A double-decker bus has been given an upgrade for one day only – to become an exclusively ‘first-class’ ride. Transformed by Virgin Money Link opens in a new window, the iconic red London bus included a literal red carpet down the aisles and fresh flowers in each set row, with riders greeted on board, shown to their deluxe seating, and served with complimentary champagne, soft drinks and high-end canapes.
Those on the bus were driven past iconic landmarks such as Big Ben, the River Thames and the Southbank. For peckish riders on the bus travelling from Charing Cross to the London Eye, the on-board menu featured miniature beef Yorkshire pudding, goat’s cheese and tomato shells, vegan cauliflower pakoras and pastel de natas.
Riders on this bus weren’t subjected to any of the top commuting gripes, which research of 2,000 adults* revealed as delays (47 per cent), bad smells (39 per cent) and rush hour crowds (39 per cent). According to the poll, of the 79 per cent who have taken public transport, loud phone conversations, others sneezing and coughing, and fare increases were other common complaints.
Emma Isaac, chief marketing officer at Virgin Money, which is adding ‘extra to ordinary’ this spring, said: “We all know how brilliant it can be to get an unexpected treat on an otherwise very ordinary day. And, as research has shown, the average commute can be home to some common irritations, from horrible smelling food to packed rides to and from home.
“We thought the classic double decker was due a refresh – and an elevated, extraordinary experience seemed like the best way to go to help brighten up people’s days and boost their moods.”
The research also found that 60 per cent of respondents would like to travel first-class on public transport, and people would like to see more luxurious seating (41 per cent), pleasant interiors (37 per cent) and a welcome drink (31 per cent) included in a first-class area of a bus. In good news for those onboard the bus, seats were freshly upholstered with red velvet cushions and custom headrest covers throughout the lower deck – making for a more memorable commute.
The perfect commute for people would also include no traffic, free onboard Wi-Fi, and better air conditioning or heating. Beautiful views and free high-end food and drinks were also among the top desires – something the Virgin Money bus offered to all riders. Half of all respondents wish buses had first-class areas - and 45 per cent have never travelled in any form of first-class transport, according to the OnePoll data.
Emma Isaac from Virgin Money, which is adding extra to ordinary for its customers with travel perks, cashback and savings offers, and rewards from the Virgin family, added: “The research has shown there are many gripes that Brits typically have with an ordinary commute.
“We’ve all experienced sitting next to someone who’s eating something that’s a little pungent or being on packed transport at rush hour. Hopefully, those that took the bus thought their journey was anything but ordinary for all the right reasons.”
TOP 20 PUBLIC TRANSPORT COMMUTING GRIPES
- Delays 47%
- Bad smells 39%
- Rush hour crowds 39%
- People sneezing and coughing 34%
- Loud phone conversations 34%
- Fare increases 33%
- Having to stand up for the entire journey 29%
- Someone playing videos/music out loud on their phone 29%
- Stains on seats 27%
- Bad weather 25%
- Missing the bus/train/tram/underground 25%
- Chewing gum stuck on table/seats/floors 23%
- Litter in the aisles/on the seats 22%
- Noisy children 22%
- Slow walkers 21%
- Vehicle breakdowns 20%
- Route changes 18%
- Sudden stops 17%
- People eating nearby 16%
- Ticket machine problems 16%
*About the research
The survey was carried out by OnePoll in February 2025 with 2,000 UK adults who commute.