Arriva invests £1.5m in new buses

Arriva Scotland West has won a BAA contract to operate a high frequency bus service (GlasgowFlyer – service 500) from Glasgow Airport to Glasgow City Centre via the M8 motorway.

The venture represents a major investment by the bus company who will be spending £1.5 million on a new fleet of buses for the service.

The GlasgowFlyer, which will be introduced on Monday 9 July 2007, will be provided by a fleet of 11 brand new vehicles.  Arriva hope this new service will serve not only current airport bus users – airport staff, commuters and tourists – but also encourage people who would normally travel to the airport by car to take the bus instead and help reduce congestion.

To make it easier for passengers the service will operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with eight buses an hour at peak times.

To cater for all its customers' needs Arriva is offering a wide ticket choice, with a single costing £3.95, £5.95 for a return, £6.30 for an open return and for the more frequent flyer a 10 journey ticket costing £28.

Liz Esnouf, director and general manager for Arriva Scotland West, said:

We are pleased to be introducing this new service to the airport. We have tried to make the timetable as user – friendly as possible. We hope the people of Glasgow make good use of the service and see the benefits of this premium bus service.

Gordon Dewar, managing director of Glasgow Airport said:

We are delighted that Arriva is to launch a 24 hour bus service linking Glasgow Airport and the centre of Glasgow. This is a first for Glasgow Airport, and will make the journey to and from the airport that much easier for passengers. We welcome Arriva’s investment in this service and, particularly, their commitment to utilise an entirely new fleet of low emission vehicles.

He added:

Promoting public transport, and reducing private car use, is a key priority for BAA Glasgow, particularly as the region’s road become ever more congested. This new service will help us deliver this important objective.

Information on tickets and services will shortly be available from Arriva’s website – www.arrivabus.co.uk or SPT travel centres.