Would this be allowed on a National Express coach?

[CatastrophicCat]

DD(14) needs to travel from Birmingham to Manchester, she will be alone but being met off the coach the other end. It's the first time she will have done it on her own and she's a bit anxious about who she might end up sitting next to so I'm wondering whether we could book the seat next to her as well as her own so it stays unoccupied? Can't find anything on the website and also don't know whether this would be bad coach etiquette

Of course, as that's what the OP is all about. Booking (and paying) for both seats, and asking how to ensure no-one else sits in the second seat.

You can't overbook a coach, they can't sell more seats than there are on the coach.

@sashh they can

if a driver notices there are seats he can call control and they can adjust the no of tickets available. Especially if it’s a longer journey with more stops

Thanks for all replies, she's done the journey on a few occasions on the same day/time she'll be travelling (just never alone before) and the coach is always half empty so think it'll be ok on the over booking front. Just wanted to check it wasn't against the rules or a massive coach faux pas or anything really!

She's fine sitting next to whoever on public transport generally, think she's just a bit nervous as it's her first time doing a longer journey solo so I'm trying to find ways to make her feel more confident. She's well able to speak up if she needs help and it's a daytime journey but she intends to sit as close to the driver as possible anyway and put her bag on the empty seat so hopefully she won't have any problems.

I sound completely chilled about it don't I but the truth is I will chew my fingernails the whole time. It's bloody hard letting them start to have some independence but she's ready so I know I have to be too. Thanks again for everyone's replies, I'm sorry some of you have had such horrible experiences.

Train strikes are due

The coaches are always packed during strikes!

She's too young to do it alone apparently so I'd re-think it

Too young according to who? National Express website says 14 and over can travel unaccompanied so not sure what you mean? Will keep an eye on train strikes of course, it's not for a few weeks yet though.

The driver knows how many people have booked to get on at each stop. Some stops do not require an advance booking, so at that point, the driver might let extra people on, knowing that there were no-shows at a previous stop.

There's only one other stop on this route at Manchester Airport so she could probably cope if someone sat there for the last few minutes, she'll be almost there by then.

I don't think you could guarantee the seat would stay empty. I would second the idea that she tries to choose her seat mate - aim for a sensible-looking woman. I'm too middle-aged and dowdy to get harassed on the coach nowadays but I've often seen troublesome people onboard bothering others - a bloke who was telling anyone who'd listen his tedious story how he was 'on the run' from the police was a particular lowlight.