The fleet of 10 ADL Enviro200s features a luxury specification and reflects a 30% growth in patronage over the last five years
First Glasgow has launched a new fleet of buses on its Glasgow Airport Express service.
The operator has invested £2.1m in 10 11.8m Alexander Dennis Ltd (ADL) Euro 6 Enviro200s and re-branded the service with a bespoke eye-catching new livery and a new logo.
The vehicles’ matching interiors include leather trimmed coach-style seating with extra legroom, air-conditioning, wood-effect flooring and under-seat airline style lighting. The seats feature specially designed fabric which is exclusive to the Glasgow Airport Express service.
The Glasgow Airport Express buses also feature complimentary 4G WiFi, USB charging points and audio-visual display screens, providing a tailored welcome video combined with next stop information and announcements.
The vehicles also benefit from stop-start engine technology, which ADL said it has introduced across its range.
First Glasgow has also upgraded Stance 1 at Glasgow Airport, where customers board the service. Benefits include improved signage and a quicker queuing system with customer agents helping passengers, answering questions and selling tickets at the stance to speed up boarding times.
The fleet’s dedicated team of staff has been issued with new branded black and white uniforms accented by neck scarves and ties in same signal violet shade that forms the basis of the new bus livery.
Previously known as the Glasgow Shuttle, the Glasgow Airport Express transports passengers from Glasgow Airport to the city centre in 15 minutes. Buses operate 24 hours a day seven days a week for 364 days of the year, with a main day frequency of up to 10 minutes.
Passenger numbers on the airport service have risen from 12,000 to 15,500 per week – an increase of almost 30% since First Glasgow began operating the route in January 2011. At the beginning of the year, First Glasgow’s contract to deliver the route was renewed until 2021.
Fiona Kerr, Managing Director of First Glasgow, said: “We’re really excited about the launch of our new Glasgow Airport Express fleet.
“Our sophisticated new fleet is designed to give customers an experience that reflects the very best in quality, design and comfort, which together with excellent customer service represents outstanding value for money. I’m really delighted with the look, feel and added extras that we’ve fitted to the vehicles.
“I believe that the re-brand coupled with the state-of-the-art new vehicles makes the Glasgow Airport Express the best bus service in Scotland.
“I’m very pleased with the strong growth we’ve already achieved on the Glasgow Airport route and as our investment in our next generation Glasgow Airport Express fleet shows, we’re determined to build on our success and encourage more people to use the service.
“As a Scottish-based business, I’m extremely proud that our Glasgow Airport Express buses were manufactured in Falkirk by another Scottish-based business who worked closely with us to deliver a bus designed around our specific requirements.
Colin Robertson, Chief Executive of Alexander Dennis Limited, said: “We are delighted that ADL is First Glasgow’s sole bus supplier this year. We take this as a ringing endorsement of our product quality, aftermarket support and partnership with the team at First Glasgow.
“We have collaborated closely to deliver these brand new vehicles which combine the latest Euro 6 engines with cutting edge smart technology to further reduce CO2 emissions and optimise fuel economy. The premium interior specification with high back luxury seating, ambient lighting and USB ports at all seats will contribute to a first class passenger experience.”
John McConnell, Head of Commercial at Glasgow Airport, said: “With air passenger numbers continuing to grow at Glasgow Airport, we welcome First Glasgow’s investment in the Glasgow Airport route and its commitment to encouraging more travellers to use the service.
“The sleek design and enhanced facilities offered by the Glasgow Airport Express will help to improve the air passenger experience and boost connectivity to Glasgow and the wider Central Belt region.”
