A sleeper bus, also known in the USA as an entertainer coach and in Europe as a nightliner, is a type of specially adapted coach, often used to transport bands and their technicians and road crew between cities and shows.
In Europe, these vehicles are full-sized coaches, but are only designed internally to carry between 8 and 18 passengers. There are always full galley facilities, comfortable lounges and bunk beds to allow the passengers to eat, relax and sleep during the journey to the next gig or concert. These vehicles sometimes have blacked out or mirrored windows, allowing passengers to see out, but preventing fans from peering in. They are well equipped, as the comfort of the passengers is paramount. DVD players, large screen TV, and game systems are now the norm, while some vehicles even have personal DVD players and screens in each bunk.
Well known bands such as Bon Jovi or U2 may use as many as seven or eight sleeper buses on their tours to accommodate the many road crew required. These bands rarely travel on the bus though; they use air transport or limousines or a luxury splitter Tour Bus, leaving their crew members to travel by bus. Smaller, less well-known bands will usually travel on the bus along with their tech crew.
Sleeper coaches have come a long way since the old days when ex-National Express coaches were retired into sleeper coach use. Nowadays, the leading companies are buying new coaches, which after fitting out, cost over £350,000 (US$535,000), though the rates for these coaches are not much more than conventional coaches.
Both in the United Kingdom and the United States, there has been an increase of expectations: TV and video games in every bunk, 3G internet access, coffee machines, wide memory foam mattresses, decent air conditioning, etc.
Some travel companies have these as mobile hotels, taking tourists to locations where there is no hotel, or there are long distances overnight.
Video Sleeper bus
China
In China, sleeper buses are a common means of long-distance transportation. They are slightly more expensive than trains, but also a little faster, and tickets are more readily available. There have been a number of fatal crashes involving these buses in China.
Maps Sleeper bus
India
In India, these buses are used for inter city travel and are operated by both the government and private bus companies. They are operated between cities which are 6 hours to 10 hours apart by road. The journeys usually start late in the evening or at midnight and are scheduled so that most of the travel is at night. This service is a good alternative to trains, as seats in trains get booked well in advance. Also, these buses are seldom filled beyond capacity.
Several State Transport units such as the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) and the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) also operate sleeper bus services.
United Kingdom
Sleeper services, open to the general public, are known to have existed in the late 1920s and early 1930s. At least two such services operated, from London to Liverpool (The Albatross Sleeping Car Co.) and London to Manchester/Liverpool, run by a company called Land Liners Ltd. But the vogue passed, until 2011.
On August 2, 2011, the Stagecoach Group announced it was launching a new Sleeper coach service, open to the general public, using 'bendybuses'. This service is operated under the Megabus (United Kingdom) brand, offering overnight travel on a budget. These coaches will operate between the cities of Glasgow and London, leaving Glasgow at 23:15 and arriving in London at 07:20, and departing from London at 23.59 and arriving in Glasgow at 8:05. In addition to a normal seat, each passenger using the service will be offered a berth for the duration of the journey. Each of the berths, which are laid out in sets of three, with just a curtain for privacy, will be kitted out with a reading light, bedding, eye mask and toothbrush.
Trial journeys started on 5 September 2011. The service officially started on 21 October 2011. The service was officially terminated on 21st May 2017 with the company stating that while "the service was popular, unfortunately, the overall level of demand dropped".
Also known as
See also
- List of buses
References
External links
- "Sleeper Motor Coach Has Two Story Berths", January 1933, Popular Mechanics article and drawing on 1930s era sleeper coaches
- Band Bus information website
- UK sleeper bus services in the 1920/30's
Source of article : Wikipedia
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