FEATURE/Eurobus adds free English Channel crossing to unlimited travel passes.

LAKE WORTH, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE FEATURES)--Oct. 10, 1995-- Eurobus, the new motor coach service offering unlimited travel passes in Europe, said it will now give free passage across the English Channel to all pass holders.

Eurobus connects 23 cities in 12 European nations with a pass system similar to Eurail.

The new link to England means Americans can fly to London and enjoy unlimited bus travel on the Continent for less than $200.

The Eurobus 14-day unlimited travel pass costs $139 for passengers under 27; $189 for adults over age 26.

"This new feature makes Eurobus a spectacular bargain," said Eurobus Founder Max Thomas. "The free English Channel crossing is worth the price of the pass alone."

Headquartered in London, the Eurobus network operates on a pass system similar to the Eurailpass that allows travelers to hop on or off the route for periods of up to three months.

Prices are lower than Eurailpasses, but Eurobus services fewer cities than Eurail so route options are more limited.

However, Thomas said Eurobus is best suited for independent travelers who wish to hit the major attractions in Europe without spending a fortune.

"We offer safety, convenience and first-class service at an extremely affordable price," he said. "Bus travel is a great way to tour the Continent because you see Europe at street level.

"Other advantages include the fact that we stop at hotels or hostels in each city, instead of train stations," he added. "And since we keep at least one tour leader aboard every bus, we can offer more personal assistance than you'd receive on the train."

Eurobus utilizes luxury Volvo motor coaches which have restrooms, show travel videos and maintain on-board travel libraries. Trained tour guides are on hand to point out places of interest.

Still, Thomas stresses that Eurobus does not provide organized tours.

"Travelers who want a package tour should buy a package tour. We don't provide meals or arrange side trips," he said. "We offer comfortable, first-class bus travel for the independent traveler."

A major Eurobus selling point is safety, said Thomas.

"We guarantee much better security than trains since only registered Eurobus pass-holders are allowed on board."

Travelers can also send and receive messages from friends and family back home.

"If someone in the U.S. needs to reach a traveler with a valid Eurobus pass, they call our headquarters in London and the message is delivered to the passenger the next time he or she boards a bus," said Thomas.

While in Europe, passengers can check messages on the buses.

Thomas said Eurobus is working to educate American travelers to the fact that bus travel is not slow in Europe.

"One misconception continues that buses are slower than trains," he said.

"But timetables show that bus and rail travel times are comparable. High-speed motorways make Eurobus even faster than the train on some routes."

Current Eurobus capacity is 40,000 seats, according to Thomas. "However, we have the resources to add extra buses and thousands of extra seats within 24 hours whenever needed.

"During the Oktoberfest in Munich we added dozens of extra buses to help shuttle passengers between France and Germany," he recalled. Eurobus also pitched in and helped set up a campground operation outside Munich because hotels were in short supply.

"I've never seen so many happy travelers in all my life. We made a lot of extra effort and took on a lot of added expense, but passengers were overwhelmed and it made for great public relations."

Eurobus stops in Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Holland, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg, Spain, Switzerland and England.

Unlimited passes are as follows: 14-days, $139 (under 27), $189 (over 26); 1 month $199 (under 27), $260 (over 26); 2 months, $250 (under 27), $325 (over 26); 3 months $325 (under 27), $400 (over 26). For more info call Eurotrips toll-free at 1-800-517-7778. Or write Eurotrips, PO Box 1288, Lake Worth, FL 33460-1288. Tel: [phone]. Fax: [phone].

CONTACT: International Features, Lake Worth

Byron Lutz, 407/482-8320 or 800/517-7778