National Express took the idea for a commuter coach scheme from Spain, where the rail network is less extensive than in Britain and there is no stigma attached to travelling by bus.

The company bought Alsa, a family owned Spanish coach business and the country’s No 1 long-distance operator, in October 2005 for £250 million. Business travellers routinely use luxury coaches to get around Spain, because of the limitations of the rail network.

Alsa’s coaches have internet access and video onboard and food and drink is served on many routes. Station facilities are vastly superior to those in Britain. Regular passengers have priority access to waiting rooms and discounts on tickets.

The roll-out of bus lanes on Spanish roads has helped the coach business to thrive. Alsa’s premium inter-city buses have been at the forefront of work to cut emissions from public transport with biodiesel trials. National Express expanded its presence in Spain in 2007 with the £450 million acquisition of Continental Auto, the second-biggest coach and bus operator.

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