Airlink 100

[figgi_gsm]

Heard a rumour that Lothian are re-launching the Airlink service on the 14th March with the Arrival on the new Wrightbus Eclipse Gemini 2's that have been purchased to replace the Scania Omnicity's currently on the route. Supposidly the new vehicles will have a new livery and WI-FI.

The Airlink service will relaunch on Sunday 14th March 2010.

Taken from the Lothian buses Flikr Page thanks to James Pringle:

- Saturday 13th March 2010.
This will be the LAST DAY for all 15 of Lothian Buses' Scania Vehicles who are stepping down after five years of service to Edinburgh International Airport (2008-2010), and will be your last chance to see these vehicles in the current Airlink Livery before the Launch of the NEW Airlink Vehicles, Livery and Slogan.

The Scania Omnicity vehicles (985-999) will be repainted and given a fresh new interior before returning to the streets of Edinburgh later in the year. - LOOK OUT!!

- Sunday 14th March 2010.
A New Dawn for Lothian Buses' Airlink Service..

A new fleet of 14 Wright Eclipse Gemini 2 Vehicles (937-950), will be released onto the streets of our capital for the First Time in the NEW Airlink Livery and Slogan "Blue Sky Thinking".

These vehicles will feature:-
- Madder and Cream Leather Seating.
- Madder Interior with Cream Handles and Luggage Racks.
- Stylish Wood Flooring throughout the vehicles.
- FREE Wireless Internet Access for all passengers (Wi-Fi).
- Stylish two-tone Blue Exterior Livery with AIRLINK Branding and Slogan.

This is NOT to be missed!
http://cuthbus2.fotopic.net/p63644879.html

Vehicles also have rear LED displays.



Supposidly Lothian want to keep it a secret.

[cabot]

Thats them started using the new buses

[figgi_gsm]

took a wee trip out to EDI on them yesterday. very nice vehicles for 200,000 each. chaos at the airport tho as they shut off the coach park for resurfacing

[cabot]

heard that they cost £215000 each and they are to be fitted with automatic destination announcements via the onboard GPS system therefore bypassing the driver,Seems like the company have pushed the boat out with the specification.

[figgi_gsm]

heard that they cost £215000 each and they are to be fitted with automatic destination announcements via the onboard GPS system therefore bypassing the driver,Seems like the company have pushed the boat out with the specification.

well they werent working on their first day in service. they cost at least £30,000 more than a standard vehicle. as far as im aware they are the most expensive and hight tech vehicle in scotland. supposidly its its gonna have automatic screens at the airlink stops. when thats supposed to happen.

its a good week for lothian. New airlink vehicles and the new "traditional" madder and white livery.

[chrism20]

Yes they are very nice and what they have done with the No. 3 looks really good. It's nice to see the traditional colours making a comeback.

However, considering that the trams are apparently 'on track' or so they keep telling us and that they are going to be the main public transport gateway to the airport, again they keep telling us this especially with the charm offensive reinforcing the fact it goes to the terminal rather than some outpost west of the Gyle so rant over, who the he'll sanctioned the spending on these buses when we have already spent £510m on trams?

Were the old buses clapped out? Some of them were only 58 plates!

[figgi_gsm]

Yes they are very nice and what they have done with the No. 3 looks really good. It's nice to see the traditional colours making a comeback.

However, considering that the trams are apparently 'on track' or so they keep telling us and that they are going to be the main public transport gateway to the airport, again they keep telling us this especially with the charm offensive reinforcing the fact it goes to the terminal rather than some outpost west of the Gyle so rant over, who the he'll sanctioned the spending on these buses when we have already spent £510m on trams?

Were the old buses clapped out? Some of them were only 58 plates!

As part of the contract that Lothian Buses has with BAA is that the buses will be replaced every four years. this happend in late 2006-early 2007 when the old tridents were replaced by the Scania Omnicity's. the new buses were part of an order made by Lothian Buses for 75 Wrightbus Eclipse2's and Gemini2's(the new airport buses) in 2008. Lothian Buses did try to cancel, then postpone the new Airlink vehicles but this would have incurred serious penalties from the manufacturer. The new Airlink Rebrand is to come in line with the rebranding Lothian Buses to a Magazine style logo(LothianBuses.com) and the traditional livery and the new Rebrand for Edinburgh Tours.

Was talking to an Airlink driver on the first day of service with the Gemini2's and he said he preffered them to the Scanias because they were falling to bits.

Lothian Buses have confirmed that the Scania's will be for the 35 Route. will be interesting to see the Scania's in Madder and White Livery.

[chrism20]

Ah, that makes sense then.

Anything other than what is on the 35 currently is a step in the right direction. They are sheds on wheels.

i'm surprised that it took them so long to get the .com bit on them tbh

[figgi_gsm]

Ah, that makes sense then.

Anything other than what is on the 35 currently is a step in the right direction. They are sheds on wheels.

i'm surprised that it took them so long to get the .com bit on them tbh

the vehicles currently on the 35 (Dennis Trident's) were actually ex Airlinks. was talking to an airlink driver on sunday and he said he preffers the new buses cos the scanias were s***e.

[Callum Johnstone]

The new buses are very nice indeed, and are a nice 'filler' while we wait for the trams. After that, I hope Airlink make themselves more relevant by expanding their route network. So, instead of sending every bus through Corstorphine, Murrayfield and terminating at Waverley Bridge, why not extend some to operate down Leith Walk to Ocean Terminal, and down London Road - perhaps to Musselburgh? Another route could extend via the Bridges down to, maybe, Dalkeith.

Once the trams/rail interchange starts there will be less call for these Airlink buses, but the way to make them relevant and fresh would be to think outside the box and vary the routings a bit, offering coverage more widely across the city and even beyond.

[bettingbill]

The new buses are very nice indeed, and are a nice 'filler' while we wait for the trams. After that, I hope Airlink make themselves more relevant by expanding their route network. So, instead of sending every bus through Corstorphine, Murrayfield and terminating at Waverley Bridge, why not extend some to operate down Leith Walk to Ocean Terminal, and down London Road - perhaps to Musselburgh? Another route could extend via the Bridges down to, maybe, Dalkeith.
.

one of your brighter ideas there Callum!

[figgi_gsm]

With Lothian having another service change they bring with it extra journeys on the Airlink from Sunday 4th July 2010.

0400 city centre - edinburgh airport
0430 edinburgh airport - city centre