The UK’s market-leading budget coach operator megabus.com today (19 April 2010) reported a 70% increase in passenger numbers on its cross-border services as flight disruption continues at UK airports.

megabus.com, operated by transport giant Stagecoach Group, offers more cross-border services than any other coach operator and has added hundreds of extra seats a day since the start of the impact of the volcanic eruption in Iceland last week.

Between Thursday (15 April) and yesterday (Sunday 18 April), megabus.com ran 42 additional vehicles on services between Scotland and England, carrying around 2,100 more passengers than normal.

megabus.com is planning to continue to offer extra capacity this week to help stranded Britons get home as the majority of UK flights remain suspended.

Ian Laing, megabus.com Operations Manager, said: “Demand for our cross-border services has gone through the roof since last Thursday and we expect the pattern to continue this week.

“We are the main operator of cross-border coach services in the UK and we are determined to play our part in keeping Britain moving at what is a very difficult time for the travelling public. Our team will continue to monitor the situation closely and add as many vehicles as we can to our schedules to meet the demand and help get people home.”

megabus.com services link some of Britain’s top destinations, including London, Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Newcastle, Leeds, Southampton, Cardiff, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Inverness.

megabus.com bookings can be made up to 15 minutes before departure either online at www.megabus.com, by phoning 0900 160 0900 or by visiting the ticket office at bus stations which offer megabus.com services. Full details are available online at www.megabus.com.