Archive News 2010
Update: 2 December 2010
Daily Service Status updates for commuters
The present spell of severe weather has caused disruption to road and rail services all over the country.
Did you know we publish daily online Service Status Updates for our scheduled Gravesend to London commuter service? If any problems are reported that affect our service you'll find the details at www.reliance-travel.co.uk/traffic
Update: 9 November 2010
Christmas/New Year Commuter Coach Schedule 2010/11
We run a modified commuter coach schedule between Gravesend and London during the Christmas and New Year period.
You'll find full details in our Commuter section. Please make sure you check whether your journey will be affected. If you have any further questions about your journey please don't hesitate to contact us as soon as possible.
Our office opening hours also change during the Christmas/New Year break, so please make sure you buy the tickets you require as soon as possible.
Update: 21 October 2010
10 Good Reasons to Commute with Reliance
Reason Number 3: a choice of Gravesend area pick up/drop off points.
Reason Number 3: Choice of Gravesend area pick up/drop off points
We have many pick up/drop off points in and around Gravesend. Which one is nearest your home? No more long journeys to and from the train station.
Find out more reasons to commute with Reliance Travel on our Commuter page.
Update: 28 September 2010
Winter commuting? More comfort and convenience with Reliance coaches
The winter months are miserable for commuters - dark and cold when you wake up; dark and cold when you leave work.
We can help make it more bearable. Instead of trekking all the way to the railway station to catch a train, why not catch one of our luxury commuter coaches departing from a street near your home? Chances are, we can drop you off nearer your workplace in London, too.
Now wouldn't that be a big improvement? A better way to start the day? And in the evening we'll drop you off nearer your home, too. Less hassle. Less stress.
Check out the detailed timetables in our Commuting section to find your nearest departure point. We have an extensive choice of pickup points on all our routes. You can see the exact location of each pickup point on our Interactive Route Map, including detailed aerial photos of each pickup point.
Our range of season tickets offer significant savings compared to other modes of transport, but to start with why not buy a daily or weekly ticket and put us to the test?
Update: 27 Aug 2010
Hiring a coach reduces road congestion
Coach travel can help reduce traffic congestion.
Travelling by coach causes less pollution, per passenger kilometre, than the equivalent journeys made by the same sized group of train or car passengers.
When you hire a Reliance Travel coach you can significantly reduce the environmental impact of your events or journeys, compared to relying on numerous personal vehicles for transport, or taking the train.
One of the major benefits is reduced road congestion.
If the passengers on a typical 49 seater Reliance Travel coach were all to travel instead in private cars this would require a fleet of cars typically numbering between 15 and 35 vehicles. Obviously the exact number will depend on the demographics of the passengers and the reasons for their journey.
Clearly, however, the coach 'consumes' a lot less road space than the equivalent fleet of cars.
Update: 29 Jul 2010
Cost saving Airport Transfers by private coach
Reliance Travel offers huge cost savings on airport transfers for groups of air passengers.
A private coach transfer to and from the airport is often the most convenient and cost effective mode of transport if you have a group of people travelling by air.
Compared to using taxis, trains or public buses, the cost savings can be enormous.
There are other advantages too. No one gets lost. No one has to struggle with baggage. Everyone in your group arrives at the right place at the right time. The journey is door to door, and it's probably the least stressful way of travelling to or from an airport.
We have vast experience collecting groups from and delivering them to airports including London Heathrow (LHR), London Gatwick (LGW), Stansted (STN), Luton (LTC), London City (LCY) and Manston Kent International (MSE).
Arrivals and departures can be a stressful time for airline passengers, so we do our best to make the transfer as smooth and painless as possible. Our drivers are very experienced in dealing pleasantly and efficiently with passengers and their baggage.
For more information, and to work out what the cost per head will be, just give us a call on 01474 322002.
Update: 28 Jun 2010
How to organise a Theatre Trip for your group
Theatre trips are easy to organise.
Increasing numbers of association secretaries, club chairmen and enterprising individuals are organising their own coach excursions for their members, friends and families.
Do you know six people? Do each of them know six people? Result! You've got yourself a coach load!
It's not difficult to fill up a 49 seater luxury coach. And usually you'll find that the cost per passenger works out very economically even without a full load.
Theatre trips are very popular, either visiting a theatre in London or one of the many fine venues in the surrounding counties. The prestigious Yvonne Arnaud theatre in Guildford, for example, with its attractive riverside setting and excellent restaurant, is a popular destination.
A typical trip might involve the journey to your chosen venue, the performance, a meal either before or after the performance at a local restaurant, and the comfortable trip home.
It's not difficult to organise a trip like this, even if you've never done it before. If you need some tips, just give us a call on 01474 322002.
Update: 21 May 2010
Be nine feet tall - see over hedges and fences!
Look down at the world from your vantage point nine feet above the ground.
One great advantage of travelling by luxury coach, rather than by car or minibus, is the height of your seat above the ground.
Typically your eyelevel will be about eight or nine feet above the ground. So everywhere you go you'll be looking over the hedgerows and fences and seeing all the interesting and beautiful views of the countryside that car travellers can't see.
In towns, too, you have an interesting vantage point, staring down at all the street activity and the passers by. They are not really aware of you, but you can see them from behind your subtly tinted panoramic window several feet above. It's the perfect 'people watching' scenario and it adds enjoyment and interest to the journey for many passengers.
Update: 20 April 2010
Daily traffic updates for commuters
Did you know we offer daily online Traffic Updates for our scheduled Gravesend to London commuter service? If any problems are reported that affect our service you'll find the details at www.reliance-travel.co.uk/traffic
You can also sign up for Email Notification of potential problems. We only send an email when there is something important to tell you - which fortunately is not very often, statistically - so you won't be flooded with unnecessary emails every day.
Please sign up for these useful Email Notifications on our Traffic Updates page.
Update: 20 April 2010
Summer's nearly here - but don't delay your bookings
Finally the weather is brightening up. Let's hope we'll have a beautiful Summer.
If you're planning any coach travel for your group during the Summer months, please try and make your booking as soon as possible. Leaving things to the last minute in the hope of getting a better deal may prove to be a mistake, because despite the recession and general gloom and doom, people like to travel - and coach travel is a very economical way of travelling.
You may find that availablility during the Summer is limited if you leave it too late. There's nothing worse than having all your event and venue bookings set in stone and then discovering you can't find the transport to take you there! So why not keep your stress levels down, make your booking as soon as possible and lock in the dates you need?
Update: 18 March 2010
Save money with a Season Ticket
Substantial savings when you buy a Season Ticket.
Our Annual Season Ticket for commuters on our Gravesend to London service, which currently costs £1,850 per year, saves you more than 50% off our full price ticket prices.
The Six Monthly and Monthly Season Tickets are great value too, but to really maximise your savings it's best to go for the Annual Season Ticket. It's surprising how much your savings will add up to over a period of time.
If you find the initial outlay for an Annual Season Ticket a bit daunting, check whether your employer offers a season ticket loan scheme. You may find they are prepared to do this, even if it's not something they actively promote. There's certainly nothing to lose by asking.
It's also worth mentioning that our Annual Season Ticket is several hundred pounds cheaper than an Annual Rail Season Ticket. Another good reason to choose the coach option!
If you have any questions about our Season Tickets, please visit our Tickets and Fares page, or give us a call on 01474 322002.
Update: 19 February 2010
School trips at sensible prices
Leeds Castle, near Maidstone, Kent, a popular historical destination for school trips.
At Reliance Travel we have years of experience taking school children all over the country for educational visits or sporting fixtures.
Our coaches are all recent luxury models with the latest safety systems and technological innovations. Full climate control is standard, as are panoramic double glazed windows and comfortable seats with safety belts.
Our drivers are CRB approved, and if you ask them they'll usually be delighted to explain to the children how the coach works, and some of the factors involved in driving it and maintaining it.
We know how tight school budgets are nowadays, and we're more than happy to work with schools to find a cost effective solution to your travel requirements.
Just give us a call on 01474 322002 to discuss your current and future requirements.
Update: 21 January 2010
10 Good Reasons to Commute with Reliance:
Reason Number 8: a clean environment.
Reason Number 8: Clean environment
No beer cans or litter strewn all over our seats and floor. Our coaches are clean and fresh every day. A clean, comfortable environment makes your journey far more pleasant.
Find out more reasons to commute with Reliance Travel on our 10 Reasons to Commute with Reliance page.
