First Bus encourages fans to avoid ‘extra time’ after England games in the World Cup

First Bus is encouraging fans to avoid ‘extra time’ after watching England’s group games in the World Cup in pubs and bars across the country.

And the operator is reminding supporters that buses will be available to get them home after the final whistle.

Late evening buses and some overnight services will be operating in 10 towns, cities and regions in England: Bath, Bristol, Berkshire, Essex, Leeds, Norwich, Portsmouth, Southampton and Wessex/Dorset.

England’s opening group game against Croatia on Wednesday 17 June kicks-off in Arlington, Texas at 9:00pm UK time. This is followed by Ghana, also at 9:00pm (Tuesday 23 June in Boston) and the final group game in New Jersey against Panama, kicking off at 10:00pm UK time.

Pubs and bars are expected to be crowded, with hospitality technology provider, Zonal reporting that bookings for England’s opening match are up by 184 per cent compared to a normal trading day.

Other data from the eating out and drinks sector reveals that one in four adults plan to watch matches in pubs and bars. Among those aged under 30, this rises to 37 per cent.

Pubs and bars are allowed to stay open up to 30 minutes after a game finishes, which means fans looking for travel options home at around 11:30pm following England’s weekday matches and after midnight when the Panama game ends.

Rob Pymm, Director of Customer Proposition at First Bus, said: “With busy streets as people leave pubs and bars, the bus is a great way to avoid waiting around for other ways to get home. Fans can avoid this ‘extra time’ by taking the bus with a double-decker able to carry around 90 passengers. It’s an affordable, sustainable way to travel.”

He added: "We’re as excited as all England fans about our group games in the World Cup.

“Taking the bus is the easiest way to get into town and city centres. We want to play our part in helping to make sure fans can experience the excitement and drama, knowing we’ll get them home after the final whistle.”

Ends

Areas and services are:

Bath and Bristol

• A4 (Bath ↔ Bristol Airport via Newbridge, Saltford, Keynsham, Brislington, Hengrove and Highridge)
• X39 / 39 (Bath ↔ Bristol via Newbridge, Saltford, Brislington and Temple Meads Station)
• 75/76 (Hengrove ↔ Cribbs Causeway via Withywood, Bishopsworth, Bedminster, Bristol City Centre, Bishopston, Horfield, Filton and Patchway)

Berkshire

• A4 (Heathrow Central Bus Station ↔ Cippenham via Colnbrook, Langley and Slough)
• 3 (Slough ↔ Uxbridge)
• 7 (Britwell ↔ Heathrow)

Essex

• 28 (Local cross-Essex route linking Southend, Leigh-on-Sea, Westcliff and Basildon)
• X20 (Express service linking Colchester, Chelmsford and Stansted Airport)
• X30 (Express between Southend, Chelmsford and Stansted Airport)

Leeds

• 72 (Leeds - Bradford)
• 24 (Beeston - Leeds City Centre)

Norwich

• Blue Line 25 (Frequent cross-city services between the Rail Station, city centre, University of East Anglia and Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital)

Portsmouth, Fareham & Gosport

• E1/E2 (Fareham ↔ Gosport local frequent service)
• X4 (Express service between Southampton and Portsmouth)
• 9 (Fareham ↔ Gosport)
• 3 (Fareham ↔ Southsea)
• 2 (Gunwharf ↔ Paulsgrove cross-city route)
• 7 (City Centre ↔ Wecock Farm)
• 8 (The Hard ↔ Clanfield inter-urban route)

Wessex/Dorset

• 1 (Weymouth ↔ Portland via Wyke Regis, Fortuneswell and surrounding areas)
• 10 (Weymouth ↔ Dorchester via Radipole, Upwey and Poundbury)