Glasgow Airport Link

Infobox Bus transit
name = Glasgow Airport Link

logo_size = 250


image_size =
image_caption = A Fairline Solo outside Buchanan bus station.
company_slogan =
parent =
founded =
headquarters = 331 Charles Street, Glasgow
locale =
service_area =
service_type = Airport bus
alliance =
routes = Service 905
destinations = Glasgow City Centre
SECC
Glasgow Airport
stops =
hubs =
stations =
lounge =
fleet = Optare Solo
ridership =
fuel_type =
operator = Fairline Coaches
ceo =
website = [http://www.glasgowairportlink.com/ www.glasgowairportlink.com]

Glasgow Airport Link was an airport bus which also looped through the centre of the city in Glasgow, Scotland. The service provided a direct connection to the airport for hotels, tourist destinations, shopping areas, convention and conference facilities, the bus terminal and numerous other locations, in contrast to the Glasgow Flyer which is designed to provide a direct express service between the city's transportation hubs.

History

Starting in 1991, Fairline Coaches originally operated a route 905 bus service to Glasgow Airport under contract to Scottish Citylink. [ [http://1276-busstop.fotopic.net/p39464470.html Fotopic image - A Fairline Coaches bus operating the old 905] Accessed 24 April 2008] All of the buses were in the Scottish Citylink yellow and blue colours, although the timetable stated that sometimes buses in Fairline's livery may be used. Some journeys were run by Arriva Scotland West.

In 2007, the service was replaced by the Arriva operated Glasgow Flyer, which was announced on 1 June that year, with a start date of 9th July, and subsequently route 905 was withdrawn. [ [http://www.arriva.co.uk/arriva/en/media_centre/press_releases/2007/2007_05_01/ Arriva press release - "Glasgow Flyer announced"] Accessed 24 April 2008]

Fairline Coaches revived their airport service, and ran it independently, again using the route number 905. This is the Glasgow Airport Link.

Since 11 August 2008, this service has was taken over by First Glasgow service 757, operating a slightly revised route within Glasgow City centre although timetable and frequency have remaned largly unchanged.

Vehicles used

The service was operated by a fleet of Optare Solos. These vary in age, but most are newer models; most of them were also used on Fairline's share of the previous route 905, and have been repainted silver.

Route

The basic daytime frequency of the service was every 20 minutes. The first journey started at 05:50, and the route ended at 23:59. In Glasgow City Centre, the route followed a "loop", connecting various parts, and special fares were available on this section. On average, journeys take 35 minutes towards the city centre, and slightly less on their return, due to the one-way system. The journey was over 15 minutes longer than the more direct Glasgow Flyer. The route is as follows: [ [http://www.glasgowairportlink.com/images/timetables2.pdf Glasgow Airport Link - Timetable and route map] Accessed 24 April 2008]

Departing airport

*Glasgow Airport, stance 2
*Govan Bus Station
*Glasgow Science Centre
*SECC
*Sauchiehall Street, Derby Street
*Renfrew Street, Thistle Hotel
*Buchanan bus station, stance 45

Departing city centre

*Buchanan bus station, stance 45
*North Hanover Streetm, for Queen Street station
*George Square, for tourist information
*St Vincent Place, Buchanan Street
*Wellington Street, Holm Street
*Argyle Street, Washington Street
*SECC
*Glasgow Science Centre
*Govan Bus Station
*Glasgow Airport, stance 2

ee also

*747 AirLink
*Glasgow Flyer

References

External links

* [http://www.glasgowairportlink.com/ Glasgow Airport Link]
* [http://www.fairlinecoaches.co.uk/ Fairline Coaches]