Glasgow Airport Link
Encyclopedia
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.
. 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, which was announced on 1 June that year, with a start date of 9 July, and subsequently route 905 was withdrawn.
Fairline Coaches revived their airport service, and ran it independently, again using the route number 905. This is the Glasgow Airport Link.
From 11 August 2008, the service was taken over by First Glasgow
and named AirLink, running as their service 757, operating a revised route that goes along the Clydeside Express Way to the SECC and then city centre, instead of stopping at the hotels in the Kelvingrove area of the West End, that route is now taken by the 747 service The timetable and frequency have remained largely unchanged. Existing Glasgow Airport Link long-term tickets were accepted on the First service until 30 September 2008.
s. These varied in age, but most were newer models; most of them were also used on Fairline's share of the previous Route 905, and have been repainted silver.
The route is as follows:
Airport bus
An airport bus, or airport shuttle bus or airport shuttle is a bus or coach used to transport people to/from, or within airports. These vehicles will usually be equipped with larger luggage space, and incorporate special branding....
which also looped through the centre of the city
Glasgow city centre
Glasgow city centre is the central business district of Glasgow, Scotland. Is bounded by the High Street to the east, the River Clyde to the south and the M8 motorway to the west and north which was built through the Townhead, Charing Cross, Cowcaddens and Anderston areas in the 1960s...
in Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
. The service provided a direct connection to the airport
Glasgow International Airport
Glasgow International Airport is an international airport in Scotland, located west of Glasgow city centre, near the towns of Paisley and Renfrew in Renfrewshire...
for hotels, tourist destinations, shopping areas, convention and conference facilities, the bus terminal and numerous other locations, in contrast to the Glasgow Flyer
Glasgow Flyer
The Glasgow Flyer was a branded airport bus service in Glasgow, Scotland. It connected Glasgow Airport to central Glasgow, operating as a shuttle bus via the M8 motorway. In Glasgow city centre it operated from the Buchanan bus station, also calling at Glasgow's two mainline railway termini...
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 CitylinkScottish Citylink
Scottish Citylink Coaches Ltd is a long distance express coach operator in Scotland and the Republic of Ireland . The company was formed as a subsidiary of Scottish Transport Group in June 1985...
. 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
Arriva Scotland West
Arriva Scotland West Ltd is a bus operating subsidiary of Arriva based in Inchinnan, near Paisley, Scotland, trading simply as Arriva. It is currently the group's sole operation in Scotland.-Operation:...
.
In 2007, the service was replaced by the Arriva operated Glasgow Flyer
Glasgow Flyer
The Glasgow Flyer was a branded airport bus service in Glasgow, Scotland. It connected Glasgow Airport to central Glasgow, operating as a shuttle bus via the M8 motorway. In Glasgow city centre it operated from the Buchanan bus station, also calling at Glasgow's two mainline railway termini...
, which was announced on 1 June that year, with a start date of 9 July, and subsequently route 905 was withdrawn.
Fairline Coaches revived their airport service, and ran it independently, again using the route number 905. This is the Glasgow Airport Link.
From 11 August 2008, the service was taken over by First Glasgow
First Glasgow
First Glasgow is the largest bus company serving the Greater Glasgow area in, Scotland. It forms part of FirstGroup, a company operating transport services across the British Isles and in North America...
and named AirLink, running as their service 757, operating a revised route that goes along the Clydeside Express Way to the SECC and then city centre, instead of stopping at the hotels in the Kelvingrove area of the West End, that route is now taken by the 747 service The timetable and frequency have remained largely unchanged. Existing Glasgow Airport Link long-term tickets were accepted on the First service until 30 September 2008.
Vehicles used
The service was operated by a fleet of Optare SoloOptare Solo
The Optare Solo is a low-floor midibus manufactured by Optare in Leeds, UK since 1997. The name "Solo" is a play on the low-floor status of the bus, the manufacturer believing its vehicle having an entrance that is "so low" from the floor, namely 200 mm with kneeling suspension.The innovative...
s. These varied in age, but most were 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:
Departing airport
- Glasgow AirportGlasgow International AirportGlasgow International Airport is an international airport in Scotland, located west of Glasgow city centre, near the towns of Paisley and Renfrew in Renfrewshire...
, stance 2 - Govan Bus StationGovan subway stationGovan subway station is a station serving the area of Govan in Glasgow, Scotland. It is located on the south side of the River Clyde. Just to the south of the station is the main depot and test track for the Glasgow Subway. The station is located near the historic Govan Old Parish Church.This...
- Glasgow Science CentreGlasgow Science CentreGlasgow Science Centre is a visitor attraction located on the south bank of the River Clyde in Glasgow, Scotland. It is a purpose-built science centre composed of three principal buildings which are the Science Mall, an IMAX cinema and the Glasgow Tower...
- SECCScottish Exhibition and Conference CentreThe Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre , located on the north bank of the River Clyde, in Glasgow, is Scotland's largest exhibition centre....
- Sauchiehall StreetSauchiehall StreetSauchiehall Street is one of the main shopping/business streets in the city centre of Glasgow, Scotland. Along with Buchanan Street and Argyle Street, it forms the main shopping area of Glasgow, containing the majority of Glasgow's high street and chain stores.Although commonly associated with the...
, Derby Street - Renfrew Street, Thistle Hotel
- Buchanan bus stationBuchanan bus stationBuchanan Bus Station is the main bus terminus in Glasgow, Scotland.The bus station is the terminus for journeys between the city and other towns in United Kingdom and international journeys. It was originally built in 1977, close to the former site of Buchanan Street railway station which was...
, stance 45
Departing city centre
- Buchanan bus stationBuchanan bus stationBuchanan Bus Station is the main bus terminus in Glasgow, Scotland.The bus station is the terminus for journeys between the city and other towns in United Kingdom and international journeys. It was originally built in 1977, close to the former site of Buchanan Street railway station which was...
, stance 45 - North Hanover Streetm, for Queen Street stationGlasgow Queen Street railway stationGlasgow Queen Street is a railway station in Glasgow, Scotland, the smaller of the city's two main line railway termini and the third-busiest station in Scotland. It is between George Street to the south and Cathedral Street Bridge to the north, at the northern end of Queen Street adjacent to...
- George SquareGeorge SquareGeorge Square is the principal civic square in the city of Glasgow, Scotland. It is named after King George III.-Historical development:George Square was laid out in 1781, part of the innovative Georgian central grid plan that initially spanned from Stockwell Street east to Buchanan Street—which...
, for tourist information - St Vincent Place, Buchanan Street
- Wellington Street, Holm Street
- Argyle StreetArgyle StreetArgyle Street is the name of a street in many cities and towns. Notable among these are:Australia*Argyle Street, the Rocks, Sydney*Argyle Street, Hobart, Tasmania*Argyle Street, Fitzroy, MelbourneCanada*Argyll Road, Edmonton...
, Washington Street - SECCScottish Exhibition and Conference CentreThe Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre , located on the north bank of the River Clyde, in Glasgow, is Scotland's largest exhibition centre....
- Glasgow Science CentreGlasgow Science CentreGlasgow Science Centre is a visitor attraction located on the south bank of the River Clyde in Glasgow, Scotland. It is a purpose-built science centre composed of three principal buildings which are the Science Mall, an IMAX cinema and the Glasgow Tower...
- Govan Bus StationGovan subway stationGovan subway station is a station serving the area of Govan in Glasgow, Scotland. It is located on the south side of the River Clyde. Just to the south of the station is the main depot and test track for the Glasgow Subway. The station is located near the historic Govan Old Parish Church.This...
- Glasgow AirportGlasgow International AirportGlasgow International Airport is an international airport in Scotland, located west of Glasgow city centre, near the towns of Paisley and Renfrew in Renfrewshire...
, stance 2