Five Scania Irizar i6 coaches for Scottish Citylink and West Coast Motors
Five Scania Irizar i6 coaches are to begin serving passengers in Argyll following investment from Scottish Citylink and West Coast Motors.
They will operate on the recently extended Campbeltown to Glasgow service, a joint venture between Scottish Citylink and West Coast Motors, which now offers five return journeys each day.
The 14.2 metre triaxle i6 coaches offer increased leg room, climate control and internal and external CCTV.
The fleet was launched by Sir Brian Souter, chief executive of Stagecoach Group and Colin Craig, managing director of West Coast Motors, at Inveraray Castle – one of the many beauty spots served by the route.
Representatives from Argyll & Bute Council and Hitrans attended the launch as both bodies financially support the Citylink service. Councillors Donnie MacMillan and Al Reay represented Argyll & Bute Council while Ranald Robertson attended on behalf of Hitrans
. The five new coaches – sporting joint Citylink and West Coast Motors livery – will be joined by two more new vehicles before the end of the year. Each coach can seat 59 passengers, or 55 with space for a wheelchair.
This investment is part of a wider fleet renewal across the Scottish Citylink network throughout 2011, adding 23 new coaches at a cost in excess of £4m. By the end of 2011, the average age of vehicles across the network will be reduced to just four years.
Scottish Citylink is a joint venture between Stagecoach and international transport group ComfortDelGro.
Sir Brian Souter said: “This service offers customers good value, high-quality travel and its popularity has shown the bus can be an affordable and reliable alternative to the car.
“By introducing these new vehicles we hope to attract even more people on to our greener, smarter services.”
Colin Craig, managing director of West Coast Motors said: “West Coast Motors is working in partnership with Scottish Citylink to introduce these new vehicles for the Campbeltown – Glasgow service, which will make a real difference to those travelling between Argyll and the central belt.
“The number of passengers taking this route has risen since the timetable was extended from three to five journeys in May. The additional seating capacity means growing demand for the service can be met and the enhanced features will make for a very comfortable ride for everyone.”
