, Megabus say coaches are continuing to operate as usual.
What happens now that my journey has been cancelled?
Refunds are being offered to would-be travellers who have found their scheduled service cancelled.
A statement on the Megabus website reads: “Customers with a booked ticket to travel on our Megabus services in England and Wales who have been affected by this will receive an email and be refunded.”
Commenting on the decision, Stagecoach chief executive Martin Griffiths said: “We are continuing to work hard to ensure Stagecoach comes through this difficult period well placed for the significant long-term opportunities that we still see for public transport.
“We would like to thank the respective governments and our local authority partners for their support through this very challenging period.”
Following the government’s guidance to stay at home and stop all non-essential travel, we’ve taken the tough decision to temporarily suspend our megabus services in England and Wales after this Sunday. Read the update from our MD here https://t.co/xA0TneyeOX #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/2D7E2UVpxV
— megabusUK (@megabusuk) April 1, 2020
Which other public transport companies have temporarily stopped travel?
Stagecoach’s decision to temporarily suspend the service follows its competitor National Express putting a temporary hold on all of its scheduled national coach services.
Explaining the decision, managing director of National Express UK Coach, Chris Hardy, said: “Passenger numbers continue to fall as the public rightly follows Government advice to avoid non-essential travel.
“The decision to temporarily suspend all services is the right one based on the current unprecedented circumstances and I hope our passengers understand this.”
Similarly to Megabus, would-be passengers who have had their journeys cancelled will be issued with a full refund.
Yet unlike Megabus, these customers are also able to amend their travel plans for anytime within the next 12 months, free of charge.
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