First Bus to operate late night services for Leeds fans watching England at World Cup
England’s opening group game against Croatia on Wednesday, June 17 kicks-off at 9.00pm UK time
Late night bus services will be operating for fans watching the World Cup in Leeds.
Leading operator First Bus is reminding supporters planning to watch England’s group games in the World Cup in pubs and bars across the city, that buses will be available to get them home after the final whistle goes.
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, June 17 kicks-off in Arlington, Texas at 9.00pm UK time. This is followed by Ghana, also at 9.00pm (Tuesday, June 23 in Boston) and the final group game in New Jersey against Panama, kicking off at 10.00pm UK time.
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.
“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.”
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 will be looking for travel options home at around 11.30pm following England’s weekday matches and after midnight when the Panama game ends.
Late night services operating in Leeds:
- 72 (Leeds - Bradford)
- 24 (Beeston - Leeds City Centre)