Hi

If you search for National Express on your database, it offers 0121 460 8400, but this number no longer exists. (It also offers some rail numbers but these aren't relevant to coach queries).

If you search for the contact us number that National Express advertise, which is 08717 818178, it offers:

020 7730 0654, which gets through to a completely different company.

0121 254 6333, which is almost always engaged or if not, it literally rings forever (I held for half an hour before giving up - and this doesn't happen with 08717 818178 - you get straight through).

01304 242767, which does get through to a National Express booking line (yay!) but they can't put one through to customer services.

So

1) Please could you delete from the database all of the above numbers other than 01304 242767?

2) Can anyone track down a landline alternative to 08717 818178 that allows one to get put through to customer services?

Dave

Dave Rado, I have joined your posting to the existing thread for National Express Coaches. It was only reported to us a couple of weeks ago (see previous postings) that 0121 452 8000 /01 /02 /17 didn't work and that 01304 242767 does but is only the ticket sales office, rather than the main customer services number.

1) As requested, I have removed entries with 0121 460 8400, 0121 254 6333 and 020 7730 0654 in.

01304 242767 is now a verified alternative to 0871 781 8178 and 0871 781 8181 with a note which clearly states (well I think it's quite crystal clear) that it is bookings only and not customer services.

2) Reviewing this thread we have generally not had an alternative for National Express. All we can do is line up what we do know:

The number 0121 460 8400 was previously the head office switchboard. It now goes through to a message which I recognise as being part of an office telephone system. Therefore, I suggest that the number is in service but that the extension it routed to is no longer there. So, perhaps others in that range might work. I might be worth trying, i.e. 0121 460 8401 etc.

Let us know what you find. I can add entries with any numbers that are found to work.

3) I comes up for a search of National Express for me. Try it again as the entries now in the database are new ones.

This is an interesting snippet from the National Express website:

"How do I arrange assistance for my journey?
     
If you have a mobility impairment or other disability please call us at least 36 hours before you are due to travel on 03717 81 81 81 (0044 3717 81 81 81 from overseas).

Our lines are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Alternatively, you can send us an email at DPTH@nationalexpress.com

Click here to access our Assisted Travel Page which also contains our Disabled Code of Practice.

A textphone is provided for customers who are deaf or hard of hearing on 0121 622 2717 (0044 121 622 2717 from overseas)."

Note that they have amended the Disability helpline to an 0371 number, and also their text phone line is in the "622" range. Perhaps another number in this range may get you customer services?

Just as an after thought, I suppose the 03717 is classified as a geographical number rather than a 10p per minute one as opposed to the 08717 one that *does* cost 10p per minute? I never thought of that. My call plan gives me free calls to 01, 02, 03 and 0845/0870 so hopefully it will be included. Anyway I'm sure others will know for sure one way or the other. 

Thanks for the confirmation, bigjohn. I was hoping/thinking that would be right. Well hopefully that will do the trick for people wanting to book tickets or speak to customer services. Just say you were having problems with the website or use their "contact us" form on the website requesting a call back as a last resort. 

Good Afternoon Skoob

Thanks for the update regarding National Express Coaches.

Sadly I feel it's not a surprise that they have done this.  Perhaps a phone system update or a change in number routing has caused this.

I have removed the 01304 alternative to the 0871 number based on it no longer being recognised, however should another alternative be found, the entry can be reinstated easily.

With regards to the PDF link, I will look at the best way of getting that placed on the database as an alternative to calling the 0871 number for NatEx Coaches.

Thanks again,