Megabus, the budget arm of Stagecoach, has announced that as of September it will be providing passengers with the opportunity to climb into a bunk on overnight services between London and Glasgow. The low-cost sleeper coach service will be the first in the UK and will be trialled throughout August.

The refurbished coaches have been fitted with berths which will have a duvet, blanket and pillow as well as a curtain and a reading light. There are 24 berths and seats on each of the three coaches which will initially go into service up and down the M1.

Customers will also be provided with a pack containing an eye mask, a toothbrush and toothpaste. Chief executive of Stagecoach, Sir Brian Souter, said there had been an increase in demand for Megabus’s overnight services and providing sleeping facilities was the next logical step. He added that because the coaches would travel from and to the centre of Glasgow and London they were a viable alternative to flying.

The service will be provided every night of the week. The coaches will depart London at 23.59 and arrive in Glasgow at 8.05; they will also leave from Glasgow at 23.15 and arrive in London at 07.20.

Coulter said he only way to gage how popular the services would be was to put them on the road and find out. Tickets for the sleeper coaches will cost as little as £1 in addition to the booking fee. Ticket prices for the sleeper service on ScotRail start at £19.