Glenfarg Community Transport Group (GCTG) is a Scottish Charity (SC052068) established by the Community Council to address public transport challenges. The group, managed by a board of six trustees and supported by five salaried drivers and fifteen volunteer drivers, operates The 55 Bus Service in a Public Social Partnership with Perth and Kinross Council. This service runs hourly, six days a week, 11 times daily in each direction. Initially operating between Glenfarg and Kinross, the route has been extended to Perth.

The 55 Glenfarg to Kinross service was the first phase, with the extension to Perth marking the second phase. The proposed third phase aims to serve West Kinross-shire, while the final stages will extend coverage to the rest of Kinross-shire and include evening and weekend services. The ultimate goal is to create a cohesive local bus service that connects with mainline services at Kinross Park and Ride, providing a viable alternative to car travel.

GCTG was initially set up to offer traditional Community Transport activities, such as organising outings and providing buses for local groups to hire. This serves as a backup for the service bus, with a pool of buses and volunteer drivers available to ensure business continuity. Recognising that a traditional fixed-route bus service would face similar issues as past operators, GCTG consulted the community to understand their needs. The consultation revealed that many residents lacked transport to neighbouring towns, highlighting a large unmet need.

In response, GCTG designed a flexible service combining fixed routes with deviations, or “wiggles,” to serve previously unserved areas and assist those with mobility issues who struggle to reach bus stops. The service utilises sixteen-seat minibuses operated under Section 22 licences. Initially, bookings were made via telephone, but the service has now introduced the MooveFlexi/Liftango App.

Lothian’s Airlink 100 Service offers vital sustainable surface access between Edinburgh city centre and Edinburgh Airport, providing an affordable and convenient alternative to car travel. The service runs every 10 minutes during the day and operates 24/7, 365 days a year, with a single adult journey priced at £5.50. Airlink is included in weekly contactless capping and Ridacard season tickets, making it an excellent option for regular travellers, including airport staff and visitors.

The service utilises modern tri-axle Euro 6 buses that are fully accessible and equipped with luxury seating and enhanced luggage space. Passengers benefit from free Wi-Fi, USB charging, and real-time passenger information displays that include flight details and security waiting times, improving customer confidence and providing a vital integration function.

Customer service is a crucial focus for Airlink, with 58 highly trained drivers who undergo bespoke training to ensure they have detailed knowledge of the city. The drivers maintain positive working relationships with airport staff. Additionally, six ambassadors are stationed at Edinburgh Airport to welcome customers, provide ticketing information, support sales, and assist with travel inquiries.

In 2023, Airlink 100 carried over 2 million passengers, earning TripAdvisor’s Travellers Choice Award and maintaining a 4.5-star rating on the TripAdvisor website with over 1,700 reviews. This service offers a highly convenient and value-for-money travel option, contributing significantly to sustainable transportation and enjoying strong customer satisfaction.

Clydeflyer, operated by McGill’s, has demonstrated significant growth in passenger numbers, defying industry trends with a 20% post-pandemic increase. In 2023, customer patronage grew by an impressive 23%. The service’s regularity, reliability, and value have been vital factors in this rise, potentially contributing to a mode shift from cars.

Clydeflyer operates at 15-minute frequencies, connecting the seaside town of Largs to Braehead Shopping Centre and Glasgow City Centre. This route is among McGill’s busiest, offering free Wi-Fi on modern, high-quality vehicles with 99.9% reliability. These features make it a popular choice for Glasgow-bound commuters who rely on the service to get to work on time. Additionally, the scenic route, free from window advertising, attracts many leisure riders.

The service is cost-effective, with fares significantly lower than train travel. A Plus Day Saver ticket costs £8.30, nearly 25% less than a day return between Glasgow and Largs by train. Weekly unlimited bus travel is 48% cheaper than a rail season ticket, making it an attractive option for regular commuters.

Clydeflyer’s ability to attract and retain passengers through its reliable, affordable service and modern amenities underscores its strong performance and popularity among travellers.

McGill’s Unilink service, operated by its Midland Bluebird division, connects Stirling city centre with the University of Stirling, demonstrating a tailored approach to meet the specific needs of students. Recognising the unique travel demands of student life, Unilink runs night buses between the city centre and campus until 03:15 six nights a week and offers departures up to every eight minutes during term time.

The 2023 relaunch of Unilink introduced a new dedicated livery to enhance its visibility. Easy-to-follow bus stance information displays have been installed at Stirling’s Goosecroft Bus Station and the University. The new, distinctive Unilink branding extends to the route’s online information portal and a full-colour brochure distributed widely at the University.

Midland Bluebird has implemented measures such as stationing team members at key stops during busy times to sell tickets off-bus and regulate the timetable to improve service reliability. These efforts have led to a 38% increase in customer journeys between September and November 2023 compared to the same period in the previous year.

Additionally, focus groups with the student union and stakeholder boards with the university community, including Vice Presidents, are scheduled to be introduced this year. This initiative aims to develop stakeholder relations and gather meaningful user feedback, further enhancing the service.

The Unilink service exemplifies McGill’s commitment to providing reliable, tailored transportation solutions that cater to the specific needs of its primary demographic, resulting in increased usage and customer satisfaction.

Scotrail has extended its commitment to integrated transport solutions with the introduction of the Glasgow Station Bus Link, a zero-emissions shuttle bus connecting Glasgow Central, Glasgow Queen Street, and Buchanan Bus Station. This service operates seven days a week, enhancing connectivity between local and national rail, bus, and coach services. The bus link employs the same Scotrail livery, ensuring easy identification for passengers.

The service is accessible to all, with free travel for those holding a rail ticket or concession pass. It features brand-new, fully electric vehicles with low floors and raised kerbs at all three stops for easy access. This design supports users with mobility and sensory impairments, those carrying heavy luggage, and travellers unfamiliar with Glasgow city centre or with young children.

The Glasgow Station Bus Link’s inclusive nature addresses the needs of the 70% of users who reported difficulty walking, travelling with luggage, or feeling safer using the service, according to a Scotrail survey conducted in November 2023. This initiative highlights Scotrail’s efforts to create a more inclusive, integrated, and low-carbon transport network in Scotland.

Introduced under public ownership, the Glasgow Station Bus Link exemplifies how more comprehensive benefits, beyond commercial considerations, can drive innovative transport solutions. This crucial service underscores Scotrail’s role in fostering seamless and sustainable travel options for a diverse range of passengers.

Scotrail has extended its commitment to integrated transport solutions with the introduction of the Glasgow Station Bus Link, a zero-emissions shuttle bus connecting Glasgow Central, Glasgow Queen Street, and Buchanan Bus Station. This service operates seven days a week, enhancing connectivity between local and national rail, bus, and coach services. The bus link employs the same Scotrail livery, ensuring easy identification for passengers.

The service is accessible to all, with free travel for those holding a rail ticket or concession pass. It features brand-new, fully electric vehicles with low floors and raised kerbs at all three stops for easy access. This design supports users with mobility and sensory impairments, those carrying heavy luggage, and travellers unfamiliar with Glasgow city centre or with young children.

The Glasgow Station Bus Link’s inclusive nature addresses the needs of the 70% of users who reported difficulty walking, travelling with luggage, or feeling safer using the service, according to a Scotrail survey conducted in November 2023. This initiative highlights Scotrail’s efforts to create a more inclusive, integrated, and low-carbon transport network in Scotland.

Introduced under public ownership, the Glasgow Station Bus Link exemplifies how more comprehensive benefits, beyond commercial considerations, can drive innovative transport solutions. This crucial service underscores Scotrail’s role in fostering seamless and sustainable travel options for a diverse range of passengers.

Stagecoach and St Andrews University have established a partnership to reduce car journeys to the campus and encourage on-site presence post-COVID-19. This collaboration involves a subsidised ticket scheme for staff and students, excluding those under 22 eligible for free travel. The scheme offers a 75% discount on tickets, funded through a commercial partnership where the University covers 50% of the ticket value, and Stagecoach provides a 25% commercial discount. Customers access the discounted tickets via a corporate version of the Stagecoach Bus App and present their mobile ticket to the driver upon boarding.

Launched in late 2022 for an initial six-month period, the University’s communications team promoted the scheme, while Stagecoach East Scotland provided on-site support for app users and technical queries. Analysis of the pilot showed that 26% of staff and 6% of students utilised the scheme. Additionally, 34% of participants switched from car to bus for their commute, saving an average of 206kg CO2e per day, equivalent to a 19.1% carbon reduction. Fare-paying passenger numbers increased by 6%.

Due to the scheme’s success, the partnership was extended for another six months with revised reimbursement rates while maintaining the 75% discount for customers. The partnership was further extended in November 2023. As of 1st February 2024, the scheme remains active and popular among St Andrews University staff and students. In 2023, over 21,000 tickets were purchased, saving participants over £793,000 in bus travel costs throughout the year.

Stagecoach has demonstrated its strengths in market and customer research with the launch of the ‘Aviemore Adventurer’ bus service on 22nd May 2023. The service was developed in response to research indicating capacity issues at the Cairngorm Mountain car park and a growing preference among visitors for multi-modal travel options, including bus, walking, and cycling. The research also highlighted that visitors frequently engaged in outdoor sports and activities.

The service utilises high-quality vehicles equipped to accommodate bike and ski storage and luggage. The vehicles feature a strong brand and livery, designed to be easily identifiable to visitors unfamiliar with Stagecoach. The green colour scheme reflects the outdoor environment and the sustainability of bus travel compared to diesel/petrol cars. The livery also depicts the Cairngorm Mountains, popular local activities such as cycling and skiing, and local wildlife like deer.

By January 2024, the ‘Aviemore Adventurer’ had transported nearly 20,000 passengers, reducing car park congestion and carbon emissions by eliminating almost 5,000 car journeys, based on an average of four people per car. During the peak months of July to September, the service carried an average of 1,200 passengers per day, often reaching full capacity. Passenger numbers continue to rise.

Feedback from local authorities, passengers, and other stakeholders has been overwhelmingly positive, with praise for the ability to take bikes on board, the visibility of the brand, and the frequency of the service. This initiative mirrors the success of Scotrail’s Highland Explorer, showcasing effective branding, high-quality vehicles, and attention to customer needs.