A new service that will connect Basingstoke and Camberley to Heathrow Airport has been announced by operator Newbury & District, launching with introductory fares of £1 each way. The limited stop Flightline services 730 and 731 will begin on 21 August.
The new coach service will start from Basingstoke railway station and will stop at Old Basing, Frimley, Camberley, Bagshot and Heathrow Airport Terminal 5, offering local connections as well as long distance journeys to the airport. The operator has developed the new service in partnership with Heathrow Airport to help both travellers and the airport’s staff travel to and from the airport more sustainably. At the same time, the company says it will be a more cost-effective way of travelling to Heathrow with the extended ULEZ zone in London starting from August 29.
Robert Williams, Chief Executive Officer of Newbury & District, said: “Our aim is to fill several gaps that we have identified in the current bus and train network along the M3/A30 corridor. These are relatively easy to do by car, but difficult by bus or train until now. The service is not just for links to the airport, but all the connections in between, such as Basingstoke to Camberley.
“Newbury & District sees this as a hybrid of a bus, coach and train service and a very high profile and exciting project for our company as well as the local area. We have four brand new coaches on order which will enter service in October and in the meantime we will be using modern double-deck buses with high back seats, USB charging and free WiFi.
“For the first two weeks of the service, Flightline 730/731 will have an incredible offer of just £1 for any single journey regardless of distance. Flightline 730 and 731 will run up to every hour throughout the day from early to late making it the perfect option for travelling to Heathrow for flights or for workers at the airport.”
Matthew Wooll, Route Development Lead for Surface Access Strategy at Heathrow said: “This new Flightline service is a fantastic addition to Heathrow’s public transport network. We want all of Heathrow’s passengers and colleagues to have access to good public transport at the times they need it. Travelling more sustainably will help reduce congestion and emissions, and Flightline 730/731 will also help keep the cost of travelling down, through some great-value tickets including discounts if you work at the airport.”
