Scottish Citylink has this month introduced new luxury vehicles worth around £2million to three of its routes across Scotland.
Four new Scania Irizar i6s coaches are now in service on Scottish Citylink’s route between Glasgow and Skye, while two more i6s have also been introduced on its service between Glasgow and Campbeltown. The six new vehicles have been introduced in partnership with West Coast Motors, which operates both routes on behalf of Citylink and already has extensive experience of using Irizar products on its Citylink services.
The vehicles include seat back tables, extra leg room, USB charging points and audio and visual next-stop announcements, and are also the first Citylink vehicles to have digital mirrors that are expected to further improve safety and improve the aerodynamic performance of the coach. Following a number of weight-saving measures, Irizar says the new coach is now 950kg lighter and uses up to 13% less fuel than its predecessors.
Scottish Citylink offers three return services per day in each direction between Glasgow and Skye, eight between Glasgow and Fort William, plus five return services a day between Glasgow and Campbeltown during its summer timetable period. The new vehicles represent a 12% increase in capacity for Citylink’s customers in Skye.
In addition, the operator has partnered with Inverness-based D&E Coaches to introduce a new 61-seat Mercedes Tourismo coach on its route between Inverness and Ullapool. On-board features again include seat back tables and USB charging points, along with live map monitoring and live tracking during the journey. Citylink offers two return services per day between Ullapool and Inverness during its summer timetable, which runs until 15 October, connecting with ferries to the Western Isles.
Scottish Citylink Operations Director Simone Smith said: “This is an exciting investment in these well-used and important connecting routes. The partnership with West Coast Motors between Glasgow and Skye and Glasgow and Campbeltown has resulted in strong passenger growth on those routes and it’s fantastic to be able to introduce these truly state-of-the-art coaches which are at the cutting edge of coach design.
“We are also delighted to introduce a new, modern coach with more comfort and customer features than before between Inverness and Ullapool, in partnership with D&E Coaches who we have worked with for many years. We hope our customers on these three routes enjoy travelling in greater comfort and style and look forward to welcoming them on board in the coming weeks and months.”
West Coast Motors’ General Manager Liz Logan added: “We are delighted to continue our fleet investment by introducing four new high specification vehicles to Citylink’s Glasgow to Campbeltown and Glasgow to Skye routes. Both services offer a vital life link to many people living in our rural communities as well as offering visitors the opportunity to see some of Scotland’s most scenic locations in a green, easy and comfortable way.”
