Bus ticket: do they ever give it to you before you get on the bus?

[thenavyone]

We are going to try for coach tickets in the resale.  My father in law normally comes with us but he is a blue badge holder so now way can get do the coach.

If he gets a ticket in the regular resale either myself or my husband will have to drive him down, but our tickets will be on the coach - argh!  Would they send one of us our tickets directly do you think, before we get on the coach?

[stardustjunkie]

I wish I could give you the answer that you want to hear but the whole point of a coach ticket is that the ticket holder travels by coach, and as a result you would be incredibly lucky to be given your ticket before you're on the coach.

I've done the coach package for 3 years (I think!) and I have always been given my ticket on the coach. Every time I've gone someone has tried to get their ticket before getting on and it's always been a flat out no. The only possible thing that may work is turning up and claiming you were told the coach would be wheelchair accessible (not that I condone lying).

I would highly recommend getting plenty of friends and family ready to help you get tickets and also keep an eye on the forums for information on secret ticket sales (after the resale).

As your Dad is a blue badge holder and has been before, I assume you already know about the disabled access and PA ticket that he gets with his ticket. It's worth looking at if you aren't aware as it could potentially mean you need one less ticket. www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk/information/deaf-and-disabled-info/pa-2-for-1-ticket-scheme/

Good luck - I'm sorry to say I don't think that coach will work out for you unless you're super lucky

[blackred]

Just try for normal tickets as you will have issues getting the coach, there are still secret resales to go after and that's the time to start thinking up desperate solutions.

I think if you do end up having to get coach tickets then make sure the lead booker is able to get the coach, they normally get handed all the tickets so they should be able to collect them and then meet the car contingent on site. This should definitely be a last resort though, no point worrying until the chance of general admission has gone!

[thenavyone]

We only just realised a PA doesn't need their ow  tickets, we've spent the last 2 years (That's how many he's been to) getting one ticket for everyone - haha.

I think we will try for ours in the coach sales and then get a friend to help drive him down as a PA if he gets one in the main sale.  I think I'd be gutted if we didn't try every sale going, we had 21 of us trying in the original sales and none of us got past the holding page - first time in 7 years.  I'm shitting myself TBH as would love to see Adele at Glasto.

[stardustjunkie]

I really do wish you luck - I'm glad you now know about the PA tickets!

If I hadn't already made a commitment to help a friend who missed out in the main sale, I'd offer to help you.

[thenavyone]

Thanks Stardust, I'm sure if the Glasto gods will be there, one way or another, I will be!  But thanks for the kind offer

[justperfect]

I've done the coach twice and both times tickets were dished out at a services about 2hrs into the journey. What we thought about doing was one to follow behind the coach in the van with all our gear in. Once the coach pulls in (which it has to do at some point)  the van also pulls in. We collect our tickets as they are being dished out including the one for our following driver and get back into the van and not the coach. Away you go.

[Cooter]

We asked politely and were given our tickets seconds before getting on the coach. Our luggage was just about to be loaded and then we asked the driver who seemed very reasonable as we did have a slight issue travelling by coach. Admittedly this was a few years ago so no doubt it'll be stricter nowadays, but then none of us had disabilities so you may get lucky.

Worth the risk? Yes, it's better than no tickets at all.

[thenavyone]

Grant hanks guys, we've been on the bus before, maybe 5 years ago, pre kids, but I think it'a a bit of a risk getting down there and pleading our case.  I'll try in the coach resale and then work out the rest from there, Hopefully it'll come good!

[Becks12]

In 2014 we got the coach and all tickets were given out as we got on the bus at London. The driver would only give each person their individual ticket though and checked the photo. Pretty sure that doesn't help you much though! 

Good luck in the resale, we got ours in it last year so it is possible. 

[The other Bellboy]

Went from Bath last year on the coach and we were given our tickets on the coach but before setting off. I'm sure there are strict rules given to all drivers but we all know that human nature will mean that not many will follow them exactly. In the end its going to be a lottery so very difficult to make a plan that will meet your needs exactly - good luck with whatever you decide to try for:)

[Lou1983]

You could just say you missed the bus, last year there was a guy who was really late and the driver said he would just take his ticket to the box office, he waited for him for a while though and he turned up eventually.  Might be a bit risky though. 

[thenavyone]

I'm too much of a wimp for that!

[Yoghurt on a Stick]

You could always have a quiet word with the coach driver explaining the situation, whilst simultaneously slipping a £20 note in to his/ her hand. I have little doubt that that would work. OK, it'll cost you a £20, but it would mean that you all get to drive down and back together.

 

PS. I've only ever slipped someone £20 before to 'assist' me with a need. It was a very small price to pay for an upgrade on a plane.

Edited March 26, 2016 by Yoghurt on a Stick

[acidstorm523]

On 21 March 2016 at 0:41 PM, justperfect said:

I've done the coach twice and both times tickets were dished out at a services about 2hrs into the journey. What we thought about doing was one to follow behind the coach in the van with all our gear in. Once the coach pulls in (which it has to do at some point)  the van also pulls in. We collect our tickets as they are being dished out including the one for our following driver and get back into the van and not the coach. Away you go.

Yes we have done this and met with the van at services. We got coach tickets in the resale, but then couldn't get coach seats for our kids because they were full. I emailed Seetickets with the problem, and whilst they wouldn't do anything directly, it helped to print off the emails and wave them at the driver who didn't really have time to look through the it all. Saying that, we have also been given tickets on the coach as soon as the doors shut...whilst the driver says he is not going to reopen them, inevitably he has to for some reason or another and you can hop off. A cheeky smile always helps

[acidstorm523]

They also have a stipulated services that they stop at as they can only drive without a break for a certain time, so it is possible to find out where that is going to be. From Brighton, it is always Southampton..

[Cooter]

On ‎25‎/‎03‎/‎2016 at 8:33 PM, Yoghurt on a Stick said:

You could always have a quiet word with the coach driver explaining the situation, whilst simultaneously slipping a £20 note in to his/ her hand. I have little doubt that that would work. OK, it'll cost you a £20, but it would mean that you all get to drive down and back together.

 

PS. I've only ever slipped someone £20 before to 'assist' me with a need. It was a very small price to pay for an upgrade on a plane.

 

Yes, this is part of the reason why our bus driver was very "reasonable" with our slight issue. It's surprising what an investment of £20 can do for you!

[Yoghurt on a Stick]

3 hours ago, Cooter said:

 

Yes, this is part of the reason why our bus driver was very "reasonable" with our slight issue. It's surprising what an investment of £20 can do for you!

I knew a coach driver once. He used to top up his meagre coach driving wage by stepping in to a major drug dealers shoes when that drug dealer went on 'holiday'. It was all set up - he got paid hansomely for fielding your mans calls and dishing out the goodies while he was away.