Fed up with the prices of trains and flights to Liverpool, a ‘red’ fan has bought a bus, “the cheapest in the UK”, and will charge passengers a pound to travel from Liverpool to Paris for the Champions League final seen against Real Madrid.
Since it was announced that the final of the tournament would be played by Real Madrid and Liverpool, the prices of planes, trains and ferries to France have risen by the day, with the cost of the Paris hotels, which in no way fall under the 100 pounds (125 euros), so some fans have had to make up their minds to go to the French capital.
Loyal Liverpool fan Simon Wilson took the initiative and bought the cheapest bus he could find on Google. “I have one that looks like a school bus from the 50s,” Wilson told the Liverpool Echo.
“I remember in Madrid watching them charge real barbarity to the fans who wanted to go to the city. People who are real fans and who couldn’t go to the game because the prices were too high,” he explained.
This prompted Wilson to take his car and drive from Liverpool to Paris, across the English Channel, so it’s not the first time he’s attempted a similar feat, but now he wants to move on.
“I thought about taking my Skoda again, but there is hardly room for two more people. So I wanted to do something bigger, something that would help more people. I googled the cheapest bus out there and bought it. I also bought several stickers and put them on to set the mood. To give you an idea, the stickers cost more than the bus,” said the fan.
When Simon decided to put the idea of the bus on social networks and that he would only charge one pound to fans who decided to take the trip with him, he received thousands of requests.
“It’s normal. It’s a weekend with school holidays and a few days before the Queen’s Day holiday. There are no ships to the Netherlands, all the transport has already been arranged. It is a nightmare to go to Paris,” explains Simon, who starts the journey on Thursday.
From Liverpool they drive to Dover, on the English coast, where they take the ferry to Calais. Paris will be the next destination, before we see the final and return to Anfield on Sunday, perhaps in time to see Liverpool’s champions parade, who will win or lose the final, to celebrate the two cups that have been won this season.
“For me it’s about helping people. Petrol has cost me over £1,500 (1,800 euros) and drivers (two in turn) have to pay. Add to this insurance. It’s a small fortune and we only charge people a pound for it. Hopefully we get as many people as possible. Our only goal is that people can go to the final in an affordable way and have the experience of a lifetime.”
Nevertheless, Simon also brings some common sense into the crazy drive from Liverpool. “It gives me confidence that the man who sold me the bus seemed trustworthy, but hey, until we’re there we can’t claim victory.”
Source: El heraldo
Jason Jack is an experienced technology journalist and author at The Nation View. With a background in computer science and engineering, he has a deep understanding of the latest technology trends and developments. He writes about a wide range of technology topics, including artificial intelligence, machine learning, software development, and cybersecurity.
