Mike’s bus shift clocks up three million miles

Meet Britain’s most-travelled bus driver – the National Express veteran who has racked up more than 40 years and three million miles behind the wheel.

Mike Davies, 68, covers the coach company’s longest direct service – the route from Edinburgh to Plymouth, via Taunton.

Granddad-of-five Mike started his career in the transport industry in 1970 as a bus conductor.

He has driven National Express’ longest direct route – the 580-mile 532 and 336 services – for the past eight years.

Mike, from Kirkcaldy, said: “National Express is a British institution and it’s impossible to travel any distance on the UK’s motorways without spotting one.

“Everyone has a memory of a National Express and there aren’t many companies you can say that about.

“I’ve seen it all over the years and coaches have really changed – scratchy velvet seats went out years ago – it’s all leather now and technology has been a real game changer.

“It’s amazing to think the company is 45 and exciting to think about what the coming years will bring.”

Since the company launched, National Express coaches have clocked up 3.5 billion miles. The intercity operator traces its origins to 1972 when scheduled coach services run by the National Bus Company were united under one brand, known as National.

To celebrate, the company has raided the archives and dug out a string of old photographs and marketing material.

Some of the images date back to 1966 when coaches came under the National Bus Company’s umbrella.

The company also now operates Dundee’s city buses under the Xplore Dundee subsidiary.

Picture: SWNS. National Express coach driver Mike Davies, who has racked up three million miles behind the wheel.