From 1 October 2017, we will be introducing double deck vehicles to our Skylink 200 service due to increasing customer demand.
The service, which launched in April, now carries over 10,000 customers per week.
The higher-capacity buses for this route will meet the Euro6 environmental standard and have the distinctive Skylink livery.
We will also be rebranding our Service 35 to become Skylink 300. Our investment of £6m, including a £1.5m contribution from the Scottish Green Bus Fund, will see 20 new hybrid buses introduced to the route. This fleet of new buses will have USB charging points, free WiFi, flight departure information and dedicated luggage areas.
Fares to Edinburgh Airport on Skylink 300 will be brought into line with those on our other airport services from this date. Timetable and fares for other parts of the route will remain the same. Single tickets will still be available for journeys between the Airport/Airport Hotel and Maybury – £2.50 adult, £1.50 child.
Richard Hall, Managing Director, said:
We’re delighted with how popular our Edinburgh Airport services are with customers. The introduction of these new and upgraded vehicles across both routes is the right time to simplify the range of options that we offer. Edinburgh Airport is Scotland’s busiest airport and one of the fastest growing airports in the UK, especially for international flights, and we’ll keep working with its management to provide great connections for everyone who uses it.
In the last ten years Edinburgh Airport has invested £219m in new facilities, including £25m on the landside terminal extension and security hall. Lothian aims to provide flyers from the city with convenient and cost-effective options of travel to and from the airport, reducing the pressure from increased traffic on surrounding roads.
Richard Townsend, Edinburgh Airport’s Director of Retail and Property, said:
Making sure people can arrive at the airport and get into our stunning capital as quickly and smoothly as possible is key to a positive experience, and Lothian’s continued support in playing its part in that excellent local transport network is very much welcomed.
Their investment means they can now offer a fleet with the latest technology, including live departure information in a first for any airport service so customers can relax and enjoy the sights as they head back to Scotland’s busiest airport.