Swindon coach passengers are set to benefit after the National Express announced a new daily service from Bournemouth to Birmingham.

The nationwide coach service has announced a new daily route, numbered the 161, that will depart from Bournemouth to Birmingham calling at Southampton, Swindon, and Cheltenham before reaching its final destination. 

The route comes as the company announces plans to increase direct coach services for customers travelling between the south coast and the West Midlands. 

Ed Rickard, network director for National Express UK and Ireland, said: “With continued investment in our coach network, including the introduction of this new, direct route between Bournemouth and Birmingham, we are making it even easier for savvy travellers to save their money with convenient, great value travel and a guaranteed seat. 

“More and more people are choosing to travel with National Express as a reliable, affordable and sustainable way to get around, and we're responding by investing in new vehicles and services while delivering a brilliant customer experience for a relaxing, comfortable journey.”

The 160 route to Birmingham has also been revised to reintroduce Winchester to the Cross Country network.

The new route follows a number of added buses across the UK to meet a recent surge in coach travel.